Amphibians & Reptiles 2020

  • Wendy: First Pond Skater? I'm surprised. I must admit, I sort of assumed they were ubiquitous! There are desolate ponds a couple of feet across and a few inches deep on the moors with loads on them. I'm always amazed they all find enough to eat to make it worthwhile staying up there but they're always there.
    Linda: Insects should colonise fairly rapidly, but others may take time, especially if the garden is largely fenced off. If it is consider putting little doorways under the fence so frogs, etc can get in more easily - but it also depends on the types of fences the neighbours have as well (and I know the issues there).

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    Nige   Flickr

  • I wonder if there have been more Pond skaters but predated by a horde of hungry frogs plus 4 large, 2 medium & 2 small goldfish??

     

     2013 photos & vids here

    eff37 on Flickr

  • The fences are all the same basic Nige 6ft wooden with gap inbetween, also gaps at the bottom and along my back fence the fox dug a gap for it to crawl under from the woods . Oh and dont forget the deer that made it in too! (That part of the fence has been repaired as much as it was nice to see...no need for a repeat visit) .
    I am looking to get a new bigger pond now .

    (Pardon the Scottish Accent)

  • Linda257 said:
    Oh and dont forget the deer that made it in too!

    True enough Slight smile ... although deer can get over fences that a newt would find difficult jump!! Stuck out tongue winking eye

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    Nige   Flickr

  • I had a newt in the garden years ago before the pond. I lifted a slab and there it was! Hopefully they are still around!

    (Pardon the Scottish Accent)

  • Now's the time to look under those slabs again, if it's raining as much there as it is here. The wet ground will have the newts out and about (and not in the ponds)

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    Nige   Flickr

  • As I said that was years ago (when I was strong and could lift a slab Joy)...my garden is like marsh land with the rain today. I will see if there is any broken ones tomorrow to look under Wink

    (Pardon the Scottish Accent)

  • For your sins you get an update on my Frogs! Lol

    Still have four, three in goldfish pond with one moved back into ex-tadpole pond, he was there all the time the tadpoles were developing & although I moved him to big pond whilst re-jigging & cleaning the small pond he soon moved back!

    Lone Frog

    Small, medium & large Frogs in goldfish pond

    They seem quite content to stay although they often pop out for a tour of the garden, have to be careful where we put our feet down during the evening!

     

     2013 photos & vids here

    eff37 on Flickr

  • Lovely additions/residents to your garden Wendy, they should keep garden pests down.
  • They are very well behaved, aren't they, staying in your pond and venturing far. I rarely see a frog in summer. I suppose they must be hidden away in the ponds during the day.

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    Nige   Flickr