On Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:28:59 +0000, Spider wrote:

On 17/02/2012 19:43, Jake wrote:
On 17 Feb 2012 19:01:06 GMT, 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
=======================================
Urgling happily from the dryer end of Swansea Bay.
A raisin is just a grape with sunburn.



Jake is spot-on, as usual.

Your pond should provide some plant cover and hiding places so the frogs
feel safe. Since yours will be primarily a wildlife pond to nurture
frogs, it is important that you don't add fish. Fish think frogspawn
and tadpoles are yummy :~(.

There should be plant cover close to the pond so the frogs can leave the
water in safety (they only meet and mate in water).

You should avoid the use of chemicals, but especially slug/snail
poisons, otherwise your frogs will die. You will need to be very
careful mowing the lawn after the young frogs have left the pond. Many
frogs are killed by mower blades in summer.

Get a book on water gardening, which will cover ponds, bog gardens and
plants for both. Once you're really involved, you will probably be glad
of an id guide for pondlife fauna so that you can identify friend from foe.

As Jake says, you need to start digging. In the meantime, a makeshift
mini-pond in a large planter or tank will make your frogs-to-be more
comfortable.

Good luck.

I may have fans but I am not infallible. But thanks, Spider.

One thing that is important - the "birthing pool" is where the spawn
hatches and it's to that that the mummies and daddies of tomorrow will
return. It's important that your new pond is in situ (and the spawn in
it) before the babies emerge. Don't ask me to explain why - that's one
of nature's mysteries but all the more wonderous for that.

You may think that digging a hole in your lawn or whatever is an
invasion of your space. But if you're like me, in a few years' time
you'll be watching that hole like a hawk and relishing the spring orgy
followed by the spawn and hatching. And those little critters will
become your own children. Daft, I know, but wait and see - you'll find
I'm right!

Enjoy

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