Find a new home for Frogs / Toads

[misstee]

Hi,
I am about to re-landscape my garden and need to fill in a pond, I know there are frogs or toads in there as i have seen them and wonder what the best thing to do is? I will wait untill all the tadpoles have turned into frogs / toads so they have a better chance in life but I wasn't sure if I should try and collect them up and move them or simply carefully empty the pond and let them hop away to find a new home for themselves?? My idea is to slowly empty the pond of water then start to remove everything that's growing in there (which is alot as it has been left for several years) but this is going to be a slow process. I know some would just fill the pond in but I haven't the heart to squash anything! Any ideas are welcome?
Thanks Alot.

[Jim Ford]

What about puncturing a small hole in the bottom of the pond so it slowly dries out - slow enough to allow wildlife to complete the aquatic part of their life-cycle, before finally filling it in.

Jim

[Kayleigh]

Why...

get rid of wildlife's habitat...have you any plans for another pond.
imagine all the confused frogs and toads come this time next year when their breeding ground has gone..

If you are set on the idea of removing habitat then at least wait till the tadpoles have turned in to frogs and left the pond say Aug/Sept time.

[dampflippers]

What a shame to lose the pond. Please try to keep it if at all possible.
Your pond has matured into such a rich wildlife haven if it attracts both frogs and toads, and I wouldn't bet against some newts as well.

If it's because there are young children, a strudy non climbable fence around it or a plastic or metal grid laid over the top are both well tried safety measures.

Do any of your neighbours have ponds? The frogs and toads (especially toads) will return to the site of the pond each spring to try to spawn.

If you just want rid of the pond because it has become a bit overgrown or neglected, it won't take too much work to bring it back. It is best to wait until the tadpoles have gone for this though.
Start by removing dead leaves and stems, then cut back runners of things like mint which have spread too much. Try not to remove more that a third of the plants each year- this way you won't destroy the pond's ecosystem.

I hope you manage to keep it.

[dampflippers]

I forgot to say, go out with a torch one evening when it's dark and peer into the pond. You will find it fascinating and should be able to see more than in the day. Look out for your tadpoles, newts, various beetles, dragonfly larvae etc.

[meinchewster]

Hi Misstee,

Firstly its such a shame to get rid of a declining and important habiat as garden ponds are now a saviour of our native amphibian species along with many species of invertebrates. If you can avoid filling in the pond, so much the better.

Just a word of warning, there may be legal implications should your pond support Great crested newts and even common newts, common toad and frog are all protected along with their habitat which cannot be destroyed intentionally if you know they are breeding there (which they are).

Regards.