In article , Miss
Perspicacia Tick writes

We used to have frogs, but then the local heron decided that he wanted a
change from fish. Haven't had any for about four years now (though I'm still
optimistic they'll return). We do, however, have at least two common newts.

I'm not sure the newts are good news for frogs. Newts feed on tadpoles.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

"Kay" wrote
I'm not sure the newts are good news for frogs. Newts feed on tadpoles.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

It all balances out. We have many newts and many frogs. We also get regular
visits from the Heron.
The least agile goldfish long since got swallowed but the few that remain
continue to evade being eaten. (A liberal supply of rocks and old clay tubes
on the bottom of the ponds provide air-raid shelter!)
The frogs have already met and deposited copious amounts of healthy spawn.
Some of the tadpoles will help our newts to thrive, some will fatten the
dragonfly nymphs. And a few will leave the pond, evade the blades of the
lawnmower and return as adults.

In article , Tumbleweed
writes

"Kay" wrote
I'm not sure the newts are good news for frogs. Newts feed on tadpoles.

It all balances out.

Depends on other things, though, doesn't it?
Fortunately, the weedy ponds favoured by newts for breeding also have
lots of cover for the frog tadpoles. But if a couple of newts took up
residence in a sparsely weeded pond, the could wreak havoc among the
tadpoles. But then that's why frogs breed as they do - lots of spares.

We have many newts and many frogs. We also get regular
visits from the Heron.

Likewise. But now the newt population is topping 50, I think we are
beginning to see the effect on the number of young frogs that we get.
Certainly the front pond, with only one newt, had a lot more frog
tadpoles later in the season than did the back pond which is the one the
newts favour.


--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

Kay wrote:
In article , Miss
Perspicacia Tick writes

We used to have frogs, but then the local heron decided that he
wanted a change from fish. Haven't had any for about four years now
(though I'm still optimistic they'll return). We do, however, have
at least two common newts.

I'm not sure the newts are good news for frogs. Newts feed on
tadpoles.


Good point, Kay, I'd forgotten that - and a plague of dragonflies wouldn't
help the situation, either. But I've definitely seen the heron taking
frogs...
--
Facon - the artificial bacon bits you get in Pizza Hut for sprinkling
on salads.