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).

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??

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 .

Linda257 said:

Oh and dont forget the deer that made it in too!

True enough ... although deer can get over fences that a newt would find difficult jump!! 

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!

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)

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

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!

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.