Go out in your garden tonight with a torch!

[brenbee]

I went out in my dressing gown with my torch last night & saw 1 of my common Newts In my pond. Must have just come out of hibernation.

[sheiladrums]

Don't know when it appeared during the week, don't think it was there Weds, but saw masses of frogspawn in my tiny pond today - so excited! I've noticed in previous years that other batches can subsequently be laid - don't know if that would be a good thing tho, as what's there already covers about 1/3 of the surface area of the pond. Is there an upper limit on what a small pond can support? Guess that if there are too many the numbers will decline until a stable population emerges. Shame really
Incidentally, some of the little black blobs didn't look right - appeared to be white, almost looked mouldy, tho I'm not suggesting they are mouldy - was a bit concerned about this, tried to get some out to have a closer look, but it was too gooey and I couldn't separate individual eggs. Any advice, anyone?
Went out with a torch a couple of years ago to look for something we'd lost in the garden, happened to shine it into the pond, saw a leech - rather an unpleasant surprise, but guess it's all part of the ecosystem.

[Pogo]

Tried it last night and found two large frogs, during the summer I only ever saw smaller ones so I was very pleased.

My parents have a raised ornamental pond with a few gold fish, they'd drain it half down and clear all the gunk from the bottom each winter and they always found frogs hiding or hibernating amongst the pond rubbish. I was hoping I'd get the same and because I didn't want to disturb them I've left all the debris in the pond over winter, do I really need to clear it out? If I do when's a good time? I don't want to interfere with their breeding or frighten them away.

[dampflippers]

Sheiladrums:
The white ones are either no fertilised, or they have been frosted. No harm to leave them as there will be plenty that will hatch.

Here is a link to Froglife - conserving native frogs, toads, newts, lizards, snakes 's latest newsletter about frogspawn:
Froglife news: Myths exposed: “Too much spawn?”

Lots of other info on froglife too.

[sheiladrums]

Thanks for this dampflippers - I don't think it's been frosty in the last couple of days here (just north of Brighton), so your other suggestion must be the answer.
I'd forgotten about Froglife - thanks for reminding me! Will check them out.
Sheila

[shei111]

Ive not seen much life in or about the pond yet this year, no frog spawn either , I had loads of tadpoles last year then froglets , so I expect I will see life about soon . sheila

[marktench]

Think i got too many fish in my pond for frogs or newts

[Hedge Witch]

I've just seen a newt in my pond very briefly. (I'm a very happy bunny ). I will try the old torch trick tonight. Can't wait.

[Cheryl]

I didn't think I had anything in my pond - I check it most days but I've just been out with my torch and we definitely have at least one frog - I didn't see it but I did hear it; not so much a croak as a rolling croak - if that makes sense.