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MEET THE FIRST INHABITANTS AND OCCASIONAL VISITORS OF THE NEW PONDS IN JOVSI

MEET THE FIRST INHABITANTS AND OCCASIONAL VISITORS OF THE NEW PONDS IN JOVSI

In February the first three ponds were created in the LIFE AMPHICON project in Jovsi to improve the habitats of target amphibian species.

In all three ponds, we already noticed many organisms in the first season. Vegetation is gradually colonising the ponds and forming suitable structures for pond inhabitants. In early spring, agile frogs were the first that laid their eggs. Towards the end of April, we listened to the choirs of our loudest amphibian – the European tree frog. Soon we found eggs and tadpoles of European tree frogs, together with adult smooth newts and their larvae. At the beginning of June, we were very excited to see the first larvae of the Italian crested newts.  Females of Italian crested newts usually wrap their eggs in the leaves of floating or submerged aquatic plants. Since there was no suitable vegetation in one of the ponds at the time, they wrapped their eggs in the leaves of the willow that had fallen into the pond from the surrounding trees. Towards the end of July, the larvae of the Italian crested newts finally metamorphosed and left the aquatic environment. We are very enthusiastic that all this happened already in the first season of newly created aquatic habitats.

Ponds together with riparian vegetation also represent an important habitat for other organisms. Many species of butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, birds and other organisms find shelter or breeding grounds in or near ponds. Roe deer and common pheasants have often been seen along with the ponds as well as traces of predominantly nocturnally active game such as red foxes, European badgers and European hares. Ponds serve as a water source for many animals or they are just passing by them.

The first spawn that was deposited in the pond belongs to the agile frog (Rana dalmatina).

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

The scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) is drinking water on the wet ground next to the new pond.

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

The European badger (Meles meles) also passed by the new ponds in the night.

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are often seen near ponds.

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

Females of Italian crested newts (Triturus carnifex) usually wrap their eggs in the leaves of floating or submerged aquatic plants.

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

Since there was no suitable vegetation in one of the ponds at the time, females of the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) wrapped their eggs in leaves of the willow that had fallen into the pond from the surrounding trees.

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

Italian crested newts egg (Triturus carnifex).

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

Larvae of the Italian crested newts (Triturus carnifex) were found in all three newly created ponds in Jovsi.

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

Blue-tailed damselfly (Ischnura elegans).

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

Smooth newts larvae (Lissotriton vulgaris).

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

European tree frogs eggs (Hyla arborea).

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

European tree frogs tadpole (Hyla arborea).

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

Species of aquatic bug  from the Nepidae family (Ranatra linearis).

Foto: Tadeja Smolej

Predaceous diving beetles from a family of water beetles (Dytiscidae).

Foto: Tadeja Smolej