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Ponds in the UK

Spawn II

19 years ago

I don't believe it--last night the croaking and activity started again and there is new spawn on top of the spawn that was laid 5 weeks ago! (Which by the way is hatching despite being under ice most nights). My neighbour lost all her spawn in the ice, but also has new spawn this week.

Is it usual for frogs to spawn twice in a season?

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Comments (19)

annabel_
19 years ago
just got mine this week,,but are they making up for it!
its like a swimming baths in there ;-)
dampflippers
19 years ago
I haven't even seen a frog at all yet annabel...let'hope it's not too long here!
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Sean_McKinney
19 years ago
I have spawn too :-))))))). It looks fresh. I will have to put the heron fence up tomorrow around that pond otherwise the frogs will be heron dinner, if they havent been already.
Scotty24
19 years ago
Had a small amount of spawn yesterday morning...by mid afternoon the pond was heaving with it!!:-)))
Today...even more.
My ponds are netted but somehow the frogs (apart from the many who overwintered in the ponds) still manage to find a way through.
Plenty of food for the fish soon.
Sean_McKinney
19 years ago
5 clumps in the wildlife pond and more on the way, I interrupted one ardent pair with a torch. Whoops!
ponddipperdave
19 years ago
Back to the original thread,
I haven't heard of frogs laying twice in a season, It's a near death experience for the females. More likely a few latecomers who have had further to travel.
As in other years, My Salford Pond was spawned End of Feb but here in Manchester 5 miles away the frogs have only just started. It may have something to do with the accessibility to the ponds ! See Gallery
kate_fenland
19 years ago
Hello Everybody, I discovered my first ever clump of frogspawn this morning. It's amazing how fast it grows. I have a small area to the side of my pond and was wondering what you'd consider the best kind of 'froglet reserve' to be?
Sean_McKinney
19 years ago
very shallow shelves and shallow sides to allow them to escape easily when they want to, up to 6 clumps this morning and shifted a baggy frog from the fishpond to the wildlife pond. Still dont see frogspawn in the fishpond
chippewacat
Original Author
19 years ago
It's great to hear about the sightings of spawn (and there is nothing like the excitement of your first....clump)

I think you're right ponddipperdave, the new spawn is from late arrivals. I have been going through information sites and females only do it once a year, males all through the year if they get a chance.

Also, just found out how to tell the difference between frog tadpoles and toad tadpoles. Toad tadpoles stay black as they develop, and frogs go that lovely mottled gold colour. I will have to have a look this year, as I have not seen toad spawn (but it can be very well hidden), but I have found a couple toadlets in the garden. Most of the toads disappear in the spring so they must spawn someplace quite a distance away, but I hope they will figure out they don't have to go so far. Anyway, I will look at the tadpoles very closely later in the year. The ones I have brought inside the house are getting very big now so it won't be long before they go back into the pond and hopefully some will be big enough to escape from the dragonflies nymphs!
alison_froglady
19 years ago
Most of my frogs came back last night and are busy spawning. At the last count I had 41 frogs. Sonny took a video this evening, but it was quite dark. We have put a small video clip on the website. It isn't brilliant, but the sound is nice. I always think they sound like a loud cat purring. If you want to go and see, it is still www.the-horsfalls.co.uk I get so excited when they all come back. I never get any work done on the first day as I am so busy looking out of the window at them. Today was so busy in the garden, the birds were just swooping everywhere and yet the frogs didn't take any notice. As soon as I went out they all hid under the watercress. I haven't noticed my little toads yet. I hope they have done well and survived the winter.
Alison
chippewacat
Original Author
19 years ago
Wow Alison--love the clip and the sound! Very envious that you get daytime viewing too as mine prefer moonlight! One did pose in the daytime earlier in amongst the spawn and I'm very proud of that picture--but I still cannot figure out how to get it posted....
Saswaa
19 years ago
I haven`t found any spawn at all yet. Might go and find some in the country to import.
Aitch
19 years ago
Last weekend we had about 8 frogs cavorting about in the shallows of the pond - but then they all disappeared. No frogspawn yet either so I'm very jealous of everyone elses!
dampflippers
19 years ago
I've 3 clumps now, and I can watch the activity on my TV next to me via my security camera pond cam. Unfortunately it is only picking up wind, so I can't hear the croaking.
Annieo
19 years ago
We had our first clump of spawn yesterday
Second year we have had it
AnnieO
alison_froglady
19 years ago
On my last count today 50 frogs were frolicking in the watercress. They have left many circles of spawn all over the shallows, but I have already noticed that the fish are up there too. they are probably expecting a nice feast.Can we start feeding the fish yet? It is quite mild tonight but of course that can change so quickly and I don't want to start feeding only to have to stop again if it gets too cold. We got a much better video of the frogs today so have changed it on the website. They are so cute and we managed to get right up next to them and they didn't hide under the watercress.
Alison
awblessmesturgeon
19 years ago
have a large frog in residence. no spawn as yet prob for best - koi fodder! we gave the fish they're first (light)breakfast in months today! lets hope it stays mild?
dampflippers
19 years ago
I've got 7 clumps now and they're still at it. Pond cam is working well.
Kate:
You need lots of oxygenators and marginals in the pond; a beach or conveniently placed stones/pebbles/plant stalks for froglets to crawl out on; and escape route not over unsealed concrete which will dehydrate them, then an area of uncut grass/bog plants/herbaceous plants etc which is linked to say a hedge or shrub area. A rock pile and/or log pile are good. I have some old tiles propped for cover which I found some hiding under last year.....and hand cut your grass in dodgy areas.
BBasically what you need to provide is cover to hide from birds, somewhere to keep moist, and somewhere they can find food.
Aitch
19 years ago
The frogs came back on Thursday and wasted no time - we now have at least five lots of frog spawn and lots of activity still going on in the pond - approx 20 frogs I think. Love the sound they make - could hear some of it through the double glazing last night. The frogspawn arrived 1 day later than last year so no global warming effects here yet!

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