Adult newts like to bask around the pond, stevernismyname. Maybe yours was doing this. You have to be quick to see them, as they usually dash into rock crevases or plants when they hear you coming. As dampflippers says, night time is the best time to see them.
We had 27 in a pond we accidentally drained not knowing they were there 3 years ago. We quickly re-established their habitat and last year saw loads. This year the adults over 3" long seem to have disappeared. I've seen a few in the pond recently (it's overlooked by our shed - great for spying on them!)
but there don't seem to be as many as last year.
They don't need supplementary feeding, but I occassionally toss in a little fish food. It always goes, so the little ones will stay for this year in the water. The adults will probably be back for shelter in the autumn and to breed.