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2017... and so it begins |
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Suzi
Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1025 |
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Funny that I next to never see slow worms basking in the open, although I do look. With the number of cats about I'm glad I can offer the slow worms some safe places. From time to time though I do find dead ones with claw marks on them.
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Suz
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chubsta
Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2013 Location: Folkestone,Kent Status: Offline Points: 430 |
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Plenty of frogs in the pond each night, unfortunately it is still pretty much devoid of weed after the big clear-out a few weeks back so will they still spawn, and without weed for it to sit on/attach to will it just sink to the bottom and die?
Off-topic but still Spring related, saw my first hedgehog running across the garden last night so Spring is definitely here!
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will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
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I would say:
1) yes they will still spawn 2) yes it will sink and die if the water is deeper than about 30cm 3) well done on the hedgehog although those frogs had better watch out.. |
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Caleb
Senior Member Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Status: Offline Points: 660 |
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I saw spawn at 3 sites at the weekend- about a week earlier than last year. Don't forget the "Nature's Calendar" map! |
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Caleb
Senior Member Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Status: Offline Points: 660 |
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Forgot to mention- altitudes of these sites were roughly 15m, 40m and 250m above sea level- yet frogs spawned at all three within a couple of days of each other.
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GemmaJF
Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359 |
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3 clumps of fresh frog spawn in the clay pond this morning!
Does that make all that back-breaking work a couple of years ago worth it? It sure does. |
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GemmaJF
Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359 |
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Now 6 clumps I wonder if there will be more in the morning.
Watching some interesting behaviour today. All the unpaired males seem very attracted to the fresh spawn. Jumping about all around it, climbing on it. I think maybe they are hoping they can fertilize some of it too? I told them, boys you are too late lol.
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Iowarth
Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743 |
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Hi Germma
As you say in your post re the first three clumps - of course it makes all the hard work worthwhile. I am up to 9 clumps now - not an enormous amount but coninuing growth showing the frogs come-back from the dreaded ranavirus a few years ago. Chris |
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Chris Davis, Site Administrator
Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED) |
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GemmaJF
Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359 |
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Hi Chris, 12 clumps this morning!
It doesn't seem a lot but it is only two years since the introduction of frog spawn to the pond. The books generally state the females take 3 years to mature (some clearly only take two!!). So perhaps if the average of 3 years is correct, this is only a beginning and next year we could get more. Counted 12 unpaired males last night. Have to set up the cat squirters today, once again a happy day was marred by finding a badly injured animal, male frog with all the signs of a cat mauling. Glad to hear your population is recovering from ranavirus, must have been awful when it struck.
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Iowarth
Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743 |
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Hi Gemma
It was indeed - took me a while to suss what was going on. There used to be so many but the numbers plummeted. Now slowly but surely making a come-back - loads of young ones around last year so the next couple of years should see a bumper comeback. In the meantime, several slowworms up and about basking in the grass and one female common lizard as well. This time of year cheers me so much! Chris |
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Chris Davis, Site Administrator
Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED) |
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