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Let's talk newts!

ladypandy1603ladypandy1603 Posts: 17
in Wildlife gardening
Cleaning leaves from my pond at the weekend, I netted two adult newts. It's still freezing over sometimes, are the newts safe?
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  • ladypandy1603ladypandy1603 Posts: 17
    They seemed happy enough☺️ should I break the ice ( on the pond, not between the newts!) Just to be on the safe side?
  • ladypandy1603ladypandy1603 Posts: 17
    Sound advice. I'm sure you are right. They wouldn't be here if they didn't like it 👍
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    We have newts active in our pond all year round, ice or no ice. If you DO want to break the ice, it's better to float a ball in the pond than to bash at the surface.
  • ladypandy1603ladypandy1603 Posts: 17
    Newts normally leave our pond in the late Autumn. We actually had to change the liner in November and there were no newts in the pond then. I was just a little worried that they had returned a little early, but knowing you have them all the time and they can cope with frost is welcome news☺️
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I too have pulled newts out of the pond several times in the past few weeks as I have been scooping out leaves and blanket weed.  The pond has been iced over a handful of times this winter with no obvious detrimental impact on the newts or the rest of the wildlife. 
    Rutland, England
  • ladypandy1603ladypandy1603 Posts: 17
    Thank you Ben, every positive comment makes me feel reassured. Both you and Pansy have been very helpful 😘
  • mikeymustardmikeymustard Posts: 495
    I'm always amazed by the temperatures our amphibs can take; we've had frogs or toads singing to each other all winter, and the newts (smooth newts in our case) have been in the pond since the end of January!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    This winter has been a huge anomaly, but most winters, my pond can have a layer of ice for long periods so I use a little home made doodah made from a piece of polystyrene, with a concave side which is next to the water surface. It's fixed in place with a wire under a rock. It just keeps a small area of water open. 
    The tennis balls don't work for me at all - they just freeze solid!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ladypandy1603ladypandy1603 Posts: 17
    Wow Mikey, that's insane!! I thought they didn't return until March! I confess that I do worry about my pond life far too much. I suppose I just need to let nature take care of itself! Having said that, I am still worried it that Pine pollen from my neighbors tree is going to be detrimental. Any ideas?? 
  • ladypandy1603ladypandy1603 Posts: 17
    Thank you so much for this you guys, it's so nice to find people who are actually interested ☺️
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