Very Special Resident....

How lucky you are Sue! Rick would have been overjoyed to see that!
I don't think I will get any residents in my little pond as there are no other ponds around here!

Just goes to show what a garden pond can support ... :o)

Really pleased for you - a lovely surprise for both of you.

fantastic Lincs. They spend about 10/11 months in damp borders rather than in the water. They are smashing creatures aren't they.

What a fantastic find! You must be well chuffed now, Sue! I’d be over the moon. Lovely pics thanks to your daughter!

That's a lovely surprise! Don't you think they look like miniature dragons? You may find tiny developing eggs or little grub like creatures on your pondweed now. You wouldn't notice them if you weren't actually looking for them.

Thankyou All.. I don't know which of us was the most excited, I've been back down there sitting on the edges just watching but it didn't show itself, can't really blame the poor thing, I probably scared it half to death when I removed the lily, I've been reading up on them, I need to buy water forget-me-nots or mentha aquatica ready for next springtime..

What a lovely surprise.

I’m having trouble in identification Lincs due to the water reflection. Is this a in resident salamander or a newt visiting the pond to lay eggs?

I can’t tell what it is either, Loosestrife.

Well, either way, what a complement it is to have one’s garden considered to be productive natural habitat by residents such as this. Lincs, you have my complement too!

its a smooth newt [Lissotriton vulgaris] and they usually return to water to lay eggs, but in dry spells they do take a dip now and again.

The tadpole develops into what is called an eft. they do look very dragon like as they keep their external gills for quite a long time, unlike frog and toads that have a skin over them like fish.

Many thanks SBG.