999 Tadpole rescue

[Tink]

Everyones a winner as been out today to a farm track full of newly hatched taddies before it dries out.
Managed to get a couple of hundred and have arranged to go every spring now but earlier
when we collect the spawn instead.
They look very happy in my pond and have passed on my 3 large Goldfish to others.
I am thrilled as have also got toad spawn for the first time. Plenty of smooth newts so after 3 years feel its really becoming a wildlife pond now.

[wendy]

Wooo lucky little tadpoles.
Are they early ?. I still only have frogs spawn.

[p.penn]

Someone gave me a whole load of tadpoles for my pond this week too! I put 98% of them in but kept a few in a jam jar so the children can watch them. Should I feed them?

[LittleBrownFrog]

Someone posted a link on Wendy's thread that suggested boiled lettuce as tadpole food http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/tadpoles/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tink]

Could not get on via that link so try "The Young Peoples Trust" this is a British site. A jam jar sounds to small, do not keep in sunlight and yes they do need feeding ( see site).
Some pond weed would also provide interest and shelter. Do not use tap water.
Hope the children enjoy watching them develop.

[LittleBrownFrog]

Sorry - I've fixed my link now, there was a space missing

[p.penn]

Thanks -very interesting.

[HedgeHugger]

Your newts will be well fed with a pondful of taddies.
My fish never used to eat them, but when the newt family expanded they chomped their way through the lot!

Different pond now as we moved, and we have toad-spawn too :)

[Tink]

Yes I know what you mean, as I have seen in my previous pond newts eating young taddies. Its down to dear old mother nature now, I gave the large fish away as they
bred so still have two youngsters.
Just a warning to any of you that have pumps as they can drag the wildlife in. I bought a sponge box that the pump fitted in. they still got sucked in at the edges so wrapped the whole thing in tights. This pond is still as I found the whole pump, filter etc a lot of work and worry. The pond and I are much calmer now.

[Richard]

Hi Tink

Great to look after the creatures we sometimes forget about

[wendy]

They say it is going to get cold and snow next week.
Are my tadpoles going to be OK in the bowl. Or should I cover them from the ice or do something

[Tink]

Are they outside in a bowl? If so yes you will need to protect them. Perhaps they could go in a shed but would need daylight.
I will have to check mine as they favour the shallows and loads are right at the edge of the moulded pond in a shallow rim.
Fingers crossed for Easter as have got used to this warm weather as I suppose nature has. Please no snow

[wendy]

Thanks.
Perhaps, bring them into the dog conservatory then,

[Mo]

As long as the dogs don't drink them.