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It was time for a bit of a tidy up of the pond, and the border where the pond is situated. As you can see, it's full of Marsh Marigold which is just starting to flower. As the pond was installed to attract wildlife, small logs have been placed around the sides of the pond for insects and creatures to use.
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The logs have fungi growing on them and are utilised by all manner of wildlife.
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It was when Mick moved one of the logs that he found this little fellow underneath.
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I don't know the first thing about newts so if anyone knows what kind this one is, I'd be very interested to know.
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Needless to say, the log was placed gently back on top of the newt and the tidying up of the pond didn't happen.
Our pond is tiny, only 84cm X 64cm, but it's teaming with wildlife. There's always a frog or two to be seen, though they've never spawned in the pond, but we're well visited by baby frogs so they must spawn nearby and then use our pond for a holiday.
It just goes to show that you don't need a huge pond to attract wildlife.
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Lucky you, it's a smooth newt possibly a female (?). As you say a pond is so worthwhile having, even just a small one. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, I shall go and read all about them now. I wondered if such a small pond would attract much wildlife, I needn't have worried, it attracts all sorts of things.
DeleteI 'm pretty sure it is a smooth newt. Lucky you, we never get them in our pond.
ReplyDeleteGill
Thank you. This is the first one I've seen around our pond, I hope it sticks around.
DeleteYour log that full of fungi is so interesting. Here, the fungi is called'Jamur kuping', it's edible and sold both of fresh and dried in the markets or groceries. The fungi is cultivated in the tunnel houses. It's so delicious.
ReplyDeleteI've got different types of fungi on the logs. It fascinates me but I'd never dare eat it, there's so many kinds of poisonous types that I'd end up doing myself a mischief.
DeleteWe get lots of newts on the plot usually in the soil. It's hard to tell whether you have a smooth or palmate newt from the photo. If it is bigger than about 6 cm it is likely to be a smooth newt. Did you find any eggs?
ReplyDeleteI think this was just a baby, it was really very small. I didn't find any eggs, but then I didn't really look. A few photos were taken and then the log was placed back over it, I didn't want to scare it.
DeleteNewts are smaller than you would imagine them to be,
DeletePerhaps it wasn't a baby then. It was only tiny though.
DeleteI love newts and I remember as a child going newting and filling up my friends pond with them. Obviously you aren't allowed to now but I hope I get some around my pond on the bee lot once I get it sorted out!!
ReplyDeleteYour pond will attract all sorts of things, mine does and it's only tiny. There's lots of places around here where you can go pond dipping, it's amazing how many different things live in water.
DeleteLooks like a smooth newt to me and a very healthy one too!! It does not matter what size a pond is, it will always attract wildlife :) I found a young newt under a pot the other day........
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how water attracts wildlife. I'd recommend a small pond to anyone who wants to attract wildlife to their garden, even my tiny pond is full of things.
DeleteWhat a great find! Hope he sticks around :)
ReplyDeleteMe too. I was thrilled when I found frogs using the pond, imagine my delight on finding this cute little newt.
Deletewe love newts in Iwade where I live, we have the famous Great Crested Newts that stopped a planning development for about 3 years http://www.iwadevillage.co.uk/whatson.aspx?subnavid=68
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Great Crested Newts are one of the species I've heard of, perhaps because they're protected. It's great that the community are so involved with the wildlife which surrounds them.
DeleteYou are obviously providing an ideal habitat if you are attracting newts!! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm doing nothing special. Providing water seems to be all you need to do to attract wildlife to the garden.
DeleteI usually find them when I'm digging down on the plot and I'm never sure exactly where they were before I disturbed them. They get replaced somewhere that we think is newt friendly.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen one on the plot, but my eyesight isn't the best so I could easily miss one, especially if they're camouflaged by the soil.
DeleteWhat a lovely newt and pond! He seems very happy in his little home.
ReplyDeleteMy little pond is tiny, it's amazing how much wildlife it supports. Everything seems happy there.
DeleteYep, a smooth newt, not a crested one, which has a sort of frilly ruff! I think newts of all types must be quite rare these days. Do they eat slugs?
ReplyDeleteIt's the first one I've seen in the garden, I hope it isn't the last. I believe they do eat slugs, all the more reason to want them to stay.
DeleteOh wonderful, lucky you. We have a tiny wildlife pond too, with some wood placed to the side, and I've just put an upturned broken terracotta pot there too - it has a kind of entrance way in it now! We have frogs around, and frogspawn, but I've not seen a newt, they're quite unusual I think. Ponds are quite miraculous aren't they, you put on in and things just turn up. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI've got a wooden frog house to the side of the pond, I don't think it's ever been used though, better luck with your terracotta pot. Ponds are brilliant for attracting wildlife to the garden. I hoped it would get used but didn't really expect that it would attract the range of wildlife which it does.
DeleteLovely photos.. We have a wildlife pond with several newts. Only wish we could have frogs back though.. one day maybe, I keep hoping :o)
ReplyDeleteThis is the first newt I've seen around the pond but we have lots of frogs, I just wish they'd use the pond to spawn but they never have.
DeleteI love your little pond, more colourful than mine. I haven't seen any newts in my garden for a couple of years now, which is a shame. My rhubarb patch is at the back of my pond, I always worry in case a frog jumps out when I pick some.
ReplyDeleteCan you see all the buds on the Marsh Marigold? It will be even more colourful once they've opened. We had frogs jumping all over the place when we tidied up the border at the weekend, they all ended up jumping in to the pond for cover.
DeleteNot sure what sort of newt he/she is Jo but oh what a most welcome visitor. I imagine that you laid down the red carpet accordingly. I've had newts on my plot before now but did not spot any last year :(
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled when I saw him, it's wonderful that a tiny amount of water can attract so much wildlife.
DeleteOh how wonderful, what a great find! It is amazing how water attracts wildlife isn't it, I would love to have some newts here.xxx
ReplyDeleteA newt was the last thing I expected to find around the pond, I was thrilled enough with the frogs. I still can't believe how much wildlife a tiny bit of water can attract.
DeleteOh, you lucky girl! I have newt envy :}
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe it when we spotted it. Our pond is tiny so it just goes to show how even a small amount of water will attract all kinds of wildlife.
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