Frogs, Toads and Newts 2013

[SteveB]

Sounds like your frogs have timed it right.

Not sure if they will try again, but you never know.

[picog]

Still waiting here — all croaking and no action!

[Bobby]

Lots of frogspawn up in vairous ponds and pools in the hills around here. The ponds are free of ice and with milder wetter weather looking likely next week things should start getting moving. Plenty of herons about around the ponds, must be feasting on the frogs.

[Sprites]

Some frog spawn about 8inch square in the pond today, some years the pond is full of spawn and 40+frogs, but the spawn often doesnt develop after a huge orgy, we get more tadpoles with a small area of spawn.

Was about to remove some duckweed, then saw several water-louse in the weed, so left it in.

[frogesque]

Square frog spawn Spites, you must have some very rare frogs in your pond

Our regular frogs have had a right party today and as dusk gets going so is their chorus. No spawn yet though.

Edited April 5, 2013 by frogesque

[Sprites]

Edited April 5, 2013 by Sprites

[Sprites]

Square frog spawn Spites, you must have some very rare frogs in your pond

yes

Our regular frogs have had a right party today and as dusk gets going so is their chorus. No spawn yet though.

they are quite fussy, checking that im wearing the correct hat and shoes, saluting military news items, and studying the financial times, and making sure they have created exactly 8inches square of spawn. Edited April 5, 2013 by Sprites

[frogesque]

. . . but were you carrying your briefcase and wearing a bowler - cloff cap and a pack o' sarnies won't do you know!

Meanwhile:

Weyhey! A toad seems to have joined in the fun today, first one we've seen in the garden. Not sure if it has a mate but it's been croaking away all day. Nothing phases it unlike the frogs who scatter at the slightest movement. It's about the size of a dinner plate and tries to jump anything that moves - much to the consternation of Kevin, our largest goldfish, who will have none of it. Still no spawn from the frogs already coupled up but it's getting quite exciting.

I know, I lead a sad life lol

Edited April 6, 2013 by frogesque

[picog]

At last! 14 clumps and counting!

[picog]

picog, on 11 Apr 2013 - 12:31, said:

At last! 14 clumps and counting!

Doubled the spawn overnight. Looking very promising now and better than last year, and still plenty of action in the pond.

[Bobby]

Some of the frogspawn in various pools was looking on its last legs as they started to dry up but the rain has topped things back up again now. Stumbled upon a huge heron around a pond looking for frogs, about 5m away from me. Impressive birds when seen close up indeedy.

[frogesque]

No spawn here yet, we are still in the grips of this evil North Sea easterly. A few day temps above 8C would be nice, even better would be some sunshine

Edited April 12, 2013 by frogesque

[frogesque]

The temperature has risen a bit with no overnight frosts and, despite the wind, it's standing room only in the pond.

We have had a weekend of frenetic energy with a full blown Hallé Choir going day and night. First frogspawn arrived this morning with more clumps still rising. Last count there were six pairs of frogs hard at it on the surface and several unattached males trying to muscle in.

I think the goldfish are a bit bemused!

[SteveB]

We've got tadpoles, thought the spawn had not have made it through the cold weather, but saw plenty swimming around in the pond today.

[mushymanrob]

no frogspawn in any pond... no frogs either, its a mystery where they went.

got smooth newts but doesnt seem much activity yet. or numbers have crashed.

[A3K]

Was out at night about three weeks ago now, and was pretty surprised to find a LOT of toads crossing the path, a few of them busy mating. Had to be very careful not to step on any!

[Sprites]

Noticed tadpoles last saturday, never had tadpoles so early as April before, usually mid may.

Also heard a cuckoo sunday morning.

Noticed tadpoles last saturday, never had tadpoles so early as April before, usually mid may.

Also heard a cuckoo sunday morning.

[picog]

Noticed tadpoles last saturday, never had tadpoles so early as April before, usually mid may.

Also heard a cuckoo sunday morning.

Noticed tadpoles last saturday, never had tadpoles so early as April before, usually mid may.

Also heard a cuckoo sunday morning.

Are you sure they are tadpoles — mid-May is late even for northern Scotland!

[frogesque]

Our taddies emerged about a week or so ago, most are now swimming freely from the spent egg sacs. I recon the cold March/April has set ours back nearly a month.

[mushymanrob]

Noticed tadpoles last saturday, never had tadpoles so early as April before, usually mid may.

Also heard a cuckoo sunday morning.

Noticed tadpoles last saturday, never had tadpoles so early as April before, usually mid may.

Also heard a cuckoo sunday morning.

 

mine were late this year, but still in april. i normally get taddies in march.