Weather conditions have finally spurred Wood Frogs to
congregate in their breeding ponds.
They’ve arrived in record numbers at the Blue Jay Barrens pond.
Wood Frogs have only been using this pond for about the last
ten years and there were a couple years during that time that I didn’t hear or
see any Wood Frogs at all. Their numbers
have grown steadily over the last three years.
This is the first year that there has been noticeable
breeding activity during the day. The
frogs maintained a constant flow of ripples across the pond surface.
Males floated about watching for a passing female.
Sight of a prospective mate led to a chase.
In most cases, the pair plunged beneath the water at the
moment of contact. The sound and splash
reminded me of a bass feeding on the surface.
The joined couple would then head down to the pond bottom to
prepare for egg laying.
This is the anticipated outcome. I’m hoping the pond will be full of these egg
masses in a few days.
My grand kids would love to come play with the frogs! Perhaps the frogs wouldn't like that at all. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lois. These are tough frogs to get a hand on, but I'm sure the kids would have fun and the frogs would get plenty of exercise.
ReplyDelete