Newts in and around the garden pond in spring.

Video clip: Ros Kelsey

Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com)   Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com)

During April, we start to see frogs and newts emerging in at the pond at Flatford in anticipation for the mating season.

We usually see the more common “Smooth” newt but while the garden is closed we unfortunately won’t be there to identify the species and witness the activity. The newts will probably be enjoying the peace and tranquillity to get on without all the human interest!

Flatford Garden volunteer Ros has been spotting common newts in her own established pond at home. She says that they could well be drawn to it as there are lots of pond plants and places for them to hide and lay eggs.

If you’d like to see newts in your own pond at home, they are likely to find it themselves if the conditions are right:

• They need places to shelter and hibernate near the pond, piles of rocks or wood are perfect.
• Easy access in and out of the pond will encourage them like a shallow sloping side or rocks and stones piled up to help them climb in and out.
• Plants for shelter and as potential egg laying habitat such as flote grass, water forget-me-nots, watercress and water speedwell are favourites.
• No fish in the pond. Fish will eat newly hatched newts so they will avoid ponds with fish in them. 

If you create this kind of habitat, allow them to come to it naturally and never bring them into your garden from the wild.

All three native species of newt: The Common or “Smooth” newt, The Palmate newt and Dark Crested newt are protected by law in various ways. The Dark Crested being fully protected in that it is an offence to disturb them or their eggs in any way.

All newts are carnivores eating a variety of tiny pond crustacea and on land: worms, insects, slugs and snails, so for the latter, they can be the gardeners friend! As nocturnal creatures, they are more likely spotted in the evenings so it can be worth going out with a torch, particularly on a mild damp night.

There it’s lots more information online about identifying newts and how to attract them to your pond.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/02/british-newt-id/

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=493

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/other-garden-wildlife/amphibians-and-reptiles/smooth-newt/