I know that some species of male frogs guard their frog spawn but I didn't think common frogs did this, however, I'm starting to think that is just what is happening in our pond. Martyn has posted photos of the frogs sitting in the frog spawn on his blog here
At least three frogs are still there today - they are male as they are croaking!
The spawn also seems to have so far escaped the fish.
As I approached the spawn for a closer look, one large frog was sitting on it and then these two swam up, climbed on the the spawn and gave me a hard stare. They obviously see me as a threat maybe they remember that I stole some spawn earlier and don't realise that I did this to help!
They are feisty little things to try and intimidate something so much bigger than they are.
When the fish approach from the other direction they definitely seem to turn toward them for a face off!
Has anyone else observed this type of guarding behaviour in our native common frog?
Another wildlife update
We bought a new wired nest box cam this year which Martyn finished setting up on Friday - Saturday morning a blue tit was already checking it out. If you haven't already visited his blog he has posted a photo of the prospective tenant here and a bit of video here
Epetition
I hope you've noticed the link above this post to the epetition calling for the government to review the fact that the Air Ambulance have to pay fuel duty even though it is totally funded by charity donations.. I've signed up!
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Hehe I had the same experience last week... One frog came then about six or seven popped up to give me the froggy stare. They were croaking at me very loudly
ReplyDeleteThey do give a mean stare don't they Captain
DeleteI have never seen frogs hang around after the spawn has been laid...maybe it's a new defence they are trying??
ReplyDeleteYou just reminded me to get my bird boxes up quick!!
No time to lose Tanya - the birds are definitely on the look out.
DeleteHow wonderful although I suspect they think they fish are a greater threat than you are.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping spread the word about the Air Ambulance campaign. They're up to 80,000 signatures as of 8.00am Monday morning. Yay!
I don't think they exactly trust me either BW - The tadpole celss are beginning to divide now.
DeleteI wonder whether the government will honour the 100,000 signature promise with this one?
Thats fascinating about the males guarding the spawn. I do find it interesting the different gender roles within the natural world. Male emus are like your frogs - they sit on the eggs and then bring up the chicks.
ReplyDeleteA bit like penguins then Liz - not that we have any near to us :) They keep the eggs on their feet to protect them from the ice
DeleteInteresting post! I really enjoyed reading this.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it interesting Diana
Deletecan anyone help, I have today noticed on my lawn something that looks like frog spawn it is jelly like but my husband says it is not frog spawn as it is green, it certainly looks like green frog spawn to me, we have had excessive rain and the garden was water logged, any ides what this could be?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous - it sounds like algae probably down to the really wet conditions that we have been having. this web page may help
Deletewe think this may be happening in our little garden pond, when I put the spawn into a "reserve" the frogs hang around it as if guarding the spawn, and indeed the fish seem more interested as if by disturbing it I have made the spawn more vulnerable.
ReplyDelete