Frog Spawn

In mild spells there are many reports of frogs returning to the ponds to breed and the resultant masses of frogs spawn. Sometimes garden ponds can seem to be over-crowded with clumps of spawn, tadpoles or adult frogs. However, as long as you have not introduced them from elsewhere, this is a perfectly normal situation.

Amphibians can experience huge fluctuations in numbers and by laying large amounts of eggs they ensure that some of their offspring will survive the many perils they face in the first few weeks of life.

Frogs are very important as natural prey for mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and aquatic invertebrates, and their numbers can also be limited by extremes of water temperature and disease. Your fish, newts and garden birds will find the spawn an excellent source of food.

Moving adults and spawn away in one year is unlikely to reduce the number of frogs significantly as numbers will quickly build up in subsequent seasons to replace those removed. There may also be a risk of spreading disease and parasites. By taking spawn or adults to another pond, you may increase the risk of spreading unwanted predatory fish or invasive plants. There is also the danger that you may be introducing animals to an unsuitable area (Abandonment of Animals Act 1960).

They are best left to their own devices in your garden where natural processes will regulate their numbers. It is early days yet, and there is still the risk of a heavy frost, which in itself will 'kill off' some of the spawn.