Critters!

I was delighted to find these three newts huddled under a concrete birdbath I moved during my gardening foray. I was sorry to have disturbed them, but they seemed too confused/cold/sluggish to move away and hide. We got a good look at them, but forgot to look at their undersides for spots.

This is probably the common smooth garden newt, Lissotriton vulgaris

These bramble leaves indicate the presence of a critter having been there, most likely the caterpillar of the golden dot moth (Stigmella aurella). The larvae are often referred to as leaf miners.

The last critter is a beautiful sketch by Rachael for Mother's day - the silver-studded blue, native to Wales, but declining due to habitat loss. I really hope to see one in real life soon