Our new wildlife pond

What a lot of lovely frogs.

 

Years ago there were many more, now days they seem a lot less abundant but I think, making a comeback.
I usually move the frogspawn into another tank on the allotment that doesn't have fish.

 

Wish it was near mine. My pond is getting warm as there is a green haze in the water but it hasn’t encouraged the frogs yet.

 

I'm not sure what gets them going, a few warm sunny days without frosty nights does seem to work, the spawn usually appears overnight and you hear the males croaking away all night, but it depends on if you have any in the area and how long you have had the pond.

 

I'm very jealous of the frogs/frogspawn... hope we get some in ours at some stage even if we have to wait a few years. So lovely to see the pics of them

 

Amphibians need habitat as well as a pond, I have piles of decaying wood, a bog garden and rocks where they can hibernate and feed in, if not in your garden then nearby.

 

Made this pond March 2021 after the old one sprung a leak. There were frogs there as soon as it was filled and a few survived as we saved all the thingies then transferred everything back in along with rain barrel water. Thought we had done well. In 2022 there were a lot of small frogs but only one that looked like a (large) female. She unfortunately died, we found her in the pond upside down. Now there isn’t a sound of a croak. Very sad, but probably in time we will get some more.

 

Hi pond full of frogs @pete this is the pond now. I’m having trouble uploading pho

 

If they are there they will find it, I used to find lots hibernated in the bottom of the pond over winter, I dont see what happens on the bottom much these days but assume they still do that.
As I said, a lot less than there used to be, I found a lot of dead ones a few years ago.

 

I have only seen three in my pond this year and they have been croaking on and off for last two weeks, that's why I think there are no females here at the moment unfortunately. Agree with you @pete, a lot less frogs than in the past. I would have had 25 to 30 in the pond up till a couple of years ago and loads of spawn. Fingers crossed this improves and frogs make a comeback.

 

@Dahlia Queen , hi do you think there are lot of species in short supply just recently. We have blossom out just now, it’s apricot trees, there isn’t a lot flying round today, not as much as there used to be and it’s 12 degrees.Even our pond last year only had two of the large dragon flies. Usually, there is a battle on for the space. I did hear that in this country we are using much more insecticides, (one I can’t spell), nicetinoides, that is having a disastrous effect. This I suppose because we need to feed ourselves instead of importing from EU. I’m very worried on how our garden wildlife has decreased, no hedgehog now. Let’s hope there is a change for the good. V

 

Hi @vbgr, yes, unfortunately I do think there are so many species in short supply now. Butterflies are now 80% less than in 1970's says recent announcement by Butterfly Conservation.
I still had a few dragonflies last year but there does seem to be less. A few bees so far, took a few photos of them and added them to the forum in the week.

I think it is disgraceful that UK still uses three neonicotinoids—clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam whilst other countries have banned them. There was a recent petition I signed which got discussed in parliament but they are going ahead anyway if they need to! (had to check spelling myself as its a tricky bunch of words and no idea on how to pronounce some of them either) I also think Councils should have more wildflower areas and stop using Glysophate.

I am also very worried and agree with you in hoping there is a change for the good. We can all help out by having wildlife ponds, growing flowers for pollinators and having areas for wildlife to live. Leaving some grass to become a wildflower meadow or ever a few pots of wildflowers helps. Makes me feel better, knowing that I am trying to help nature. Looking forward to raking up the rest of the leaves soon and cutting back all the dead stuff as Butterfly Conservation urged us to leave it all in place till Spring. It's looking messy but if it helps wildlife, I can live with that. I really believe us gardeners can help to make this situation better. Joining this forum last Saturday has shown me that there are people who care and want to help so that's heartwarming.

I have an area of nettles in pots for butterflies to lay eggs and I also have an area with rotting wood dug into the ground (called Stumpy End) which is home to stag beetle larvae. Hoping to see around 30 stag beetles again this June fingers crossed.

We must stay positive and not become despondent, and work together to help in any way we can I think.

 

@Dahlia Queen that’s such a lovely post. Thank you for all the positive things you’ve pointed out. Here’s to better times. V

 

Absolutely, here's to better times. Here's a stag beetle from last year. Fingers crossed lots more this year.

 

I've not seen a male Stag Beetle since I was about 10 years old..............that must be at least............er........................11 years ago......................or more like 60 odd.............