At last, frog spawn …

This site had no ponds when we arrived in 2011. Since then we’ve created ten ponds plus several redundant washing-up bowls being called into action too! They’re all rainwater fed and loved by birds and insects - but it is in spring when our big pond gets jumpy with frogs.

A tangle of frogs ..

Our largest pond is George’s Pond created in 2016 and the one favoured by frogs, toads and smooth newts for breeding.

Frog spawn always arrives later here than in other places. Ours can be a cold hill and George’s Pond remains in the shadow of pines on its’ south side for much of the winter, casting a cold shadow and maintaining frost.

Clumps of frog spawn

Our last frog spawn was in 2022 when frogs and spawn were plentiful

We’ve been concerned about the hiatus - but clearly with no need.

Today we found frog spawn and two males claiming the same female. In the breeding season the males call with their characteristic croak and can be identified by their white throats. Females are distinguished as larger than males with a pink suffusion to the skin.

Frog spawn is in clumps, toad spawn in strings and smooth newt spawn is single eggs folded into the leaves of aquatic vegetation.

Frogs are breeding again!