Homing Frogs

[Julie in Norfolk]

I couldn't find the old topic with this subject header. My pond is teeming with frogs, spawning away they are, hundreds of them! Ooer.

[Stanley]

Thanks for reviving the frogs Jules. Cue Moh......?

[Julie in Norfolk]

Does the frog mating season travel north like spring does? Bulbs flower from the south to the north of the UK taking about 8 weeks to get from Lands End to John o' Groats. I just wondered if the same were true of frogs mating. What is the trigger for frogs to mate (and toads probably)?I'm sure someone will know.

[Stanley]

I think the main trigger is water temperature but I'm no expert. One thing I noted in my tramping days was that the Daffodils in Barlick were about the latest in the country and that includes the North of Scotland. I'll bet Deerplay up on the Bacup road is even later!

[Tizer]

We've seen frog spawn well into development in late January in south Devon. The RSPCA web site says:
The breeding seasons for the most common amphibians are approximately:
Common frog: mid January - mid April
Common toad: early February - early May
Smooth newt: early April - early August
Palmate newt: early April - early August
Please note: The actual timing of mating and spawning is very variable, since it depends on the weather conditions. There may be several months’ difference in the timing of frogs spawning in different parts of the country. For example, in Cornwall frogspawn can be seen from the end of December and January, whereas in Newcastle it’s probably not seen until the end of March or early April.
Despite these differences, generally speaking:
frogspawn normally hatch from early March to late April
tadpoles grow legs during May
common frogs (and toads) leave the water from June to July.
http://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/faq/- ... gsAndNewts

[Tripps]

"Daffodils in Barlick were about the latest in the country"
The village of Thriplow near here have an annual daffodil weekend. It has become quite well known with coach trips etc. It must be quite a challenge to get the date right . With local daffodils now in full bloom, I was concerned to learn that this year's event is April 5/6th. I do hope they have a lot of late varieties.
I read that the Cambridge half marathon was held last Sunday in a temperature of 18C. Last year it was snowing! Conclusive proof of global warming.

[Stanley]

Put that wooden spoon away David. You'll only trigger him off!

[Julie in Norfolk]

Daffodils aplenty in our garden now, not surprising as I spotted the first one 2 weeks ago. What I hate is when grass cutting time comes and little froglets are around in the grass. It is a massacre.

[Stanley]

Ah, the English obsession with trimming lawns as soon as the grass pokes up a bit. Why don't we leave them longer and enjoy the resulting meadow?

[Julie in Norfolk]

In this house, grass is cut so presents left for us by Samu-el and Hunny can be spotted before accidental steppings. However the principle...

[Julie in Norfolk]

I'm also concerned about water temperature, since last weekend's spawning we have had ground frosts. This is of course the practical basis for multiple fertilization and abandonment rather than the investment in a single fertilizations.

[Stanley]

Don't worry, amazing what they can survive.....

[Moh]

I have not ventured into the rear garden since my fall, so will ask hubby to check our ponds.

[Sue]

Nothing in our garden yet

[David Whipp]

I don't know how long they've been there, but this lot look happy in an old bath in our garden today.

[Stanley]

Could be extremely happy! Or is it just my dirty mind......

[Julie in Norfolk]

Of course they're happy with their progeny all around them! Who wouldn't be! (Whilst they're still young).

[David Whipp]

Here's the frogspawn a fortnight on.

[Stanley]

They're going to warm up from now on.... Looks as though they may survive.

[David Whipp]

The frogs have spawned in an old bath in the garden which collects water from our roof. There's not a lot to eat in there. The tadpoles are veggie until their legs grow. They appreciate bread to feed on before then. After that, I think they prefer each other...

When the bath is in danger of drying out, we've kept it topped up with water.

The only year we've not seen some of them through to baby frog stage is when there was a cloudburst and the volume of water flushed the bath out.

[hartley353]

Every year the frogs and toads spawn in our pond, and every year the carp have a feast. Very few leave the pond as fully developed toads or frogs, but as nature intended some do, and they will be around the garden till the next year.

[David Whipp]

Quite a few tadpoles wriggling about amongst the frogspawn now.

[Stanley]

Oneguy is wonderful, all life is here.....

[David Whipp]

A month on from the previous picture and the surviving tadpoles are much bigger.

[David Whipp]

The tadpole's legs are growing; 11th June, between 5 and 6 weeks since the previous picture.