31/08/2024
A photo from Thursday morning. While trying to photograph dragonflies at the ponds, North Cave Wetlands, I noticed a Great Diving Beetle which appeared to be swimming while holding on to a piece of dead reed or wood. I snapped a few record shots and thought no more of it until I looked at them on the computer. I was shocked to see that the 'dead reed' was in fact a dead Great Crested Newt! I know that these beetles are voracious predators and will take tadpoles and small fish, but this one had killed and was eating a fully grown newt. Please excuse the poor quality image - I only wish I had realised what was going on and perhaps tried for some better pics.
