Calling toad in June?

Africa · #1 (**permalink**) 04-06-2011, 10:34 PM

I was visiting a Pearson Park wildlife garden today when I heard a distinct call coming from the pond, a soft, rhythmic "cooh, cooh, cooh, cooh..". When I got closer to the pond, the calling it stopped. After repeating going away the calling would start within a few minutes. I checked on the web and it is very similar to a toad call. But, why would toads be calling at this time of year? could it be something else?

King Edward · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 12:41 PM

Could be a toad - some do continue to hang about the pond even after the spawning season is over.

Africa · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 08:05 PM

Thank you King Edward!

~T~ · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 11:57 PM

I've heard toads calling in summer too.

toadpole · #5 (**permalink**) 06-06-2011, 05:56 PM

yes mine often call at around mid afternoon for some reason

also noticed that if one of my crows comes and sits in the big oak nr my pond and ''squawks''one of the toads answers it

it must be the pitch of the noise they respond to ...well thats what i decided it was ....made me smile tho

...Marion

Africa · #6 (**permalink**) 06-06-2011, 07:11 PM

That's most interesting! This one was also mid afternoon, between 2 and 3 pm both times. This wildlife pond as far as I know has no breeding toads, but maybe it is that the frogs are so plentiful we miss the toads! I shall keep an eye next year, and I am very happy to have heard a toad calling.

toadpole · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 04:59 PM

hi africa

well my toads did not breed in my pond either

they just tend to arrive in the warmer months and use my large log pile to spend the summer on and under ...they are returning toads that i ''grew on '' from toadpoles i was given a few years running but have never bred freely of their own accord ....a few males turn up in feb march and call a bit but no females have ever arrived

last yr i found a pair in amplexus nr my front lawn caught them and they did spawn

(one of the most amazing days of my life)...but i think it was because they were worn out and desperate

...so i keep hoping and praying every year for it to happen naturally ....looking at the males they have been quite small but this year i have had 9 toads return and a couple are quite large so i hope they are maturing females ....fingers and toes crossed ....marion