Property News · April 28, 2023

Country diary: Witnessing a smooth newt in attack mode | Claire Stares


Langstone, Hampshire: The newts have migrated back to their natal pond to breed, allowing me to study them up closeThe recently relined pond is looking barren. I’ve replaced the rampant yellow flag irises and marsh marigolds with less invasive species of vegetation, but the immature plants are dotted like islands across an expanse of black butyl liner. Despite their propensity to migrate back to their natal pond, I was concerned that the smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) would abandon this aquatic desert for a more verdant breeding site. Happily, they were undeterred. A few days after I refilled the pond, I spotted two males lazing in the shallows, and by the following evening, they’d been joined by another male and two gravid (pregnant) females.Previously, any pockets of open water were blanketed in frogbit, the miniature waterlily-like leaves obscuring my view of life in the depths. The only indicators of the newts’ presence were rising air bubbles or the occasional glimpse of a tail breaking the surface. They’re still hiding in crevices or free-floating clumps of hornwort during the day, but now, as the light fades, they emerge into open water, which has allowed me to witness the males’ captivating belly-flashing, tail-fanning courtship displays for the first time, and also to gain an insight into the species’ feeding ecology. Continue reading…

Source : theguardian.com
Read more…Country diary: Witnessing a smooth newt in attack mode | Claire Stares

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