Toad and newt from Shropshire, UK

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   Hi there,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with the ID of these two amphibians that I came across on a recent trip to the Mortimer Forest area, near Ludlow, Shropshire.
Using the ID pages, I think that the toad is probably of the common variety, as it states that they may have brick-red spots, but I'd personally not seen this colouration.  The newt I'm not sure about, perhaps common, but darker than I've seen before.
Apologies if they are very mundane species, but I enjoyed seeing and photographing them (in a herpeto-friendly way, of course!).
All the best, Tony.

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dh7621 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote dh7621 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Toad and newt from Shropshire, UK Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 7:08am
	Hi there, I was wondering if anyone could help me with the ID of these two amphibians that I came across on a recent trip to the Mortimer Forest area, near Ludlow, Shropshire. Using the ID pages, I think that the toad is probably of the common variety, as it states that they may have brick-red spots, but I'd personally not seen this colouration. The newt I'm not sure about, perhaps common, but darker than I've seen before. Apologies if they are very mundane species, but I enjoyed seeing and photographing them (in a herpeto-friendly way, of course!). All the best, Tony.

will Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830	Post Options Post Reply Quote will Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 11:30am
	Common toad certainly; I'd go for palmate newt rather than smooth newt - slight marbling on tail suggests the former I think Cheers Will

adamanteus Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote adamanteus Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 1:41pm
	That's a very nicely coloured/patterned toad, Tony.
	James.

Peter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 310	Post Options Post Reply Quote Peter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 2:33pm
	Especially nice looking B. bufo. Did you get any shots of the newt`s underside at all?

dh7621 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote dh7621 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 4:51pm
	Thanks guys...in answer to Peter's question, I wasn't able to photograph the newt's underside, but it was a creamy colour with pale to mid-grey spots. The newt was 'playing dead' when I took these pictures, but each time I tried to gently coax it over to get a shot of its belly, it found a burst of speed and righted itself (I only had the one hand free). Thanks again for the replies- much appreciated. All the best, Tony.