Toad Advice/Info?

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by DoraMac

Definitely going to investigate creating a half barrel pond, (don't really want a water feature with two barrels) There are some aspects about which I am not sure. Given the sides of the barrel are quite steep, how would frogs etc. enter the pond. Do I need to provide some sort of a "ladder"? Should I sink the barrel into the ground? A half barrel is relatively deep in relation to the circumference, would I need to provide some gradation to enable young to leave the pond?

I have checked out some internet sites but they don't seem to address these issues - just some pretty garden pictures of half barrel ponds.

I was going to say Kayleigh is the exponent of the barrel
I lined mine with pond neoprene and it started out on the patio, later it was moved and incorporated into an earth bank with some local Charlton stone to form a dry stone wall to allow climbing otherwise similar to Kayleighs pond.
I did later add a lipped second half barrel with a very small pump which gave a trickle from above to the lower barrel which helped oxygenate

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I was going to say Kayleigh is the exponent of the barrel
I lined mine with pond neoprene and it started out on the patio, later it was moved and incorporated into an earth bank with some local Charlton stone to form a dry stone wall to allow climbing otherwise similar to Kayleighs pond.
I did later add a lipped second half barrel with a very small pump which gave a trickle from above to the lower barrel which helped oxygenate

Its was purely by accident it was going to be a water feature I got the pump and everything then the frogs took over the pump is still in the garage.

Look out for a barrel that holds rain water at the garden centre this way you wont need to waterproof it as the wood swells and fills the gaps..
Failing that I would get some twine and a screw thread type tool you get for fences wrap is round the barrel and twist to get tentionuntil there are no gaps fill it with water then do a few water changes after to make sure nothing is leeching out of the wood.

[DoraMac]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Its was purely by accident it was going to be a water feature I got the pump and everything then the frogs took over the pump is still in the garage.

Look out for a barrel that holds rain water at the garden centre this way you wont need to waterproof it as the wood swells and fills the gaps..
Failing that I would get some twine and a screw thread type tool you get for fences wrap is round the barrel and twist to get tentionuntil there are no gaps fill it with water then do a few water changes after to make sure nothing is leeching out of the wood.

A barrel pond is definitely on the agenda. I have not had time over past couple of days to visit local garden centres to look at barrels but I have found what may be an ideal spot in the garden for the pond. Just one further question, this spot does get a fair bit of sun although it could be shaded - would it be better to have it completely in shade?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by DoraMac

Just one further question, this spot does get a fair bit of sun although it could be shaded - would it be better to have it completely in shade?

No you need direct sunlight (or mainly sunlight), amphibians love warm shallow ponds. These are full of invertebrate prey and the warmer temp helps tadpoles develop more quickly. Although I would'nt expect toads to use it.

[nightshade]

You can always put a potted shrub alongside to give dappled shade if we get that sort of sunshine. I hope you use a liner, the top edge should be protected from full sun.

[DoraMac]

I have been doing internet searches re half barrels and will probably trawl garden centres tomorrow.

Can anyone advise as to a suitable capacity for a barrel pond? - I see barrels come in all sorts of sizes.

[DD]

I don't really have much advice to offer but I do have a question about Toads as I've found toadspawn on my outside drain. This is the first time I've seen the Toadspawn. We have a small pond and have had frogs for many years, I've seen the Toads before but never the spawn. I'm concerned about leaving it sitting on the drain as it will get water from the washing machine and dish washer! Should I lift it out of harms way into a shallow container with pond water nearby or put it in the pond with the frogs spawn? Any advice would be welcome.

[King Edward]

I think moving it into the pond would probably be best - a drain doesn't sound like a particularly suitable place for either spawn or tadpoles.