Topic: Anyone else got Newts??

[louise stella]

I have found lots of Newts on my plot - I know thay are very rare and protected and all that!  But I am digging over my newly aquired overgrown plot!  So I have been putting them in a safe place where I'm not going to dig for now.  Thye are not hibernating as it's very mild here! - I think they have been talking to the Hedgehogs on that score because they are still very active as well.

I do hope I am not going to hurt them! - any thoughts? - and has anyone else got them?

Louise

[Toadspawn]

The common newt will usually find a pond to lay its eggs in the spring. They will often remain in the pond for months. They can usually be found in the vegetation near to damp areas.
The Great Crested newt is rare and protected. Any site where they occur becomes an SSSI and cannot be developed. It is sometimes necessary to move them at considerable cost and it must be done with full support of the Nature Conservation Council or similar body I believe.
You need to check what sort you have but I guess probably the common newt.
I would like to get some Great Crested newts in my pond.
   

[Robert_Brenchley]

Common Newt are everywhere damp in lowland areas; Palmate Newt replaces them in moorland or mountain. The GC Newt is a species of fertile lowlands, where not too many ponds survive hence the reason why it needs protecting. It's much bigger than the others; what size are yours?

[angle shades]

:) I've lots of newts, they often play dead when you distrube them, and then scamper off when your back is turned. All newts are protected under the wildlife and country side act of 1981.They are nocturnal.

I have lots of log piles and my attempt of dry stone walls on my plot for them to hide under.They also rest under any carpet or wood you may put down.

my plot is more a wildlife sanctuary with the odd edible plant dotted around ;D/shades x

[glow777]

We have lots of great crested newts in the ponds at work. They are a right pain!

The cost to move them is incredible

Ian

I had a pet newt called tiny  ................ because it was my newt

[mc55]

I want some for my pond ... how can I encourage them ?

[shirlton]

Mc55, You might already have some without even knowing it. We have loads in the pool but don't see them unless we make a real effort. Their taddys are huge bull headed things.

[louise stella]

Mine are about 3-4 inches long !  So Far I have named two of them - one is Ned and the other one Issac !!!!  (Ned after a kids programme called Neds Newt - and the other after Sir Issac Newt-on!!!).

I wish they were Great Crested !!! - that'll keep the developers away!   The council are always sniffing around our sites - I think that's why mine was empty for so long - as in "but nobody wants allotments - we might as well build on them then!".  It's not a case of nobody wanting them - it's more a case of the council stick you on their list and forget you!  It was the Allotment Society guy who contacted me - if it wasn't for him nobody would get one!

I love my Newts! and am chuffed to bits to have them!  I hope they eat lots of crawlies!

Louise

[louise stella]

Ian

I had a pet newt called tiny  ................ because it was my newt
[/quote]

Oh very clever - it took a while for the penny to drop on that one!

Louise

[Curryandchips]

I had a frog called Tony - cos it was tony one I had ... (groan)  :D

[cambourne7]

Here in Cambourne we have loads of great creasted newts.

Got a couple live under decking in the garden, but not seen any on the plot.

I think they like the lakes better.