What happens when the temp drops?

~T~ · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011, 08:55 AM

So at the end of last week frogs were heading to my local little pond in a field beside a busyish road. Last Friday was a wet mild evening and I saved quite a few. I had a look in the pond in daylight on the Sunday and there were maybe a about 20 frogs bobbing about but no spawn yet. But this week the temp dropped and the mornings are quite frosty with a thin layer of ice on the pond. Will the frogs already in the pond continue breeding as normal? Will more frogs arrive if when the weather warms a bit? Basically just want to know if my frog crossing duties will still be needed or if they will now just arrive in small numbers. I've not seen evidence of toads breeding there in previous years but can't rule it out. I think they do usually breed around mid to late march here though.

dampflippers · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011, 09:34 AM

Below 5*C they are less likely to travel to ponds, so you shouldn't be needed for patrol duty. I would think that those that are caught out en route by a cold snap will hide away in tussocks of grass etc until it is warmer.

Last week I had around 20 frogs and a similar number of smooth newts visible in the pond at night. The pond is now frozen.

~T~ · #3 (**permalink**) 04-03-2011, 08:47 AM

Thanks for the advice. Today is a bit milder and damp so I'll check to see if my duties are needed again tonight

~T~ · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 10:43 PM

Had a look in the pond tonight when I got home from work since it was still light. Happy to say there was a fair amount of frog spawn in there but no sign of adult frogs or toads. There were the remains of quite a few on the bank though. Probably due to the mink/otter as the spawn remained (though I dunno if herons would leave spawn, I would assume they would eat the whole frog in one).

~T~ · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2011, 06:55 PM

Doh another wet evening and another wave of frogs heading for the pond. I caught about a dozen though quite a few were already squashed again. Why oh why do they pick rush hour to make their move

toadpole · #6 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 05:36 PM

i know ...its soooo sad

marion

~T~ · #7 (**permalink**) 25-03-2011, 09:31 AM

Last night I rescued 2 toads from the same place and a couple were already flat. Looks like they are having trouble getting over the kerb at the pond side. I have notified froglife of the crossing. Do you think they will still continue to arrive? last night was an unusually warm dry night too. Are they like frogs and more inclined to travel when it's wet?