I have spawn in my garden pond how can I tell if it is from frogs or toads?

If you awake to find you have spawn in your garden pond but have not had the opportunity to see who it was left by it is still easily to identify.
Frogspawn is laid in clumps of jelly with black dots, while toads lay long jelly like strips which are often referred to as strings.

If you want to tell the difference between toad and frog tadpoles look at their colour after a few weeks. Toad tadpoles remain jet black while frog tadpoles are mottled green/grey with gold speckles.

I would like to see some kittiwake, where in Sussex can I see them?

Kittiwake are one of our more gentle looking gulls yet despite this exterior the kittiwake is hardy spending much of the winter out at sea only really returning to breed. The kittiwake can be seen in Sussex and returns to breed on our cliffs from February onwards when it will tend to stay till August. Breeding takes place between May and June when the parents will raise one brood of 2-3 eggs.

The favoured nesting area for kittiwakes is on the tiny ledges of sheer cliff faces. This makes places such as Seaford Head popular for kittiwakes along the Sussex coast.

I have heard that you should not put whole peanuts out during the nesting season, why is this?

During the breeding season (April – August) whole peanuts should not be left lose on feeding tables or on the ground. Peanuts should only be put out in metal mesh feeders. This means that birds cannot take whole nuts, which can choke young chicks. Also ensure you have clean supply of water available for birds in this warm weather.

I have spotted lots of white frothy patches on my willow tree can you tell me what this is?

Blobs of frothy liquid on young stems and leaves can be seen in the month of May and are commonly referred to as cuckoo spit. Apart from appearing about the same time as cuckoos are heard, the froth has no connection with any bird. So what is this desirable looking foam? It is the excretions from the froghopper nymph. The insect jabs its mouth parts into the parts of plants containing sap tissue. The sap contains amino acids vital for the nymph’s development but the sap contains low levels of these amino acids so the nymph must process vast quantities, excreting excess liquid as a foamy cocoon.

Copyright Sussex Wildlife Trust May 2008

WildCall Factsheet disclaimer: All information contained within Sussex Wildlife Trust WildCall factsheets is to the best of our knowledge true and accurate at the time of printing. The Sussex Wildlife Trust will not accept any responsibility or liability for any losses or damage resulting from following the advice given.

Image of frog spawn by David Ball