Homing Frogs

[Moh]

We have no frogs or spawn

[Stanley]

I think that on the whole Spring is a bit slower this year but then it has a habit of surprising us. It's early days yet and a few mild days can make a big difference. No sign of a change yet.....

[Julie in Norfolk]

I am a little late, the homing frogs are abundant, the pond a rippling orgy of frogspawn making and laying.

[Moh]

Will have to check our ponds - but it may be warmer where Julie is so ours could be later.

[Wendyf]

Just checked our pond and there are three or four frogs enjoying the sunshine but no spawn as yet.

[Tizer]

When we moved to this house we put a pond in the garden and quickly had newts and toads arriving but rarely found frogs. We had a large quantity of tadpoles given to us last year by someone who was going to fill in a pond. We put them in our pond but they never changed into frogs! I'll have to look and see if they survive winter.

[Stanley]

How nice to see this topic again. It's the OG version of Springwatch!

[Sue]

Nothing in our pond. I had a close look yesterday when I was gardening. There has been a definite decrease over the last few years.

[Julie in Norfolk]

I believe that all the frogs are in my pond! Like a bubbling cauldron it is!

[Stanley]

That's Norfolk for you.......

[chinatyke]

The next time we get some evening rain I intend going to the park opposite us and collecting some baby toads for my roof garden and pond. I noticed last year that after rainfall lots of tiny toads were hopping along the road one night but I think it was about April.

[Stanley]

Thanks for that lovely mental image China.... I can see you in my mind's eye with your little net on a stick!

[chinatyke]

Jam jar on a string and knotted hankie on my head...

[Tizer]

You and Julie should get together - with her bubbling cauldron and your toads you'd do a good line in magical spells and alternative remedies!

[Wendyf]

The frogs are busy in the pond this morning.

[chinatyke]

It's a perfect evening for frogs and toads, very warm, misty and wet. So I have just been for a walk on the look-out for baby toads and spotted none. I heard some croaking in the overgrown areas. Must be still too early in the year for the hatchlings even though we've had a brilliant winter and tomorrow's forecast is 28C/82f. I'll have another look in a couple of weeks time.

[Stanley]

What a lovely pic Wendy......

[Wendyf]

Thanks Stanley, I was well pleased with it! Full zoom on my new camera.

[Stanley]

It's working! And you must have rock steady elbows......

[Julie in Norfolk]

Homing frogs back in pond. Barely 2 days ago the pond was frozen over, tonight at 17.00 it has frog spawn and croaking frogs.

[Stanley]

Wonderful Julie!! Now that is a sign of Spring...... They may get caught out by a late frost but the year is officially under way!

[Tizer]

A lovely photo of the frog, Julie! Some years ago we spent a week in a holiday cottage on a farm in a valley just behind Dartmouth. It was the first week in February and when we walked to the bottom of the valley there was lots of frog spawn in the marshy areas. The frogs there have adapted to the mild maritime climate. If any of you have been to the coast close to Dartmouth you'll probably know Blackpool Sands (the other Blackpool!). The stream running through the farm ran out on that beach to the sea.

[Stanley]

I predict that it won't be long until this topic springs to life again. I know it's early but there are already signs that the season is turning. I am an incurable optimist when I see the days lengthening......

[Wendyf]

First signs of froggy activity in the pond this morning!

[Julie in Norfolk]

Friday morning 22 Feb for our first frog on frog sightings, however we have had a lot of tree felling activity next to the pond which may have disturbed their routine. Massive old cherry tree will be sadly missed but had started to drop branches and was rotten at the core.