Toad Spawn

Madelinew · #1 (**permalink**) 22-02-2007, 04:48 PM

My first. Moved to this house in December and have been loving every minute. At least 5 toads in my upper pond in last few days and a long string of spawn in the lower pond. Also tons of newts and I lifted several dragonfly larvae while thinning out some of the weed today. I've left the weed piled beside the pond so any wildlife can crawl back in. Is there a website anywhere where I can identify the various creatures from the depths?

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 22-02-2007, 04:57 PM

I think this might help. .

http://www.digitalwildlife.co.uk/bri...fe/minibeasts/

Pond dipping - wildlife ponds, frogs and other pond animals for kids

Wild-Woman · #3 (**permalink**) 22-02-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madelinew

My first. Moved to this house in December and have been loving every minute. At least 5 toads in my upper pond in last few days and a long string of spawn in the lower pond. Also tons of newts and I lifted several dragonfly larvae while thinning out some of the weed today. I've left the weed piled beside the pond so any wildlife can crawl back in. Is there a website anywhere where I can identify the various creatures from the depths?

I should think if you're able to get some macro shots of the larvae etc in your pond, we'd all have a go at id'ing for you. Personally, I'd like the challenge as I've developed a bit of a passion for odonates.

jules

fbcpmike · #4 (**permalink**) 22-02-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madelinew

At least 5 toads in my upper pond in last few days and a long string of spawn in the lower pond. Also tons of newts and I lifted several dragonfly larvae while thinning out some of the weed today. I've left the weed piled beside the pond so any wildlife can crawl back in. Is there a website anywhere where I can identify the various creatures from the depths?

Goood to hear about your new wildlife. Try the identification page of RAUK, Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK here

Madelinew · #5 (**permalink**) 23-02-2007, 10:03 AM

Thanks for all the links folks. I'm in 7th heaven here!

I had a frog in an old aquarium we have in the garden and I put in a rock for him(or her?) to sit on and a lump of wood for him to use to climb out in case he had fallen in there in error. When he was sunning himself the other day, I noticed some small leech-like creatures on him. Normal or cause for concern? Tank flushes itself with rainwater regularly and has a small leak so it doesn't stagnate.

schlocky · #6 (**permalink**) 25-02-2007, 12:15 AM

Could be flatworms the most common ones are black - They mostly eat dead plants & animals so I dont think they will harm the frog. By the way - how are you feeding it?

Madelinew · #7 (**permalink**) 25-02-2007, 09:09 AM

I'm not feeding the frog as it's no longer there. I first noticed it buried beneath the weed in the tank and have no idea how long it's been there. It may well have fed itself on the dragonfly larvae that I was nurturing in there and which seems to have disappeared. The frog climbed out after I put a ramp in for it - I think it may have fallen in by accident and the ramp is now there permanently.

RLH · #8 (**permalink**) 25-02-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schlocky

Could be flatworms the most common ones are black - They mostly eat dead plants & animals so I dont think they will harm the frog. By the way - how are you feeding it?

Our garden pond is, unfortunately, home to an increasing population of flatworms. Whilst they do not seem to harm the frogs, newts or toads, they do find frog spawn to be a delicacy and can munch their way through the average 12-15 cm clump of spawn in a few days. I wish I could find a way to get rid of them.