Frogs and frogspawn

hoppit · #41 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbeau66

personally speaking i think now is the worst time to muck about in the pond, you will do more harm than good, mid autumn is best once most frogs tadpoles and other crawlies have gone,things are just starting to spawn and mate and you risk them going somewhere else or perishing in the turmoil, hope this helps,,

I agree. I wouldn't touch the pond till around late Autumn. Although cutting back a little pondweed wouldn't disturb any activity. However, check the cuttings for any signs of life. I usually place weed cuttings in a bucket of rain water (not tap!) and swill before disposing.

Ladywell · #42 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 01:56 PM

Have been watching for frogs in our toughs at the farm and not seen one yet - however - this morning we have one lot of frogspawn!! (The trough they use has a lot of weed in it so the frog was obviously hiding!) This is one week earlier than last year.

brilee · #43 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 09:24 PM

Hi all,checked the pond that had 1st frogspawn on 23 02 10 today,10 clumps were seen,and 1st batch is changing to Taddy shape nicely now.The good news is the pair presumed dead on the bottom of another pond,were in fact just in a very torpid state after a few nights below freezing.Incidently anybody wondering if nothings happening in there pond ,a good indication that things are stirring is Mallards/Herons etc in the vicinity of the pond.regards Bri.

posie · #44 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brilee

Hi all,checked the pond that had 1st frogspawn on 23 02 10 today,10 clumps were seen,and 1st batch is changing to Taddy shape nicely now.The good news is the pair presumed dead on the bottom of another pond,were in fact just in a very torpid state after a few nights below freezing.Incidently anybody wondering if nothings happening in there pond ,a good indication that things are stirring is Mallards/Herons etc in the vicinity of the pond.regards Bri.

Thanks for the info Bri, yes I have had 2 mallard 3 nights ago and the flippin' heron has been in 4 times today, even though I chase him off by clapping my hands, I did wonder if this meant anything. I also think that some ponds, mine included are a bit too deep because of all the wet weather, 'cos I believe frogs prefer shallow water to spawn in....Posie...

Hedera · #45 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 10:27 PM

Found five clumps of spawn in my little pond today. Two looked a bit black so have got frosted, haven't looked since last Sunday though. One was very recently laid. Two or three frogs plopped in. This is about the same time as last year.

posie · #46 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 10:49 PM

That sounds promising Hedera, I'm still waiting..

...Posie...

Susie · #47 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 07:42 PM

I checked the pond when I got home from work tonight, nothing here either.

reino · #48 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 10:02 PM

Hello, I'm new to pond keeping and the forum, so have been very interested to read all the posts.

We set up our pond last May and had quite a few frogs in it over the summer. At times I also removed algae which formed on the top with a net, and intended to have a bit of a clear up again this weekend, but was unsure if it was safe to do so in case there may be some frog spawn in there.

After reading the posts it seems best if I leave well alone at the moment, but I too now want to start checking my pond for signs of mating and frogspawn.
This is going to be difficult as I can't see into the pond because of algae and overgrown plants, so should I just move it to one side of the pond for now and what time of day do you check the pond for activity?
I would be grateful for any advice you can give me.
Reino

monkey · #49 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 10:16 PM

I have had 2 large clumps spawn for about a week now in my quite large pond, the spawn is larger than last 2 years amounts. Just hope it doesnt get damaged in next few weeks by frosts etc as we are still getting frosts and having to scrape car windows in mornings

Fingers crossed

Linda

posie · #50 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 10:34 PM

Hi Monkey, it's the Heron and Wild Ducks that will threaten any frogs/frogspawn/newts in my pond. The ducks aren't so bad, if I've shooed them off they don't try again 'till the next day.... but the blinkin' Heron is SO persistent, he's been flying in and out all day , which I'm told is a good indication of frog activity. I see you're Southampton area like me.....Posie...