newtoyou wrote:
And I might add another point for newts. They breed in vernal pools ( for most) that are free of fish. I believe many over winter as nymphs because of a two or more year tadpole stage.
So, Brenda, I believe your pond has newts. And little eats them, many have poisonous skin secretions
Bill, still
Newts can lay eggs up till July mainly in the north of the British isles that is why many over winter, in fact where Brenda lives most leave the ponds in the same year. (Check out the link again and down load the IDGuideNewtEggs&Larvae.pdf doc)
Most ponds that were surveyed contained a few species of fish some with large numbers of them, these and dragon fly nymph take a large toll of newt nymphs but the populations have remained stable over many years.
PS: most pond surveys are carried out on a night-time with torches, especially for Great Crested.