If the landlord asks i will say their are newts in the ponds,hopefully they will not make me fill them in. I have newts but i can not tell the difference.I did se a plain one and a black one with orange and black spots on belly. thanks Richard
Are these newts or lizards? 5 small reddish brown in damp earth under stone garden ornament and under plastic planter saucer with water in it for passing wildlife. Both in area of garden with rockery and plant cover. If newts why weren't they in the saucer of water rather than under? If lizards I've never seen them basking on the stones.
It's mid October in North East Scotland. While removing an old stone wall in our woodside garden, we uncovered a 'nest' of about 50 newts, ranging in size from 2cms youngsters to 13cms adults. There is no pond nearby,the burn and loch are half a mile away. If newts breed in water, how did this large group happen to get together? Judging by their orange underside, I imagine they are Smooth.
Reply to Pumble Half a mile is a fair way for newts to crawl. I suspect there is a temporary pool, hollow, rut or ditch somewhere nearer. If there are adults and young, they are obviously breeding close by.
just found a 2 inch long reptile under large stones hibernating. mid brown with an orange stripe the length of its back. felt smooth. what is it anyone ??
We have a small pond with goldfish and frogs. It is a bit wild but obviously healthy as the goldfish breed.
Although for the past five years we have had no frogspawn. I put it down to the fact we moved the pond at that time and maybe they cannot access it as easily. In moving the pond we found a couple of newts that we had never seen before, or since.
This year, however we have lost everyone of our goldfish. I don't think a heron is likely to be the culprit, as the pond has been overgrown with weed, and they were impossible to see. If there was indeed too much weed and the fish died, we should have found their bodies at least, which we didnot. What I did find when clearing the pond, was lots of young newts, which I have never seen before. Also lots of the ramshorne snails appear to have holes in their shells, or are crushed and I did not find one of the common pond snails of which we used to have thousands.
I am assuming that since I am now seeing the young newts, there must be more than previously. Is it possible that they could be responsible for the disappearance of fish or snails? I know they eat tadpoles, but fish? I cannot think of any other reason. Has anyone any ideas.
Posts
Are all newts protected or is it just the great crested newt
Smooth and palmate are protected in that they may not be traded or sold. Great crested must not be killed, disturbed or even captured.
I have newts but i can not tell the difference.I did se a plain one and a black one with orange and black spots on belly.
thanks Richard
Half a mile is a fair way for newts to crawl. I suspect there is a temporary pool, hollow, rut or ditch somewhere nearer. If there are adults and young, they are obviously breeding close by.
Probably a hibernating newt. Put it back in a dry sheltered place and it will make its own way back to a pond to breed when it is ready.
We have a small pond with goldfish and frogs. It is a bit wild but obviously healthy as the goldfish breed.
Although for the past five years we have had no frogspawn. I put it down to the fact we moved the pond at that time and maybe they cannot access it as easily. In moving the pond we found a couple of newts that we had never seen before, or since.
This year, however we have lost everyone of our goldfish. I don't think a heron is likely to be the culprit, as the pond has been overgrown with weed, and they were impossible to see. If there was indeed too much weed and the fish died, we should have found their bodies at least, which we didnot. What I did find when clearing the pond, was lots of young newts, which I have never seen before. Also lots of the ramshorne snails appear to have holes in their shells, or are crushed and I did not find one of the common pond snails of which we used to have thousands.
I am assuming that since I am now seeing the young newts, there must be more than previously. Is it possible that they could be responsible for the disappearance of fish or snails? I know they eat tadpoles, but fish? I cannot think of any other reason. Has anyone any ideas.