Spring is an ideal time to encounter great crested newts as they migrate to their breeding ponds. 

Having slept the winter away hidden amongst tree roots, under rocks, or in crevices, a newt's mind is on one thing – finding a mate.  

These wonderfully ‘warty’ newts – the UK’s largest newt species – will leave their terrestrial winter habitats of woodland, hedgerow, marsh, and grassland and return to their birth pond to breed. 

These newts earn their name from a wavy, jagged crest that males develop along their back and tail in spring to lure a female mate. 

It’s not all about looks, though. Males also perform elaborate courtship dances that involves erecting his crest, stiffening his body and curling his tail with the tip quivering, hoping to catch the attention of a nearby female. 

The courtship display is designed to waft pheromones towards passing prospective partners. 

If a female is suitably impressed and mating is successful, she will later lay approximately 200 eggs by July, wrapped inside the leaves of pond plants. 

The adults then head back into the meadows, hedgerows, and woodland for the rest of the year. 

The best time to see the newts dancing is after dark, when they show up under torchlight. 

It’s best to check out the pond in the daylight, to find a safe place to stand on dry land where you can see open spaces amongst the water weed into which the newts may emerge.  

Then after dark, enjoy watching these dance arenas with your torch.  As always when you’re around water, take care, go together with someone else, and be safe. Also, take care not to disturb great crested newts as it’s against the law to do so. 

Bellies for fingerprints 

Viewed from above, great crested newts have dark brown or black skin with small, wart-like bumps. 

Their flanks feature white speckles, while their striking, bright yellow-orange bellies sport irregular black blotches that, like our fingerprints, are unique to the individual. 

Great crested newts grow up to 17cm long and are a European protected species. Their populations are in decline, largely due to the loss of suitable pond habitat. 

The great thing about newts is that you don’t need to go to a nature reserve to see them.  Most garden ponds, if they are looked-after in a wildlife-friendly way, will probably have newts breeding in them. 

Find out more about local wildlife by visiting hiwwt.org.uk/wildlife-explorer