As in previous years we support the Big Spawn Count 2016 by Fresh Water Habitats.
We encourage our customers to complete the survey to give more information to work with.
- Count the number of clumps of spawn in your pond.
- This represents the number of females of spawning age.
- They are trying to monitor both frog and toad spawn.
- Also complete a few other simple questions relating to the size of your pond and your location.
- The more data they get the more they will learn about trends affecting these amphibians.
Amphibians will return to your pond year after year. Do not try and move spawn or adults between ponds as this can transfer disease to previously healthy ponds. Allow them to naturally colonize a new pond.
Amphibians make the return journey to the water dependent on temperature. So the South of England has been first to spot this year's frogspawn while we are still waiting here in Leicestershire.
We have found an amazing Live Map of records of frog spawn in different areas of the country with Nature's Calendar. Use the red slider on the map link to see how far up the country the frogs have spawned. You can also see sightings of newts too if you change maps.
- It is reassuring that the frogs are still only spawning in the warmer areas of the country.
- Frogs only mate once per season so if they mate too early the spawn is caught in a frosty snap.
- That clump will die and that female's breeding effort for the year is wasted.
- We have seen newts inside the propagating tunnels where it is warmer but no frogs yet.
- Frogs would normally be ahead of the newts. Maybe these newts have overwintered in the tunnels with us!
To learn more about the lives of the frogs in your pond follow the link to our Tips and Advice page.