Crazy Frog(s)

[Cobra]

Every year I get a few clumps of frog spawn in my pond, the calling starts around early March,
and the spawn appears around late March / early April..
Sometime around midnight last night, I heard 2 frogs calling from around my pond area!
I await the results if any!

 

[Tringa]

I had similar a few weeks ago while I was watching from the back door for a fox to appear, I heard a croaking from behind some plant pots. I was surprised because I thought they only croaked just before spawning time, but perhaps things are changing.

Dave

 

[Cobra]

I thought they only croaked just before spawning time, but perhaps things are changing.

I'm pretty sure that they only croak to attract a mate, and maybe to defend their territory at breeding time.

 

[Mr Badger]

Occasionally it seems there can be an autumn breeding attempt by UK amphibians, in November 2008 I found newt eggs in ponds in three different locations across Cheshire (they usually lay their eggs in spring/early summer), but have not seen or heard of this happening since then. Who knows what triggers these things, there is still so much about nature we don't understand. Anyway, keep us posted if any frogspawn turns up, and don't forget to notify your local Amphibian and Reptile Group (ARG) if it does. The more 'abnormal' wildlife behaviour is reported, the more likely we'll be to work out why.

 

[Cobra]

Who knows what triggers these things,

I suspect that its the weather. Its very mild here, more spring like than the back end of Autumn.
I have Passion flowers still budding and flowering

 

[Mr Badger]

I suspect that its the weather. Its very mild here, more spring like than the back end of Autumn.
I have Passion flowers still budding and flowering

Could be, but there was a train of thought that amphibians required a period of cold weather before mild weather to bring them into breeding condition, and if your weather has been like ours, we've not had so much of a suspicion of frost yet. However, instances of pre-Christmas spawning by frogs have been known, particularly in milder, southern areas such as Cornwall.

If I had to suggest an explanation then I'd probably go for a male frog or two trying to attract a mate for an early start next spring, after overwintering in the pond. Some frogs overwinter in ponds, others on land in damp but frost-free hiding places. The frogs in the pond are first on the scene in spring, but the disadvantage to this strategy is that they may be killed if the pond freezes over for a long period and dissolved oxygen levels fall - much in the same was as a fish-kill can occur during such conditions. So the frogs overwintering on land probably have a greater statistical chance of surviving winter, but may miss out on finding a mate in spring, However, it seems both these over-wintering strategies work in the long term, otherwise one of them would have literally died out by now.

 

[Sky]

I suspect that its the weather. Its very mild here, more spring like than the back end of Autumn.

It's the same here, I don't think I've ever known such a nice September/October - it's been wonderful. I've yet to close my windows yet, let alone put the heating on.

I'm sure we'll pay for it later . . .

 

[Cobra]

I'm sure we'll pay for it later . . .

I did read a report of heavy snow falls in November, but you know what the press are like

If I had to suggest an explanation then I'd probably go for a male frog or two trying to attract a mate for an early start next spring,

I just find it curious that lengthening photo period and warming temps are the normal trigger for most animals to start looking for a mate.
Although still mild the photo period is shortening.

 

[Nod]

Are there lots of evening garden parties going on around you, Chris? I know that baby turtles can get confused by artificial light; maybe "your" frogs think that outside lights are longer evenings?

 

[Cobra]

Are there lots of evening garden parties going on around you, Chris?

Its not totally dark here, but its not that bright at night either.
No parties no raves no hovering UFO's