Newts and bugs

Despite the cold weather there are still a few cold-bloodied creatures that are active in the garden.

Whilst tidying up around the edge of the pond today I found a young smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris). I’m not sure if they’re called Efts after they’ve left the pond but this newt was only 3cm long so will definitely have been one of this year’s brood.

I’ve also been noticing a few other young newts remaining within the pond itself. They still have visible gills so I’m assuming that they will overwinter in the pond rather than on land.

I was also pleased to see a male Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) patrolling the pond. Later on I saw a mating pair of the same and they were ovipositing in the pond. I’m assuming it was the same male and he got lucky 😉

There are also a few Large White butterflies (Pieris brassicae) still on the wing. They seem, unsurprisingly, to be interested the bits of our cabbage plants that the slugs didn’t eat.

I also found a small shelled-slug (probably Testacella baliotidea). I really like the shelled-slugs as they are carnivorous and will eat other slugs and the occasional earthworm.

I didn’t see any slow-worms this weekend but I’m sure they’re keeping warm in the compost heap as usual.