On 17 Feb 2012 19:01:06 GMT, "AL_n" wrote:

I was out doing a bit of pre-spring faffing around today, and was surprised
to find that some frogs are alive and kicking in a couple of washing-up
bowls I placed outside under the shelter of bushes, last Spring. I may have
woken them up from their winter hibernation. Frankly, I was amazed that
anything was still alive and kicking in one of the bowls, because the water
was opaque!

I want to do everything I can to harbour frogs in my garden, because they
eat slugs, (or so I'm told) - and slugs are the No.1 menace around here!

Can anyone share any tips on making life as comfortable as possible for
these croaking allies?

Al

If you've got frogs romping in bowls at this time of year, you've got
frogs that are doing what comes naturally. Them frogs will spawn. The
spawn will develop into tadpoles and them tadpoles stand a chance of
developing into frogs. But not in bowls!

It's an often forgotten fact that frogs tend to return to their
birthing pool/pond/washing up bowl to mate the following year.

So you've now done it. You need to dig a pond. Quickly. Transfer the
spawn from your washing bowls into the pond and sit back and wait like
an expectant father.

I dug a pond 20 years ago. The frogs found it a year later. Things
grew from there. I've counted over 20 at it today(and a lot more under
water waiting their turn) with 3 lots of spawn so far (and I can still
see a few of last year's tadpoles swimming around - they're late
developers). Early days yet.

So get digging. Not a moment to lose. Unless, of course, you don't
have paternal instincts! :-)

Cheers, Jake
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Urgling happily from the dryer end of Swansea Bay.
A raisin is just a grape with sunburn.