Frog Spawn Spotted

We have noticed lots of frog spawn in Kim's pond at the allotments this week and hopefully there will be more appearing over the next month. As we all know, frogs are good news thanks to their fondness for eating slugs. Ponds are in decline nationally so we are lucky to have a couple at the allotment site.

Having hibernated over winter, the frogs emerge and get together in ponds in late February - early March, pairing up to mate and lay eggs. The spawn are laid in clumps, often with many thousands of eggs together and can be seen near the surface of the water.

If conditions are right then the eggs will gradually develop into tadpoles which will emerge after about a month. The tadpoles lose their tiny gills as they grow larger and can be seen darting around the pond. After many weeks they will develop into baby frogs, which will appear around June.

It is wonderful for children to watch and learn about wildlife but please keep them safe around ponds: teach them to lie down to look in the water and always make sure they are accompanied.