Pondlife....

When we viewed the house the first time and spoke to the owners they pointed out that the pond, which is, I suppose, 6' across the back and reaches out about 3'6" at the front, which is a rough semi-circle:

Although im very much in to my wildlife I have to say water life is very much a mystery to me.  I dont think ive really done much pond dipping when I was younger, and never really did much rock-pooling on the beach either.  So this is a kind of beginning to me.
Initially we saw a frog and a newt.  Hmmm....this would need more than one to get a few small ones!
Eventually, after much creeping down the garden, mostly by my wife Nicki, she found two frogs.  Great!  Chances of spawn increased immediately.
This month we have discovered more.  5 Common Frogs were found.  Three seemed to be, er, having a cuddle.

Im sure two of them werent actually killing the third, but it didnt look too good.  The next day I found it floating and after a quick experimental prod it was removed.  I hope it isnt that amphibian diseas!
So, four frogs, have now produced some spawn.  This really excited Nicki and Henry was suitably impressed, having been told about this kind of thing.
In March we had found four newts, though unsure of their identity.  Nicki has since found 8 newts and ive managed to get a couple of photos.

They arent the best photos I know.  But at least we have found out they are not Palmate and certainly not Great Crested....so that leaves Smooth/Common Newts.
We also seem to have developed loads of Pond Skaters, here are two...er...making some more: