Dead frog in the pond

[jaelen]

I've been away visiting my parents over Christmas, and just got back before the New Year.

Of course one of the first things I did when I got home was to go out and check on the pond... was a bit upset to find a very dead, (and very bloated ) frog lying belly-up on the floor of the pond.

I scooped him out with the net, and have kept an eye on the pond since then- thanks to the colder weather and the rain it's cleared enough for me to see to the bottom now, and there have been several large frogs in it over the past few days.

They seem to be ok, but I'm going to be vigilant about watching out for signs of any ill health over the next few weeks- I'm hoping the first one died due to the erratic weather and not a virus or infection.

Anyone else spotted any problems?

[Billabong Karen]

Oh no, how horrid for you... I've not seen any frogs since around October, dead or alive. Hope they are all safely in hibernation.

[King Edward]

Hopefully just a one off, and not a sign of anything more serious - there must be a certain amount of 'normal' winter mortality even without the effects of ice and disease outbreaks.

I've seen a small number of frogs around at the edges of the ponds (in the water), and also some Smooth Newts looking quite active in the warmer weather, but no Toads or Great Cresteds. Plenty of other pond life though - no Pond Skaters but Water Crickets very active, plus various other bugs, beetles, Daphnia etc.