Very Few Frogs and Quite Late

JohnM20

Every year I usually get, quite literally, dozens of frogs in my garden pond that arrive late February to early March. The most I have ever counted was 84. This year there have only been about 20 with only 10 lots of spawn and these didn't arrive until 12th March. Whilst I have very mixed feelings about large numbers, it is quite concerning that there are so few this year. Last year very few tadpoles reached maturity as froglets - the fish, and the blackbirds, like them too much. Perhaps this is the reason, I don't really know.

mickysf

We too have also noticed this, same with newts and toads. I’m pretty sure we humans are far more of a threat to the amphibians than fish and blackbirds. The very significant loss of ponds in both gardens and farmlands is a real problem.
In fact all herpetofauna in Britain is having a hard time because of us and we really need to help them.

eurortraveller

Eaten by those darned ospreys?

mickysf

As far as the lizards and snakes are concerned those non native pheasants are a real problem for them.

Don’t think any are on the Osprey diet list. Buzzards and smaller raptors yes though.

Takethedogalong

Our frogs have spawned late this year, but to be honest we had a warm period mid February, and then it turned quite cold, so I guess they are being sensible. We always cover our pond to protect the frogspawn, we get lots of jackdaws and magpies, who literally sit there munching away. It does give the tadpoles a better chance, and there’s lot of other things for them to eat. I love having frogs hopping around.

richardandros

We haven't had any frogs in our pond for a few years now - which is particularly unusual because we also have a drainage ditch just outside our back fence where I am sure many of them live. Nothing's changed with the pond - so I'm not sure why this has happened.