Diary: March 2003

One or two pairs of frogs have started to spawn in the shallow area of the new pond. I had not expected any to breed there this year (even though a few had taken up residence at the end of last year) - I thought that they would all return to the old pond to breed.

I created the new pond last summer. The old pond, which was made by previous owners, is right outside the back door and not particularly wildlife-friendly in design. I created a bigger, more wildlife-friendly pond in a sunnier position away from the house. I planned to keep the old pond until the frogs which breed there had spawned so that I could move all their spawn to the new pond before removing the old one.

There are plenty of frogs in the old pond, but none have spawned yet. I think that's probably because the old pond is in the shade of the house for much of the day and does not have a large shallow area like the new pond: the water will probably therefore be colder.