Mass Spawning

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neil

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Neil France
The common frogs, Rana temporaria, in one of my garden ponds started spawning today. With the exception of last year when spawning commenced on March 9th, this colony has spawned on the 26th of March (+/- 2 days)every year for the past 8 years. Considering the variation in temperatures during March in the North of England I personally find this degree of consistency amazing.
 
That is quite interesting. The frogs in my pond in Dublin spawned on Wednesday last week (St. Patrick's Day). They have spawned as early as mid February and as late as the last week of March. More variable than yours.

I wonder if there's something particular about your pond's light exposure because that's the only thing that's consistent with time of year e.g. the sun clears a wall to shine for greater than x number of hours on your pond each day, x being the magic number. A bit simplistic really but it could be an important factor in the stimulus for breeding (which I believe is now credited to a combination of algal behaviour in breeding ponds and temperature).
 
My pond still have no spawn, although there have been frogs in amplexis since early Feb.
This is the latest Ive had t wait, but when it comes there will be a lot.
Ive counted 18 breeding pairs between my 3 ponds.
 
No spawn in my pond in Leicestershire, but nearby ponds do. My pond is deep and therefore takes a long time to warm up in Spring. However, my frogs are unusually late this year compared with previous years.
 
I counted eight clumps of spawn in my pond in Berkshire, on the 5th March.
 
It seems to be just my garden pond thats very late here.
Everybody else Ive asked in the village has had spawn for weeks now, and I checked on a small local pond yesterday which has tadpoles.
All the newts in my ponds are waiting for their annual feast on frog tadpoles.
 
First 3 bunches of spawn deposited in my ponds through last night.
 
About 5 clumps. A fox caught, killed and left 6 adult frogs from the pond...
angry.gif

Chris
 
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