First spawn

[Naturenutz]

24th of feb was the first spawning here in my garden this year in south gloucestershire.Fresh lot last night but possible frost forecast so i might cover the spawn.

[swllwmzn]

Big clump of frogspawn appeared yesterday morning - I think it's the earliest we've ever had up here in chilly Newcastle. Very glad to see it after 7 females died in the prolonged cold and snow, despite our ice house

[Paul mabbott]

Several large clumps of spawn for the past three days - may have been earlier but I hadn't looked - much too early!

This despite it being very cold although water hasn't frozen for at least a week. I've never had spawn in February and, commonly it has arrived in April. So what makes them so keen this year.

For interest (maybe), at least to demonstrate why this is so unusual, first spawn dates over the past ten years:
2010 16/3
2009 1/3
2008 3/3
2007 21/3
2006 21/3
2005 20/3
2004 4/4
2003 28/3
2002 14/3
2001 3/4
2000 17/3

[toadpole]

that is so interesting i keep dates of my spawnings too although i dont go back as far as you ....but last year the 3 other ponds nearby all had spawn at least 3 weeks before me and this year (one has sadly been filled in )only 1 has spawn the other no sign of any frogs at all ....it goes to show that my ''signature ''is right !!!!! Marion

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

For interest (maybe), at least to demonstrate why this is so unusual, first spawn dates over the past ten years:

2010 16/3
2009 1/3
2008 3/3
2007 21/3
2006 21/3
2005 20/3
2004 4/4
2003 28/3
2002 14/3
2001 3/4
2000 17/3

....A very interesting fluctuation. My own interpretation on seeing that, is that nothing particularly unusual is going on.

It would be additionally interesting to know how warm the summers were in each of those years. I'm wondering if there's a connection such that we can invent another 'old wives tale' that early frogspawn means a hot summer following, or perhaps snow in summer!