https://meadowmaker.typepad.co.uk > Animals

Smooth Newt Larva

This smooth newt larva was accidentally collected while clearing some of the blanket weed which was smothering the pond. I photographed it in a glass tank I made for this purpose using an overhead light with a daylight bulb. It still has external gills but has developed all four limbs. Pigment spots have started to develop but it is still largely transluscent and the internal organs are clearly visible. The presence of so many newt larvae is a good sign, although it may simply reflect the number of frog larvae there are for them to eat as adults!

Carder bee on greater bft

The Great Birds Foot Trefoil near the pond is rampantly spreading around the pond as well as through it and over it! It is very poplular with carder bees

Small skipper

I spotted this skipper today, living up to it's name, zooming around the wet meadow. It was mainly feeding on the Greater Birds Foot Trefoil, as shown here.

Grass Snake

This shot of the grass snake in the pond was taken from the pondcam and then saved as a screen grab. I have cropped it and ringed the snake in red

Frogs and spawn march 2009 01

2 day old spawn plus several of the frogs that may have produced it.

Frogs that love the camera 1