19 Thursday Dec 2024
My very first newt encounter was a sad one to witness, as I watched a Moorhen whacking a Palmate newt to death in one of the dipping ponds at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park (My first Palmate newt, 29 February). Fortunately, for me and the newts, I saw several alive and thriving in the dragonfly pond at Forest Farm Nature Reserve three months later (Newts alive, 30 May). I must remember to look for them again in 2025 as they were spellbinding to watch as they floated serenely in the clear water.
29 Thursday Feb 2024
Tags
birding, birdwatching, British amphibians, Lissotriton helveticus, Moorhen, Moorhen with newt, Palmate newt
On Monday, I saw my very first Palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus).
Unfortunately …
The Moorhen was treating the newt in almost the same way a cat sometimes plays with a mouse, dropping it, picking it up again, twirling it round, bashing it against the water and reeds. And, surprisingly, it didn’t eat the newt, just dropped it in the water and stalked away when some people came noisily walking along the adjacent boardwalk.
p.s. I’m hoping at some stage to see a live newt!