World Frog Day

I have always loved frogs. They look a bit gawky out of the water, which has endeared me to them. I have a handful of childhood memories that made me realise I was an animal lover and that their welfare was something I would never be able to compromise on or turn a blind eye to: frogs are included in one of those memories. 

One spring morning, me and my mother saw a strange sight in the garden. In one of the upturned bin lids was a small mass of jelly-like clumps; I’d never seen anything like it. Shocked and excited, I ran outside barefoot into the garden, screaming for my mum to follow. As if I had just discovered something new and alien, I grinned from ear to ear while pointing at this mysterious pile. She chuckled and explained that a lady frog had come along and without anywhere to lay her eggs she had chosen our garden: being unable to find water, this small pool in an upturned bin lid was all she could find in time. Needless to say, my heart plummeted. It was an awful thought: a pregnant frog struggling to find somewhere to rest and have her children. Before my mother could explain any further, I burst into tears and asked why she couldn’t find any water, we lived near a river, surely there was somewhere for her there? My mum explained that “they need a very particular environment with still, calm waters to protect the spawn”. If you haven’t guessed already what my next question was, I asked, “why don’t we have a pond?”. Years later, my mum told me that for her too this experience was troubling and she had been asking herself the same question. My awareness of animals and their welfare had to have come from somewhere!

Bonded by our united determination, she and I set out on a mission. I was thrilled to accompany her to the garden centre, an experience which has never lost its appeal: the smell of the wood, looking at all the oversized ceramics and gorgeous trailing perennials. My mum had done her research on what was needed to create this new ecosystem and I was delighted. We were on the hunt for special pond lining, as well as some plants that would oxygenate the water and provide shelter for our newfound friends: water lilies, hornwort, marsh marigolds and water forget-me-nots. The big task would be to dig the pond, the recommended “2m x 2m and 60cm” was our goal, perhaps deeper to protect it from freezing in the winter. We had a plan to craft a unique shape and tier the depth. When the day finally came, it was all down to us and our shovels; we had spotted a perfect area at the top of the garden with some sunlight and shade. It was a beautiful cool spring day and I still remember the taste of my squash as we got started on our new project. 

While we realised our new creation, the frog spawn had been relocated to a larger rainwater container that had been sitting for some time over spring, kitted out with in and out ramps. This was a temporary measure, until we got the full version set up safely. I was insistent that it not be relocated far from where the mother had laid them so she could come back and visit them again. The location was moved nearby, but in a less awkward place that when they did grow into babies, they would be able to hop around moist leaves and soil. In fact, frogs do return every year to their favourite spots, this is another trait which makes me feel attached to them. They just want somewhere they can lay their eggs, chill for the winter and bathe, not a big ask but many struggle to find places. The fences cut off their territories and ponds are filled in. I can’t even think about a frog hopping over to where they were once safe, only to find it filled with concrete. This is why we have had our pond as long as we have and why every year it is a pleasure to see the same ones come back 🐸

https://www.froglife.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/JAW2014-for-printing-HLF1.pdf