Pond Creatures


	Common newt	Damselfly

	Dragonfly larval skin	Frog

A pond in good condition can be teeming with wildlife. The most obvious inhabitants are frogs. Large jelly-like clusters of frog spawn can be found floating in early Spring. These develop into swarms of tadpoles wiggling around in the warm shallows. Toads are also present; their spawn is easily recognised as long strings draped around the plants. Common newts, which look a bit like swimming lizards, can be seen coming to the surface.

There are many insects and minibeasts too. Pond skaters dart around on the surface of the water. Brightly coloured blue or red damselflies flit around the water’s edge, alighting on pond plants. Large dragonflies sometimes visit, the sound of their wings clearly audible as they swerve past you. Dragonflies hold their wings outstretched when resting. Damselflies can be distinguished because their wings are held closed together.

Click pictures for larger versions