It makes me glow inside to see so many frogs and so much spawn.
It's important stuff too, the poor old frogs are having a seriously bad time of it in the wider countryside across much of the UK. Garden ponds are becoming more and more important as each year passes for their survival.
We've had loads the previous 2 years so really hoping to see some soon. Can't see any signs of life in the pond either (Although I did disturb a hibernating toad about 1 month ago)
Out of interest my husband bought and used some 'anti algae' pond treatment last year (liquid stuff) - will that have had an impact?
Thanks Daisy. Checked all the spawn this morning and some of it is just about hatching, so the frosting doesn't seem to have affected it to any noticeable degree. We now have over 20 lots and still going, although slowed down quite considerably now. I am impressed with all your pictures of frogs as I have only seen one pop its head up when the sun was shining. Although, if it all hatches, we will have thousands of taddies, last year I watched fascinated as the blackbirds scooped them out of the pond and ate them when they were quite small, so that will account for quite a few as we are ksuffering from an over population of blackbirds this year..
Realistically, if one gets perhaps a couple of dozen at max, frogs reaching maturity from a 'clutch', then you are doing VERY well ! Most of the spawn goes to feed other species, birds especially. it all balances out over the years......... sometimes good spawning, sometimes poor hatching, sometimes a complete collapse of positive result. I never lose any sleep over it, as they all get over it without our help or with it !
It was noticed back in the 90's when for conservation purposes many ponds were made ideal for Great Crested Newts, that the local frog populations would collapse.
Anyone who has the space can help frogs by digging fairly shallow new ponds every few years. They suit the frogs better than the newts, at least for a season or two. The alternative is to to take spawn in and raise it. Either method works OK in practice, but it is a very natural thing that frogs are replaced by newts or toads eventually.
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It makes me glow inside to see so many frogs and so much spawn.
It's important stuff too, the poor old frogs are having a seriously bad time of it in the wider countryside across much of the UK. Garden ponds are becoming more and more important as each year passes for their survival.
Still waiting here in North Wales,
We've had loads the previous 2 years so really hoping to see some soon. Can't see any signs of life in the pond either (Although I did disturb a hibernating toad about 1 month ago)
Out of interest my husband bought and used some 'anti algae' pond treatment last year (liquid stuff) - will that have had an impact?
Thanks Daisy. Checked all the spawn this morning and some of it is just about hatching, so the frosting doesn't seem to have affected it to any noticeable degree. We now have over 20 lots and still going, although slowed down quite considerably now. I am impressed with all your pictures of frogs as I have only seen one pop its head up when the sun was shining. Although, if it all hatches, we will have thousands of taddies, last year I watched fascinated as the blackbirds scooped them out of the pond and ate them when they were quite small, so that will account for quite a few as we are ksuffering from an over population of blackbirds this year..
anti-algae treatment could have an impact, frogs use the smell of the algae to find their native pond. Hopefully though they are just late.
Realistically, if one gets perhaps a couple of dozen at max, frogs reaching maturity from a 'clutch', then you are doing VERY well ! Most of the spawn goes to feed other species, birds especially. it all balances out over the years......... sometimes good spawning, sometimes poor hatching, sometimes a complete collapse of positive result. I never lose any sleep over it, as they all get over it without our help or with it !
No frogspawn in my pond
Nor mine Fishy. The great crested newts finished them off years ago.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Of newts, the pistassas are the worst !
It was noticed back in the 90's when for conservation purposes many ponds were made ideal for Great Crested Newts, that the local frog populations would collapse.
Anyone who has the space can help frogs by digging fairly shallow new ponds every few years. They suit the frogs better than the newts, at least for a season or two. The alternative is to to take spawn in and raise it. Either method works OK in practice, but it is a very natural thing that frogs are replaced by newts or toads eventually.