Swaddywell Newt Count evening

The annual newt count at Swaddywell pit took place on Tuesday 13 April. A small group of participants represented the Langdyke Countryside Trust and the Wildlife Trusts. We met at 7.30pm and at first there was nothing to be seen.

However, as soon as it was really dark there was lots of action. On the large pond we observed both male and female great crested newts. The males looked magnificent, with their broad striped tail and orange and brown patterned belly, and one female was very swollen with eggs. We think there were at least 4 male and at least that number or more females. Leader Stuart Irons said there were significantly more than last year, but counting was difficult because of the movements of the creatures. We watched a female great crested actually laying eggs, and also possibly a short courtship display. There were also male and female smooth newts. Total numbers were reckoned to reach double figures for the large pond.

In the smaller pond to the south east, nearer the rock face and trees, we observed a great crested newt and a caddis fly larva. I don’t think there was a moment after dark when those at the edge of the larger ponds did not have an observation under way. We only drew a blank in the shallower water at the South end of main ponds – the narrow one where the willow was cut back in February. The other “miss” was that we saw no evidence of toads or frogs at all!

We would like to thank Laura Watson of the Wildlife Trusts for sharing her knowledge and experience and for bringing some big torches, which made it easier to see the newts and observe their activities.

DC, JS, SI. 14.4.10