Any experts on frogspawn out there!!!

babyblooz

Hello, got a bit of a problem with frogspawn. We have frogs that live under our shed, and seem to be happy there, because they have lived in our garden for at least six or seven years.

Last week, when it was hot, we had the water feature turned on, which is basically just a pebble pool, where water trickles over the pebbles, then gets pumped back up. We saw a frog there, but thought nothing of it, just thought it was having a little rest. Next day, when water feature had been turned off, we saw what looked like a rotting leaf or something, but when we looked closely it was frogspawn, that was drying up and shriveled. I put it into some water, where it sank to the bottom, but thought, 'nothing ventured nothing gained'. Now 2 days later, it has swollen back up and I am sure the black spots in the middle look bigger than before. Does anyone know if there is any chance of the little froggies making it! Needless to say, hubby has now been informed he HAS to leave the water feature running, as I cannot cope with the thought that those little froggies have died because of us! Do frogs lay spawn in batches, or is that the end of frogs in our garden for ever. They do a grand job of eating up the creepy crawlies, so I like to have them living in our garden.

Any advice welcome!!!

Tam_Lin

We've got frogspawn all hidden in the blanketweed in our pond; only realised when we were cleaning it out. It looks like tapioca and does tend to clump together. As long as there's some water (doesn't have to be running), they'll probably make it. Any way you can transfer it into a bucket or tub?

susy_2

You lucky people you. I would sooo love frogs in my garden! Only every found one once and the cat was tormenting it! Never knew frogs could scream? (seriously).

babyblooz

yes, i will make sure they are in something suitable, but I wasn't sure if they were already dead. hubby says frogspawn should float, and if it doesn't then its curtains for the froggies, but I have been blessed with a more optimistic nature than he has, so I am going to do whatever I can to give them the best chance.

Tam_Lin

Hope they make it.

Yes frogs do scream - our cat brings them in to us and hides them in shoes. And they play dead too. Better that than halfmice though.

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

What a great post ! :T

http://www.erodent.co.uk/GardenPond/March2004.htm

babyblooz

The frogs are so cute! The little ones cling onto the water feature and look like those little brooches old ladies pin on their coats! My grandson thinks they are lovely, and the cat, well, the cat just comes in and tells us very loudly 'there is something in the garden that I can't eat' We know when she has seen a frog, because she has a special yowl that we recognise. Once one hopped into the dining room through the open door, and she didn't know what to make of it, she kept trying to pat it with her paw, but she didn't like the slimy texture of it. I trapped it under a plastic bucket, and then put it back outside. Yesterday, I even poured a bucket of water under the shed so that they would be nice and damp! I think I need therapy! Seriously though I do have a stressful job and I love to commune with nature when possible. It is so much more effective than pills or alcohol.

susy_2

I really hope they make it too. Keep us posted.

So you have cats and frogs then Tam Lin? The cats don't cancel out the frogs then?

EDIT: You both have cats and frogs. (Thinks maybe I could have frogs)

Tam_Lin

babyblooz wrote: »

Seriously though I do have a stressful job and I love to commune with nature when possible. It is so much more effective than pills or alcohol.

Absolutely. I have people yelling and demanding all week in my job, and I forget it all in the evening when I'm watering and planting and inspecting progress. It's very therapeutic.

babyblooz

We have a cat, and a budgie, and frogs. I overwintered a hedgehog once as well, thinking fondly that he would come and visit us sometime. Did he 'eck. He just trundled down the garden waggling his fat little bum, (courtesy of tins of pedigree chum) and we never saw him again. The cat still spends hours looking out over the garden, thinking that she can see him though! In the winter, when the windows steam over, she pushes her nose against the glass trying to spot him, and as she has allergic rhinitis (a constantly runny nose) I have to keep getting down to clean the glass. Ho hum!

babyblooz

Just been looking at the pix on that website, and I think the black spots in the middle are definately getting a bit bigger, but it is quite cool in our garden today, and from what Ive read, its the warmth that encourages them to hatch out. I hope that means that they can adapt to the surroundings and hopefully, survive a day or two of drying out!

I will let you know what happens.

Our other source of great amusement over the weekend has been watching this baby thrush screeching, and I mean SCREECHING for its mum. It has taken up residence on our front porch, our roof, the trees across the road and top of our garage. I think its learning to fly properly and can only manage short hops at the moment. Mum has to do lots of encouraging and she always has something in her mouth to tempt him to fly to her.

Awwwh, aint nature wonderful!

And all this at the side of a main road! Who needs the countryside with crop spraying and tractors! Now I just need to find room for a couple of chickens, and stop the urban foxy getting at them and I will almost be living the good life!