43
We then moved on to the Wake Valley Pond itself,
this larger area of water produced more toads;
too many to count but we estimated 200 pairs or
so. The main colony was alongside the reed beds
bordering the western side of the pond. There
were so many toads present that the sound of
their croaking was quite audible from the bank.
Spawning had barely started indeed some toads
had only recently arrived and were having difficulty
in getting through the reed beds into the water
beyond. Netting was carried out, but only one
male Palmate Newt was taken.
It would appear from these records that the
Palmate Newt is the most common newt in the Forest,
this is borne out in our dipping in different
ponds three years ago. We also recorded some
invertebrates during the day and I am indebted
to Pat Hayes for their identification as follows:-
RUSHEY MEAD POND
Great Diving Beetle (Dytiscus marginalis)
Water Stick Insect (Ranatra linearis)
Water Scorpion (Nepa cinerea)
Water Boatman (Notonecta glauca)
Damsel Fly Nymphs
WAKE VALLEY POND
Water Spider (Argyroneta aquatica)
DAVID SCOTT