I have had a small pond in my garden for over 20 years and for the first time yesterday I found two dead frogs floating on the surface. I have had the odd one die after the breeding season in spring but never over winter. Is it because of the changes in temp. Or could it be the disease that frogs have. The pond had been frozen for most of January and I made no attemps to make any holes as there is plenty of oxygenating vegetation in the margins coming through the ice. I can see the fish are still at the bottom. Any clues as to why they have died?
I'm always look forward to seeing the wonderful green of the leaf buds coming into life you don't see any other time of year and the first swallow around the 15th April. Spring, Spring Spring.
Hi Barbara
This sad find could well be linked to the severe winter, its been many years since we have had such long periods of frost. Many other creatures that over winter in a dormant state such as hedgehogs will also struggle to survive these periods if they have not stored up enough energy before going into this deep sleep.
Hibernation is a risky strategy but i'm sure some frogs will have made it through, it won't be that long now before they start to resume activity. Lets hope we don't get any more severe frosts as that will make life very difficult for the creatures that start to stir early in spring.
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
Hi Barbara.
I think this section from the Amphibian and reptile conservation may help answer this - http://www.froglife.org/disease/Diseaseadults.htm#Winterkill%20%28anoxia%29
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Thanks for that info KatTai, the webpage was very useful and answered my question. I was going to make a hole in the ice but decided not too as Kate Humble/ BBC Snow Watch advised against it, as there would be sufficient oxygen provided by the vegitation. Next time the pond is frozen, I will gently make a hole and hopefully prevent these loses.