Toads

I have a large pond in my garden and this year I have loads of toads converging on it.  I already have a small amount of frog spawn but my husband reckons the frogs usually produce spawn after the toads.  The toads are just getting frisky, lots of courting couples and quite a few with more 'open' type relationships! 

Does any one know if there is a usual time scale when comparing toads and frog mating times, and has anyone else noticed an increase in toad numbers.  My husband said he put about a dozen in the pond just now on his walk down the garden.  The pond is raised on one side with a stone wall, so sometimes they find it hard to find a way in.  I think I will have a count up in the morning to see how many I can see.

 

Toadflax.