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First emerget smooth newt today
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Posted by dampflippers Tyne & Wear UK (My Page) on Tue, Sep 11, 07 at 8:23
I found my first emerged baby smooth newt of the year today!
By this I mean the first that I have found dried off and under something- in this case under the plank that I use as a bridge. I always roll it over to check for things not to squash when I want to walk on it, and there they were....3 baby newts about 1 1/2 inches 4cm long. Aaaah!
I didn't have my camera with me, but I'll try to get pics later or tomorrow. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: First emerget smooth newt today
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| AAhhh--again you must be very proud! Never seen a newtlet, just the adult ones. They must live a long time as one has a kink in it's tail and it has been around for several seasons. After much deliberating, I think we have palmate newts (not uncommon in Devon). Oh yes, and a grass snake..... Chip |
RE: First emerget smooth newt today
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| Photo now in gallery- just one was there today. |
RE: First emerget smooth newt today
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| Thanks for that, and for all the other newt photos. I know what to look for now!! What leaves do you find your newts prefer? I'd like to do what I can to encourage them. I was asked to look after a friend's house and they have a pond. I noticed that there were loads of toadlets, but no way of getting out. I thought of giving them a little froggie ladder but it would be out onto paving slabs. So I relocated the ones I could catch......Shhhhh...don't tell anyone!! Have been feeling a bit guilty about it, but on reading your other thread about how they can drown or fry, I am feeling much better! Chip |
RE: First emerget smooth newt today
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When my pond was new and there weren't many access points I draped hessian over the edge for them to climb up.
Would it be possible for your friends to make a ramp of wood, tile, slate or build up pebbles and sand? They may not realise their problem. Or to grow plants at the edge that will allow them to climb out?
(Did you put a little signpost for the toadlets leading to your garden??) |
RE: First emerget smooth newt today
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| Actually, just today I asked her if she had teenage frogs in the garden, and they do have loads, so they do manage to get out on what they do have (I did offer to knit a little hessian twine ladder...). I haven't told her about the repatriated ones though, so please don't tell anyone... Chip |
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