Amphibians & Reptiles 2021

Amphibians & Reptiles 2020  HERE

Probably a little too early in the year to start this years thread and although I don't have any photos to show you due to these creatures still being in hibernation mode I was talking to the parkland manager and he was telling me that work to repair a Grade II listed wall by our water garden apartments was suspended when Great Crested Newts were spotted there and as a protected species they will wait until they emerge from hibernation and move to the water before the wall restoration will commence again.     I was thrilled to hear we had such a rare and large species of newt right on our doorstep !    I've never seen one (to my knowledge) so will have to keep a keen eye out from March - October.       

  • So far, I've found some clumps of frog spawn but no sign of an actual frog! They're obviously flying in at night, doing the business and then flying away again. It's the only logical explanation! However, other amphibian activity is also on the increase. The newts are back in their pools and rising and so, with a bit of patience, you can get some good views, often of them disappearing back into the depths Grinning They tend not to stay at the surface for long but there is one in here ... honestly!

    Did you spot it? What, you want an easier one? Oh, alright then.

    ID is not confirmed but possibly a female Palmate

    Once you got your eye in, they were all over the place. I've not seen (or at least positively ID'd) a GCN yet but now may be the time to sit by the shallows of your pond, Hazy, and see if you can spot something. Pick somewhere you can see the bottom in case they go by underwater - you might be surprised if you find a good place. 

  • Unknown said:
    I've not seen (or at least positively ID'd) a GCN yet but now may be the time to sit by the shallows of your pond, Hazy, and see if you can spot something. Pick somewhere you can see the bottom in case they go by underwater - you might be surprised if you find a good place. 

    Thanks Nige,  I wasn't sure when they would be likely to come out of hibernation ;   the only problem is that they are right next to a professional footballer's apartment so he might think the paparazzi have landed on his doorstep and I'll be escorted off to jail    LOL       Seriously,  I will keep my eyes or better still Mike's good eyesight peeled and ready to spot anything that lurks, other than the premiership footballer   !!! 

  • Yippee! Frogspawn in both ponds today!
  • The new mating pair in my small pond, which I keep for tadpoles to hatch in, have produced their third clump of spawn overnight!

    Pic taken on my phone 

  • I saw the first clumps of frog spawn before the end of Feb but never had a glimpse of a frog. Activity stopped almost straight away and has only just re-started. The local gravel pits have numerous small ponds but the frogs have their favourites and large numbers collect.

    I reckon this clump of spawn had 30 odd frogs in it and there are three or four areas like this. They all disappear in a flurry when you arrive and then one by one they slowly (and silently) pop up again.

    I know frogs come in different colours but I think this red-brown is a first for me

    And this individual who looks like it may have survived being speared by a Heron (I had one the same last year, too)

    You hardly ever see a frog here normally and it's amazing to think there are so many wandering around.

    So, that's my dose of frogs for the year! Next ... we await the toads who should be along shortly!

  • Great photos Nige, sooo many frogs, do like the reddy coloured one, mine are all bog-standard!
  • Brilliant photos Nige.

    Alas, I don't expect anything here, that'll be due to the netting over the pond to keep herons off the fish, so I guess they've given up and gone elsewhere, I've not heard any frogs croaking early in the mornings, which I normally do.

  • Superb photos of the frisky froggies Nige and amazing that the injured one survived, will await your toad pics in due course !
  • First batch of Frogspawn arrived during the night. More expected as at least three pairs of Froggies have been observed in the pond.     (0)_(0)

  • I've got a tadpole!!!!! My grandson arrived one day with a bucket of spawn that had been rescued from a drying out ditch. My pond was handy so in they went. Since then of course we have had frost for the first time this year, a couple of really hard nights, so I thought nothing had survived but today to my surprise I am pretty sure I saw a titchy one dash into hiding as I passed by. Will keep an eye open now for more.