If I've got all my facts straight, red efts are the juvenile form of the red spotted newt. The adult newt becomes aquatic (again) when it is ready to breed. The babies are aquatic at first and then come out to live on the land (in the woods) for several years before reaching reproductive maturity. So there was probably a creek or pond not too far from your house where you found so many! They're really cute, aren't they! Cute newt!