This year the frogs have been busy, as usual, doing what comes naturally which has meant that the pond has its ration of froglets which have now abandoned, or eaten, their (non-Covid) bubbles.

Very short clip of writhing froglets

Now the newts get to work, if there are any left once the herons have had their fill. Food chain, hey? This year at least, the frost has held off which hasn’t killed them off.

Frogs and toads on the river, however are a different story. This winter, the flood surges have brought thousands of tons of pebbles and shingle down stream and filled up the rock pools they have bred in. Only one pool has been converted into a maternity unit.

Five or six huge bunches of spawn.

But… the absence of frogs and toads has meant less food for the otters, who unzip them and take out their vital organs, leaving the rest of the body to lie like an abandoned Mr Toad fat suit in a film version of “Wind…”

But… this pool which has been colonised, is in danger of being cut-off from the river, which means no fresh water, then what is there will evaporate or turn stagnant.

Harry

Share
Published by
Harry

Recent Posts

The B and B is ready…

It’s ready. It was a deadline to not miss. The cleaners have been in, the…

1 week ago

It takes two…

It takes two to shift this. “This” is a cider mill apple squashing/squishing/juice squeezing wheel.…

3 weeks ago

Early Sunday

Nothing beats an early morning stroll around the garden. https://youtube.com/shorts/jE2BieGdtv4?si=k9thYfmJsd2nue3e

1 month ago

Daffodils awake

In the wild flower meadow nature has collapsed the daffodils overnight. Slowly, imperceptibly, the daffs…

1 month ago

Sunday

A Sunday look at the (new) polytunnel. https://youtu.be/X6p4vtDWKS0?si=pYT71mJdimF9mMng

1 month ago

Good morning…

… one of the most enjoyable parts of the day is the early morning wander…

1 month ago