Frog ladder?

Astraeus · March 2023

We have a raised pond with its lip around 15"/40cm off the ground, inaccessible to frogs.

I've got a space next to it that I could construct a ladder, staircase or similar in to allow frogs to access the pond. Has anyone done anything similar or does anyone have any suggestions for what might be best please?

As a thanks for sticking with me this long, here's what happens when you go a bit too deep into designing for wildlife...sort of: https://www.tiktok.com/@unknowndazza/video/7204587065726520577?lang=en

tui34 · March 2023

Hello @Astraeus

Frogs have these amazing long back legs, so - where's there's a will, there's a way! They'll find their way in!!

Dovefromabove · March 2023

What about a ramp of logs …?that way there’s somewhere for them to lurk beneath as well. It’ll also need plants growing on and around it … frogs don’t like being out in the open, exposed and visible to every passing bird or cat in search of lunch. They need herbage to hide in as they navigate the access to your pond.

Has the pond got a shallow end/beach? I’d put the access ramp that end to help any creatures needing to get in and out 😊

Astraeus · March 2023

It does @Dovefromabove, a sloping bog garden and gravel beach. I like the idea of logs, it'd look much more natural and, yes, I'm sure would double up as a habitat for them.

I clearly underestimate the ability of things to climb. We rescued two hedgehogs from next door's football netting on Monday and at around midnight, was woken to find they'd climbed out of their box, squeezed open a door that has been left ajar, pushed open another door that wasn't on its latch and climbed up the stairs!!

CrankyYankee · March 2023

That is some kind of frod kingdom, I love it!

You could also add material (sand, gravel, dirt) around the pond edging and slope it so it makes a natural ramp.

Slow-worm · March 2023

Split a log lengthways, keep it in place with rocks and/or other logs. Add some soil and a few small plants so the littl'uns aren't conspicuous using your ramp. 😊

clematisdorset · March 2023

Slow-worm said:

Split a log lengthways, keep it in place with rocks and/or other logs. Add some soil and a few small plants so the littl'uns aren't conspicuous using your ramp. 😊

I am hoping to try this @Slow-worm and wondered if you had success with any particular plants and soil using this method?

Liriodendron · March 2023

Love the video, @Astraeus... nice to find the world is full of nutters.

Slow-worm · March 2023

Firstly apologies @Dovefromabove, I just realised I pretty much repeated what you said.

@clematisdorset not quite that high, but I put some old fencing logs down first, which had partly rotted so they had a flat side, and added soil to fill the gaps. The slope can go steep or shallow - with one bit of wood as the slope, with large-ish rocks, logs and soil placed around and under the ramp as needed. Heathers can grow there, or ajuga, grasses etc - anything that doesn't need masses of root room really. 😊
I tend to make it up as I go along and see how things pan out, lol!

clematisdorset · March 2023

Oh thank you @Slow-worm for your detailed reply!

I was hoping to plant some ajuga. It sounds a bit like the beginnings of a stumpery ?! I did have a resident toad but not seen it for over 5 years. I am going to look up fencing logs, edit oh yes, I have something similar - a donation of log offcuts that a friend gets in for their log fire. I can visualize it much better now. It is fun & worthwhile doing these things, isn't it?!

Dovefromabove · March 2023

No apologies necessary @Slow-worm … nice to have someone thinking along the same lines as me 😉

Frog ladder?

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