FAQs about newts: none this year

Newts tend to arrive at ponds later than frogs (Judy Dowling)

WILDLIFE INFORMATION SERVICE

Frequently Asked Questions about... newts:

I haven't got any newts this year, what might be wrong?

Depending on the weather, it may still be too early for amphibians to be returning to ponds to breed. Amphibians breed in the spring when they migrate to their breeding ponds/ditches/etc. Migration is weather dependent (they prefer mild, wet evenings) and so is determined by location - it tends to occur later in the north and east of the country and earlier in the south.

Newts may arrive in ponds after other amphibians have left, as they tend to breed a little later than frogs and toads. Newts also migrate, but it tends to be more drawn out than frogs and toads, with animals arriving at the pond over a longer period of time. In general, newts will start to migrate in early spring (February/March) but this could be earlier or later in different parts of the country or if the spring is particularly mild or cold.

In some cases lack of breeding amphibians in your pond could be the result of a population decline locally. This might be an indicator of pond loss: ponds form 'stepping stones' for amphibians across a landscape. If ponds disappear, so can local populations of amphibians.

Similarly, their terrestrial habitats are just as important - amphibians disperse on land, to forage, hibernate and colonise new areas and if these areas or 'corridors' have been blocked (by a new road or even a fence) or destroyed (through development), the route to your garden may have been lost.

Amphibian populations can fluctuate dramatically year on year so having years with low numbers of amphibians can be a natural phenomenon and nothing to worry about. If no breeding adults appear in your pond, there may be other juvenile amphibians in the areas that will turn up next year as breeding adults.

You may be tempted to import some newts or eggs from elsewhere to try and help your local population but we advise against this. By moving animals/eggs you can accidentally introduce diseases and invasive pond plants. Also, you would need to be careful which species you were introducing - great crested newts are protected by law and you're required to hold a special license to handle or disturb them.

More information:

Identifying amphibians. >>>

Dragons in your Garden. >>>

I've found dead newts, what's going on? >>>