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Post by rowanberry on Feb 18, 2021 21:06:46 GMT
After being so completely frozen over for over a week, it is surprising how quickly the pond is coming back to life. I saw two frogs in amplexus today, (which is a bit optimistic for mid-Feb) and even a newt swimming about.  |
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Post by aeshna5 on Feb 19, 2021 3:52:19 GMT
Having seen somebody post an image of a pair of frogs in their garden pond in Ealing (the borough I also live in) on the local wildlife Facebook site I checked my pond (though live in the outer part of the borough) & also places in nearby Perivale Park & the Northolt & Greenford Country Park yesterday but no sign of any froggy activity yet. I normally expect to see spawning here in the second half of February if the conditions are suitable-milder temperatures combined with showers/rain which is what we've had in recent days. Some years when it's colder then spawning may occur here in March.
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Post by katiso on Feb 23, 2021 18:03:19 GMT
Went out with the torch last night and I have a fat female and a male. Not hooked up yet. I have a tiny pond, I can step over it, but it sees a lot of action. I'm looking forward to more frogs soon. A rainy night seems to bring them all out at once.
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Post by rowanberry on Feb 23, 2021 21:32:13 GMT
Saw three newts today- probably looking forward to all the spawn soon to be coming!
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Post by katiso on Feb 25, 2021 15:33:47 GMT
Frogs busy last night and I have my first spawn. Still only one pair but expecting more spawn soon
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Post by rowanberry on Feb 25, 2021 20:52:00 GMT
I discovered from the trail cam last night some drastic measures will need to be taken around the pond asap. It seems the foxes have learned to jump over the low wire fencing I've put up, and they perch on the narrow edge of the pond in an attempt to go frog-hunting. I don't begrudge the foxes a much-needed evening snack, but I worry one will fall in and not be able to get out... or else wreck all the pond baskets trying to climb out. A few years ago a cub drowned in our neighbour's pond while he was in hospital, and I had the unhappy task of burying the poor thing- don't want to have to do that again if I can avoid it. (If for no other reason than our garden topsoil is laced with substantial tree roots- digging anything is a near-impossible chore!) And the neighbours will wonder what dodgy deeds I'm up to....  Tomorrow I'll need to try and make the fencing higher- it will not look attractive, but needs must. What I'd really like is one of these- but WOW, the cost! creativepondcovers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/dome-2020-2-1.jpgIf I win EuroMillions this weekend, this is definitely going on my wish-list! |
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