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When do toads get active?
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Posted by dampflippers Tyne & Wear UK (My Page) on Mon, Jan 28, 08 at 9:12
| Does anyone who keeps records know when toads become active in the spring, and when to expect the first toadspawn? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: When do toads get active?
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| I have noticed our toads getting active in early February, at the same time the frogs do--even though in the books it says later. I have never seen toadspawn in the pond, but I have come across toadlets, so I expect the spawn is just too deep and well hidden in my rather, well, natural pond. I have just taken 2 woken up toads out of our cellar this week and put them outside. Don't know how they get in, but they sure don't get out. 3 years ago we had frogspawn in early February. At the end of february I was at a nearby monastrary (can't spell today) and in a rill I saw 5 toads on top of a female, and the next day there was an incredible tangle of spawn. Does that help? Chip |
RE: When do toads get active?
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I expect you are earlier in Devon though.
Do you check your tadpoles to see if any of them are toadpoles? They are blacker. |
RE: When do toads get active?
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| I think you are right--it is very early here. I have looked and studied, and there has been the rare occasion when a taddie looks very dark. Sometimes though I think it is wishful thinking on my part! There are a lot of places to hide, which is what I think they do. Rather noisy out there tonight, but no females. I am hoping the lads will persevere until the females come by from further afield. We do tend to get frosts later in the year, and I have found covering the spawn with bubble wrap makes a big difference. Even in the pond freezes, most of the spawn has survived. Hopefully, the froglife link will be put on a Devonwide NHS workers site in the next week or two--so that should help. Glad to see I am not the only one who comes up with cringe-making puns by the way! all the best, Chip |
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