Great Crested Newts at Kingsnorth


I have received a report from Hilary Moorby who lives in Kingsnorth that great crested newts are now active.

Hilary reported the following:

"Just to tell you that on Saturday 4th March 2006 I saw the first GCN, male, in my pond. The time was 8.45.pm. the air temperature was -8c and the surface of the pond was frozen. This is the earliest I have ever seen a GCN in my pond and I had assumed that they would not be active at such a low temperature."

I do often see newts active in ponds on cold nights, although never on a night as cold as as the one described by Hilary. In fact, I often see newts active in ponds throughout the winter, sometimes when the pond is covered in a blanket of ice. The degree to which amphibians 'hibernate' is something that causes a great deal of confusion for many people. I will have to write a few words on the subject - when time permits!

Hilary's great crested newt observation isn't the first of the season though. Although Martin didn't mention it in his account, we did actually see a male gcn during the survey workshop on 25th February.

I haven't yet received any reports of frogspawn. Anyone?

Lee Brady

Posted: Sat - March 4, 2006 at 09:27 am        

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