Common Frog - Best months for finding frogs

Print Page | Close Window

Best months for finding frogs

Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: Herpetofauna Native to the UK
Forum Name: Common Frog
Forum Description: Forum for all issues concerning Rana temporaria
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5022
Printed Date: 16 Apr 2024 at 8:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Best months for finding frogs

Posted By: Alice4
Subject: Best months for finding frogs
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2016 at 6:31pm

Hi,

I'm hoping to conduct a 1-year research project for a masters degree, but I can't decide what time of year to start. I will need to go out and take pictures of adult frogs against their backgrounds (my project is on anti-predator colouration in common frogs), but I'm not sure what time of year it is easiest to find frogs. I'm based in Cornwall, so the breeding season might start a bit earlier than the rest of the UK? Basically, I have 2 options:

1) Find frogs to photograph over the summer (from June to September), so that I have something to work with at the start of the project in September.

2) Start the masters degree in Nov/Dec/Jan, and then conduct field work over the spring when they're breeding. Was told that in some parts of Cornwall the breeding season starts as early as November?

I will also need to consider the predators of the frogs. Another part of the study will involve creating clay models of frogs with different types of pattern, and placing them in the field sites (tethered, so they can’t be removed by people or animals). By examining beak/bite marks on the models at regular intervals, I will be able to compare predation rates on the models with different types of pattern.

So, there's no point conducting this experiment at a time of year when the predators are absent/less abundant due to hibernation/migration, etc.

If anyone has any ideas or advice that would be great!

Thanks.