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Will my newts return to breed?

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Alex2 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 31 Mar 2007 at 6:03am

Martin,

I don't have a clue how many tadpoles a dragonfly consumes before it leaves the pond, but it's probably fair to say quite alot!. They are certainly voracious predators. Personally I would leave the dragonfly larvae there and let the food chain take it's course. It's reasons like this why amphibians generally lay so many eggs I think. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin g Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2007 at 11:58am
Got any idea how mant taddies an Emporer Dragonfly nymph consumes before it leaves the pond?  Last year I counted at least 20 'whoppers' [nymphs] in the pond, there would have been more I am sure.  I witnessed laying by Adults in summer too so I know I wil have a few this year.  Should i interfere? what are your thoughts guys?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alex2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2007 at 8:30am

Hi Martin,

I think Suzi's referring to the dragonflies as being 'not such good guys' rather than the newts ;)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin g Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Mar 2007 at 2:34pm
Whys that suzi?   not such good guys that is?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Suzi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2007 at 6:27pm
Erm I get the dragonflies too and methinks they're not such good guys to the other stuff in the pond. I think you have to just let them all get on with it although I know it's tempting to help out.
Suz
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin g Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2007 at 6:06pm

Well there were at least 6 pairs courting this evening so there may be hope.  I didnt realise the newts ate the eggs, newts arent nice at all are they, they eat the taddies too.

I am going to seperate about a dozen and hatch them out of the pond, just to ensure a few make it to an inch, then they can go back. Noticed what looked like a few very young dragon fly nymphs around, i am lucky enough to get the huge dragonflies in my garden, big blue ones (emperors I think?) so i want to keep them too but there will be an almighty struggle in the little eco system that is my garden this year.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alex2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2007 at 2:23pm
Yep, that's a newt egg alright Martin. I'm sure that you'll find more over the coming weeks, and it's also safe to assume there are more in your pond...You've just not spotted them yet. Remember, newt eggs make up part of an adult newts diet.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin g Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2007 at 1:52pm
Despite the fat females in the pond, i am struggling to find any evidence of laying.  I have found ONE what i think is a newt spawn, a single egg folded in an oxygen weed leaf.  But just one??  Do they spwn in any other ways, random dropping of them onto the pond bed? There is lanket weed, but no eggs in there???  are they usually tough to find?  sorry for all the Qs
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin g Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2007 at 6:23pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, as you can see, they returned, a very fat female, one of several I saw tonight, and a few males too including the very pale (albino?) male in the other pic.



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Suzi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2007 at 7:24pm
Sorry Martin I didn't make clear that the blanket weed was not removed in the breeding season - although that was by luck and not judgement!
Suz
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