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RAUK - Archived Forum - breeding season night time excursions

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breeding season night time excursions:
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ben rigsby
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2010
No. of posts: 337


View other posts by ben rigsby 		Posted: 23 Mar 2011
hi RAUKERS,

as usual i had a good look around the ponds last night and as i did, i eyeballed these two male smooths at the edge of my smaller pool;

sorry, pic is poor - its honest in situ tho!




is such breeding season terrestrial activity likely to be in pursuit of food (it wasnt a damp night) or are these wandering males seeking other waterbodies hoping to find mates?
they could have come from my other pond.

thoughts anyone?

ben
Diversity.
GemmaJF
Admin Group
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
No. of posts: 2090


View other posts by GemmaJF 		Posted: 24 Mar 2011

ben didn't you know 'newt diving' is an Olympic event? They are just getting in some practice!

Newts are pretty active at night throughout the breeding season, they often forage on land and wander about to different ponds.

 


Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant
ben rigsby
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2010
No. of posts: 337


View other posts by ben rigsby 		Posted: 24 Mar 2011


i expect they put in a good showing in the Synchronised Swimming event too!

thanks Gemma.

so its primarily food-seeking then. i often see them out and about.
hopefully observe one with prey soon!
Diversity.
sussexecology
Member
Joined: 30 Sep 2010
No. of posts: 37


View other posts by sussexecology 		Posted: 24 Mar 2011

Did my first torching survey last night and actually lost count on the number of smooth newts. I know we had about 15 females in one pond!

I didn't get any pics because, as usual, I didn't have my camera with me!  It was such a mild night though.

Gemma, we had to be a bit careful at one point because we had a number of toads foraging on the ground! Bless their little souls! No squashed ones though, I'm pleased to report.
GemmaJF
Admin Group
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
No. of posts: 2090


View other posts by GemmaJF 		Posted: 24 Mar 2011
Tuddies can be out for other reasons too, the males will
often just sit in open areas waiting for the females, some
nights before the bulk of the females turn up I find more
males around a pond than in it. Not smart behaviour though
if the open area is a road.   
Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant

- breeding season night time excursions

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