That's encouraging Tom00, I suspect repeated freeze thaw insults will have a cumulative effect, but maybe the upper layers are sacrificed and may not only provide some insulation for the ones below, but as you say, may provide further sustenance once the others have hatched. Last year's tadpoles spent about a week hoovering up the jelly around them before venturing out into the wide open (and dangerous
) parts of the pond. If I get a 50% hatch I will be happy but it's tough for the little blighters, -5.3oC last night and heading down that way again tonight. Local forecasts indicate the next 5 nights will be above zero, so may not have to resort to a refugee camp in my greenhouse or sacrificing my North Face down jacket for the cause
M