On 10.06.13 (10th of June) I went hunting for newts. We found two types of newt- the palmate newt and the common or smooth newt, living together quite happily. We discovered them in places near houses in small streams and culverts. 

The quality of the living conditions were staggering, with large amounts of rubbish and oil rising from the mud!

 They also had some alien-like neighbours in the form of large, grey insect larvae.

More of their neighbours were a huge collection of freshwater shrimp (gammarus) and a large family of back-water boatmen, a threat to young newt larva.


 Despite all the debris, I found a healthy colony of newts with plenty of food and hiding places which was very pleasing. The newt spends most of its time in water and they occasionally rise to the surface to catch a breath of air. Below is a video of a palmate newt taking that ever-so important breath.

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