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Quick answer
Creating amphibian-friendly features like ponds, compost heaps
and log piles should encourage newts into your garden.
Further information
Amphibians require ponds to breed, so adding a pond to your
garden is the best way to encourage them. Consider size, shape
and location of your pond before starting work; avoid adding
fish as they will feed on spawn (see
Just Add Water).
Newts lay their eggs on small broad-leaved plants, carefully
wrapping up each one in a leaf. They are more likely to breed in
ponds that contain this type of plant, such as water mint
Mentha aquatica and water forget-me-not Myosotis
scorpioides.
If you do not have a pond (or space to create one), your garden
can still benefit amphibians and they may make use of it if
there are water bodies near by. You could think about a bog
garden or small water feature instead.
Amphibians spend the majority of their life on land and make use
of a variety of habitats in which they forage, shelter and
overwinter (hibernate). They will use log and stone piles, long
grass, compost heaps and even nooks and crannies under your
shed, decking or greenhouse. Habitats that provide shelter, stay
damp and provide a good source of insects and slugs to feed on
are particularly beneficial.
Making your
garden amphibian-friendly.
Identifying
newts.
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