TADPOLES

[Placido]

It's Nature's way, isn't it. Probably the taddies have eaten said frog, and glad of it . Any protein is good protein after all.
Makes a change from salad for them .

[Jacksparrow]

It always seems to be the same every year for my ponds that some of the tadpoles just never mature. This year is no different. I still have a few who are just at the size where you expect to see legs sprouting. I'm not sure how much food they can find or if they will ever mature.

[Jacksparrow]

The first blob of spawn appeared this morning. 4 days later than last year.

[Willpar]

That is good news jacksparrow. Hopefully more will appear.

[Jacksparrow]

That is good news jacksparrow. Hopefully more will appear.

More has appeared today. I seem to be down on frog numbers compared to recent years so I may not get the quantity I've become used to.

[Jacksparrow]

The earliest of the spawn is now showing the first signs of maturing. The black dots are becoming short black worms

[Willpar]

Good news jacksparrow.

[Jacksparrow]

I saw a free swimming tadpole today but most of them are still emerging from the spawn jelly. I also saw a newt. They always turn up to feast on the spawn and the young tadpoles.

[Willpar]

That is good JS. Pity about the newt but all part and parcel of life in the wild.

[Jacksparrow]

My current assessment is that this year's spawning has been a failure. I still have few free swimming tadpoles but nowhere near the number I would expect to have enough survive through to turning into an adult.