When do frogs spawn and how to spot them.

Garden ponds are extremely important for common frogs, particularly in urban areas.  

When do frogs spawn?

Frogspawn appears in ponds from January onwards, depending on the weather and region. By March, you should be able to spot frogspawn in ponds across the UK.  

UK frogs   

The UK has 2 native species of frogs:  

  1. The common frog (Rana temporaria)  
  2. The pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae) 
Top tips for pond owners  

To maximise your chances of frogspawn, considering the following tips:  

  • Ensure your pond is shaded and plants with pond plants like duckweed, waterlilies, marsh marigolds, and water violets to create a suitable breeding ground for frogs.  
  • Although frogs need shelter from heat, too many overhanging trees can be harmful, as ponds require direct sunlight to thrive. 
  • Shallow edges help frogs enter and exist ponds easily. 
  • A pond depth of 2 to 3 feet is recommended.  
  • Avoid moving frogspawn or tadpoles to different ponds, as the new pond may not have the right conditions for survival, and there is risk of spreading diseases.  

For more information about this topic, visit Woodland Trust.