Julia came home with a picture of a newt today – she’s been looking for one all year. This one turned up as they were clearing a heap of rubbish. The heap had been there since before she took over at the garden, in case you are wondering. It was, it seems, a more attractive berth than the various newt habitats that they have built around the garden.
The newt was not, she says, particularly glad to see them.
I can understand that. You’re all wrapped up and snug in preparation for a long winter snooze then somebody comes and rips your roof off. In similar circumstances I’d be pretty hacked off too.
They tucked it in and put all the stuff back on the heap. They can finish that particular job in Spring.
The picture is a bit blurred, but it’s taken a long time to get it so I’m going to use it anyway.
I am slow in catching up, Quercus and Julia. That is a handsome little newt! Poor fellow had his roof ripped off? No wonder he wasn’t pleased! 🙂
Fortunately he was still sleepy so they got him back before he work up completely.
I’ve only ever seen newts once – at a conservation centre.
On the subject of disturbing amphibians, I had been concerned that I might disturb any toads under my wood pile the other day but thankfully, if there were any, I didn’t.
They are usually OK as long as they have some warning and can sneak away. 🙂
Yes, I’m sure that helps 😊
🙂
Presumably the newt was pissed off.
Yes, as I am when woken unexpectedly…
Though nobody has ever used me as a measure of sobriety.
I had always wondered where the expression “pissed as a newt” came from. 🙂
They’ve always seemed quite cheerful to me. And sober. (It depends on whether you use US or UK idiom). 🙂
Good question.
I have very little experience of newts and their habits.
Our children stocked our Newark pond with newts from a local pool the name of which I can’t quite remember – they called it the Ballas, I think.
Increasing the newt stock is always a good thing. 🙂
This story made me smile! So glad the newt was given top priority.
We have plenty of gardeners, but newts are quite rare these days. 🙂
That’s so nice that they tucked him back in. I like that.
Newts are an important part of the garden and the group really do look after them.
Poor newt. I hope it winters well.
Yes, fingers crossed. They are much rarer than they used to be when I was a lad and we could find them all over the place, so they need looking after.
Cute, love his colours.
Yes, they work well. They would look good on a silk waistcoat too, I think.
Yes
Now, who so we know who wears waistcoats…