The outdoors seems to be a place of sanctuary at the moment, a deserved ‘other room’ to step into when you get bored of the same four walls whilst you self-isolate. For someone who is at times socially awkward (although not as much as I used to be) this is just fine and dandy. Go outside, avoid people, come home. Easy! Anyway, there has been a lot of activity from one group of creatures who are definitely not self-isolating right now, both in the pond in my garden, and most other ponds I see on my walks out.
What: Common Frog Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758
When: For the last week or so, but specifically today, 19th March 2020.
Where: Jackson’s Brickworks Nature Reserve, Cheshire, UK
Who saw it? Me
How was it recorded? It hasn’t yet, not sure the best place to record amphibians.
Is it bigger than a blackbird? No
What is it? Possibly the commonest member of the amphibian order in the UK, or at least the most obvious. Also it is one of only two species of frog native to the UK, the other being the incredibly rare (and only recently acknowledged as native) Pool Frog Pelophylax lessonae. At this time of year Common Frogs (will just call them frogs from now on) are in the middle of their breeding season, their eggs – in the form of spawn, are obvious in many ponds, and the frogs themselves can often be seen amongst the spawn, the males constantly looking out for females. A frog, unlike the similar looking toad (again, only two species of toad here, one common, one not) is smooth and jumpy, whereas a toad is rough, warty and crawly. Frogs are more likely found in the water for longer periods of the year, whereas toads will only go in to mate and lay eggs; again at this time of the year. They are slightly variable in colour, ranging from golden brown to darker green but generally not stripey apart from on their hind legs.
A fact I have learned about this species: This species of frog occurs in Ireland, where it is believed to be introduced (it must have, aham, hopped over the water). Actually, I seem to recall there being no frogs in Orkney (island groups immediately above the north of mainland Scotland) where I used to live.
Is it charismatic in my opinion? Yes, especially at this time of year. They are so vocal on a night and when I approach my pond to see them during the day they will escape down through the weed, arms and legs flailing trying to pretend they were never there in the first place. Definite characters!
A Species a Day 