Wildlife | Lincolnshire Pond Plants Blog

Three native newt species, Smooth Newts these are the most common, Palmate Newts look very similar and Great Crested Newts are rare.

The following images and text from froglife.org

male, Matt Wilson, Northern England

Up to 10cm long.
Brown (usually) upper body sometimes with visible black spots.
Pale orange belly with small black spots.
Males develop a continuous wavy crest, running from the head to then end of the tail, during the spring.
(Photo: Matt Wilson)

Immature palmate, Mark Rowe, Devon Mar08

Very similar to smooth newt but a maximum of around 8-9cm.
Throat is usually pink and unspotted.
Males develop webbed back feet, a ridge running along the back and a thin filament at the end of the tail during the breeding season.
(Photo: Matt Wilson)

male on mud jules howard

Up to 16cm long.
Rough, black skin often with white-tipped ‘warts’.
Bright orange belly with irregular black blotches.
During the breeding season males have a jagged crest running from the head, along the back, with a break at the base of the tail; the tail also has a conspicuous white flash.

Plants suitable to encourage newts:

Marginal plants providing dense coverage on one side of the pond provides cover for newts entering the water and moving within the water. Mixture of native plants grow well, but a variety of plants at different depths provide the perfect habitat.
Submerged oxygenating plants examples:

Floating plants help to provide shade to prevent the build up of algae. 65% of shade is required to prevent algae and blanket weed whether you have floating plants or submerged oxygenators.
The placing of dead branches into the pond enriches the habitat considerably, as do tree roots growing into the pond. Resist the temptation to remove overhanging branches that naturally dip or fall into the water
Avoid introducing fish as they predate on many other forms of pond life (young are safe as they are unpalatable to fish)