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Will my newts return to breed? |
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Alex2
Senior Member Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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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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martin g
Member Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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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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Alex2
Senior Member Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Hi Martin, I think Suzi's referring to the dragonflies as being 'not such good guys' rather than the newts ;) |
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martin g
Member Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Whys that suzi? not such good guys that is?
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Suzi
Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1025 |
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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.
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Suz
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martin g
Member Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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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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Alex2
Senior Member Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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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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martin g
Member Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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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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martin g
Member Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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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. Edited by martin g |
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Suzi
Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1025 |
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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!
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Suz
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