Of our three native newt species the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) is the one can be encountered in the widest array of habitat. It is as at home in your garden pond as it is in ponds in the countryside where it has a preference for small, shallow ponds with non-acidic, more neutral or alkaline water. That means they are unlikely to be seen in heathland pools and ditches where palmate newts are more frequent.
It may be our most common newt (note the Latin name 'vulgaris' meaning vulgar or common!) but it is still not seen frequently as newts in general are far less numerous than they once were and they are also often more active at night. This particular species has suffered from the decline of village ponds and the pollution with nitrates of ponds on farms. I have no doubt my records of smooth newt on the Nature of Dorset website vastly understate the distribution of smooth newt because of this nocturnal preference as well as the limited time they spend in water. They are becoming increasingly dependant on garden ponds but if you want them in your garden pond it needs to be free of fish!
During April and May when they take to the water to breed you can find them by shining a torch in to ponds after dark! They are smaller than great crested newts but larger than palmate newts the males have spots and a crest in the breeding season. Although brown in colour they can appear much darker in water.
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