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Dan Captivebred Communist
Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 1306
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:00 pm Post subject: UK herps |
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Don't you just love the way the world works?
A few weeks back the frog season started. Little ones around the size of a 20p started to appear, there were hundreds of these. We had around 10 come in the back door and into the kitchen everynight for a good 2 weeks. This was followed by the arrival of the larger ones, probably larger as they ate the smaller ones? These stayed the longest (about 4 weeks) and were up to around the 10p size. Towards the end we got the toads, however unlike the frogs these appeared in all sizes, from babies the size of my little finger nail right up to adults the size of a satsuma. I'm not sure why they came in all sizes in one go? Either way this part of the season melted into the end of the frog season and there were both in the kitchen for 2-3 days. Then it all stopped, for around 7-10 days we had nothing then the other night it began again. This time it was the newts.
We are now coming to the end of "mini-newt" season which should be followed by larger newt season.
It was the same last year and i expect it will be the same next year (for who ever lives here then). I just find it fascinating that year in year out these animals follow the same marching order with a calender that seems to be only days out each time (presumably weather based).
It is nice living next to the common, so much can be gained just by sitting out there and listening/watching the world go by.
As for the reason behind this post, meet Tiny. Named such because he is my newt (sorry, couldnt help it)
Disclaimer, Tiny was in the house a very short period and is now back in the garden again, where he belongs. I wish him a pleasant journey to where ever it is he is going BTW, he looked to be a palmate, if anyone was wondering. _________________ TFA
The future is bright, the future is a net like pattern.................
I'm NOT an expert, so if you don't want to know my opinion don't ask!! |
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Peter Parrot Site Moderator

Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 5402 Location: Over the bridge
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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Are they possibly all looking for or heading for their hibernating spots do you think? _________________ YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41
Last edited by Peter Parrot on Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:08 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Dan Captivebred Communist
Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 1306
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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I would think that is a distinct possibility. When you look at a map and draw a line from the lake area on the common directly through my house it also follows through our village to the uninhabited areas/woods between our village and the next along.
I suspect it just so happens that the row of houses we live in happens to be smack bang in the middle of an "amphibian road". Man getting in the way as usual!! _________________ TFA
The future is bright, the future is a net like pattern.................
I'm NOT an expert, so if you don't want to know my opinion don't ask!! |
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Dan Captivebred Communist
Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 1306
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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As if by magic i found a straggler!!
 _________________ TFA
The future is bright, the future is a net like pattern.................
I'm NOT an expert, so if you don't want to know my opinion don't ask!! |
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955i Key Member

Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 222 Location: Leicester
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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Seems to be catching so thought I may as well join in  |
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Dan Captivebred Communist
Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 1306
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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ooooooh, yours is a big one!!
Out of interest have you noticed anything similar to my comments above when it comes to frequency of each visitor type? _________________ TFA
The future is bright, the future is a net like pattern.................
I'm NOT an expert, so if you don't want to know my opinion don't ask!! |
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955i Key Member

Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 222 Location: Leicester
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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I just keep finding frogs and toads on my doormat when I go out. It happened three days on the trot |
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Scott W Site Admin

Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 13355 Location: London, England.
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Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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talking of UK herps, a friend had to find some adders last week for the BBC, they were pushing their luck at this time of year but they found one on Thursday 12th Oct...anyone seen any later than this?
This was within the M25. _________________
Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk |
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Peter Parrot Site Moderator

Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 5402 Location: Over the bridge
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Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Scott, it`s a long time back now but I clearly remember on more than one occasion seeing Adders basking at a spot on the border of Surrey and Hampshire on a particularly fine Winters day with SNOW on the ground.
I think that after one or two days of sunshine that they aroused from hibernation to bask. Obviously returned to the hiberniculum in the afternoon. I wouldn`t have believed it myself unless I had seen it with my own eyes. I don`t remember whicn month it was but there was snow on the ground, that I do remember clearly. You are talking about 27-28 years ago. _________________ YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41 |
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Mememe Site Moderator

Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 2141
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Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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Found a few small newts today _________________
No man is an Island. Except the Isle of Man. |
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