I was getting a bit worried that the frogs had not reappeared in Ramsley. Last year I saw them first on the 6th March, and 2 days ago there was still no sign whatsoever. But… you wait for one frog and then 200 appear all at the same time! Another week or so and the toads will be putting in an appearance.
I know they tolerate each other and the toads like to camouflage their eggs in amongst the frogspawn but I am sure it would be better for all concerned if the frogs departed in the next week.
I love frogs and when you approach their mating patch, all you can
hear is the low drone like a purring cat or the monotonous whirring of
an outboard motor. I know that they are not to everyone’s taste but they
are amazing survivors. They, and their tadpoles, are on the menu for
many creatures including snakes and many birds but somehow they come
back, year after year, as strong as ever. In a week or so’s time they
will vanish back into the marsh and undergrowth and will be hardly seen
again until next Spring.
18th March and the frogs have all but disappeared. A few stragglers are still around but it will be 11 and a half months before they all get together again. Now for a short breather before the toads are in town, some time around the end of the month.
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