Scouser, congratulations! The "separate" eggs" you mentioned? Are the eggs coated with jelly or is it just single eggs stuck to the underside of the leaves? If it is the latter they sure could be newts eggs. If they are covered with jelly and in a long string/ribbon, they are toads spawn. Frog spawn is in clumps. Happy hatching! "Horton"

Hi Beatrice: Welcome to the pond forum. I have been ponding for 10 years now and I always tend to rush the season when we have nice weather. Your frogs are probably still in hibernation. One year when we had an early spring I hurried to get the pond up and running. When I vacuumed my top pond and settlement pond I found what I thought were five frogs dead. I placed them on the ground in a row till I had time to bury them. I didn't get to it that day, and when I looked for them the next morning they were gone. I guess they were still hibernating and when I took them out of the cold pond water and laid them in the sun they eventually warmed up and jumped back into the pond. Last year was the first year I had tadpoles. I hope some of them made it through the winter. I haven't seen any frogs yet. One of my pond forum buddies told me they will probably appear in May. She, too, thought she lost her frog last year, but it showed up in May. She reminded me we are still in April and even though we are having warm weather the pond water is still cold. Hang in there, they should be waking up soon. Jenny

Hi, I was wondering if there is anyone in the Annapolis area or nearby with a pond who might have some frog spawn soon? I have three kids and would love for them to see developing frogs. I don't want to buy online because I've read about the dangers of introducing bullfrogs etc. who then eat all the native frogs. Thanks! Sandra

I am intrigued about what you consider to be sinister.....! Seriously though, it does sound like very innocent frog spawn. Keep hoping to get toad spawn, or if we have it to actually see it this year. I saw some mating (one female with many hangers on) a couple of years ago in some one else's pond, and went back the next day to find long ropes looped around pond weed in a very complex way. Anyone lucky enough to get toad spawn?