Pond Dipping Again

Was really pleased when I saw a tiny newt floating on the surface of the pond this morning. When I stuck the net in to explore further I pulled out several baby newt larvae. A great find as I was starting to worry that the pond was not as fertile as in recent years - have not seen many newts this year and now the baby toads have all but disappeared then I was starting to get a little concerned about the lack of wildlife. I also found leeches, lice, and pond skaters.

The newts were stars of the show though - at various stages of development. As much as I wanted them to be Alpine Newts (am still not sure that they are not as am 50/50 as to whether what I have fished out in past years has been Alpine or just 'in season' smooth male smooth newts) but probably think these are common or smooth newt larvae.