Massively frost damaged leaking frozen garden pond. Frog help please?

[izzie]

HI.
Our pond is JUST about deep enough at best for frogs.It was build as a water feature but we kept wildlife in mind. Because of it's shape (it was built instead of a bought plastic molded pond by necessity because it is all naturally occuring large rocks in the ground) it is reinforced concrete rather than liner.
There are approx 8 adult native frogs and other various sizes due to breeding and at least one common newt which live there permanently.
We had leakage problems last winter so created a temp pool in the summer and transfered everything over while we fixed it (hence knowing what resides in it ) and we transfered most of the silt from the bottom of the pond back into it when we'd done.

This harsh few days has suddenly caused enormous leakage and the pond is emptying to about 6-8 inches in the bottom overnight leaving a 'hovering' sheet of ice with the water level way below it. We are refilling each morning (with unfortunately what is less than ideal tap water) in a desperate attempt to keep it reasonable for the wildlife, assuming that some frogs might have hibernated in the silt.

The question is: IF we get any respite from the ice soon, what is the feasibilty of moving hibernating frogs into a temp pond to try and keep them alive (assuming we could find them in the mud)? and does anyone have any othr idea or advice please?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by izzie

The question is: IF we get any respite from the ice soon, what is the feasibilty of moving hibernating frogs into a temp pond to try and keep them alive (assuming we could find them in the mud)? and does anyone have any othr idea or advice please?

It would be best to release them into a sheltered location next to the pond such as a log pile and let them make their way back into the new pond if they desire. It might also be worth covering the enire only pond with some sacking etc, to try and hold more heat it and offer a little extra shelter.

[tom00_uk]

if the ponds failed as badly as it sounds then might as well make the most of the present dry soil (though wait for it to thaw first or you will need a mechanical digger) and expand/repair/improve it now.

Then before the new season gets going it can fill via precipitation and develop naturally

[nightshade]

Sacking and woodchip for amphib. cover, I have had tubs with fish and air pumps, in the garage and shed before now when the Heron kindly stabbed a rent in my liner.

[animartco]

Hi Izzie,
I wouldn't worry too much about your leaking pond. The newts and possibly most of the frogs will be hibernating in the rockery around it, not in the pond itself. The important thing for amphibians is lack of disturbance of the ground around the pond during the winter. So long as the frogs are under a lot of matted weed and some mud it won't matter if the pond dries out completely.

[izzie]

Hi. Thank you everyone for your advice. We have located the problem which is gap between rock and concrete all around one of the sandstones which makes up the bottom of the pond. You can actually get your little finger down all the way around, its so bad. The frogs are awake... my husband saw 2 last week swimming around when he filled it up, but now we're back at work it will have to wait for repairwork. if we have no more extreme conditions in a couple of weeks we will try to fix it once we have the temp pond in place again. Will keep you posted but any other advice is very welcome in the meantime.