Friday, January 06, 2006

Hi and welcome. Since the festive season is over and we're getting into the dark, long months of January and February, I thought I'd start my new blog by reminding you all that spring will soon be here and as soon as spring gets here the amphibians will be making their move to ponds to spawn. This is a european toad (Bufo bufo) that I found ambling across our lawn last year:

and this is a smooth newt from our wildlife pond (Lissotriton vulgaris):


I'm looking forward to spring when we get to see these fascinating little chaps emerging and going back about their business.












3 comments:

T. Beth said...

I have never seen a newt in the wild anywhere. Are they rare or common where you live?

tai haku said...

Pretty comon - we have 3 species in the UK and 1 is endangered (the Great Crested newt). The other 2 species will regularly turn up in garden ponds

Pam in Tucson said...

Hi tai,

Triggered by Beth's comment, I posted a photo of a newt (actually an eft - as I've just recently learned) on my blog yesterday. I photographed it in Connecticut about 45 years ago. It's quite a lovely colour. Beth found out we have salamanders in Arizona, but she hasn't been able to locate any newts.