Discussion
I've been seeing lots of discarded dragonfly nymph skin cases in the pond recently, but yesterday I was privileged to see it actually happen.
Apologies for the very-slightly-out-of-focus picture...
About 20 minutes after I took this, it gave a final wriggle and broke free, then swam away. Not an adult dragonfly yet!
Apologies for the very-slightly-out-of-focus picture...
About 20 minutes after I took this, it gave a final wriggle and broke free, then swam away. Not an adult dragonfly yet!
I think digging this pond (only about 9 months ago) has been the most rewarding thing I've done in years. I can't believe how quickly the wildlife has taken it over.
I'm puzzled what has happened to my tadpoles though. They disappeared overnight - one day there were hundreds of them, mostly in a big huddle near where the spawn was laid, and the next day they were all gone. It's possible they're hiding at the bottom, but I haven't seen a single one. Surely the newts couldn't have eaten them all that quickly??
I'm puzzled what has happened to my tadpoles though. They disappeared overnight - one day there were hundreds of them, mostly in a big huddle near where the spawn was laid, and the next day they were all gone. It's possible they're hiding at the bottom, but I haven't seen a single one. Surely the newts couldn't have eaten them all that quickly??
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
I think digging this pond (only about 9 months ago) has been the most rewarding thing I've done in years. I can't believe how quickly the wildlife has taken it over.
I'm puzzled what has happened to my tadpoles though. They disappeared overnight - one day there were hundreds of them, mostly in a big huddle near where the spawn was laid, and the next day they were all gone. It's possible they're hiding at the bottom, but I haven't seen a single one. Surely the newts couldn't have eaten them all that quickly??
Could be the 'water boat men' thingys.I'm puzzled what has happened to my tadpoles though. They disappeared overnight - one day there were hundreds of them, mostly in a big huddle near where the spawn was laid, and the next day they were all gone. It's possible they're hiding at the bottom, but I haven't seen a single one. Surely the newts couldn't have eaten them all that quickly??
'Orible little things that seem to bite the tadpoles, which then die a few hours later.
I used to use tin foil in an air pistol to blow the f
kers out of the pond when they surfaced.You might enjoy this: http://www.theiac.org.uk/movies/biaff2014/dragonfl...
The (amateur) video is very good but the maker has made the mistake of doing the VO himself.
The (amateur) video is very good but the maker has made the mistake of doing the VO himself.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
I'm puzzled what has happened to my tadpoles though. They disappeared overnight - one day there were hundreds of them, mostly in a big huddle near where the spawn was laid, and the next day they were all gone.
It's a numbers game. There's no way they're all dead. They disperse/find cover naturally, they'll be busy eating each other soon. And soon after that you'll start seeing froglets with tail stubs everywhere.pc.iow said:
Could be the 'water boat men' thingys.
'Orible little things that seem to bite the tadpoles, which then die a few hours later.
I used to use tin foil in an air pistol to blow the fkers out of the pond when they surfaced.
Waterboatmen inject a drug into the feeder which liquidises the insides of it and enables it suck the victim dry.'Orible little things that seem to bite the tadpoles, which then die a few hours later.
I used to use tin foil in an air pistol to blow the f
kers out of the pond when they surfaced.Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
I'm puzzled what has happened to my tadpoles though. They disappeared overnight - one day there were hundreds of them, mostly in a big huddle near where the spawn was laid, and the next day they were all gone. It's possible they're hiding at the bottom, but I haven't seen a single one. Surely the newts couldn't have eaten them all that quickly??
yeah...they really can. to be fair they are prey for loads of stuff, but the newts seem to be best at getting them in large numbers (your dragonfly nymph is also an absolute death machine). As Mr GM said, its a numbers game, but if you have a lot of newts and it isn't a big pond then don't expect much froglet action i'm afraid 
Simpo Two said:
You might enjoy this: http://www.theiac.org.uk/movies/biaff2014/dragonfl...
The (amateur) video is very good but the maker has made the mistake of doing the VO himself.
Wow - that was stunning... Thanks for posting it!The (amateur) video is very good but the maker has made the mistake of doing the VO himself.
Damsels!!!
I managed to catch this picture today. I think they must have just emerged from the water - note the empty nymph case next to the one on the left, and there were a few others nearby on the leaves of the water forget-me-not...
When I came back about half an hour later, one had gone, and then I saw the second one make its maiden flight.
And the pond has become something of a drinking hole for bees as well. I caught this rather sweet picture. They seem to like landing on the tiny floating plants (a bit like duckweed, but with a more decorative leaf shape). They sip water in between the leaves...
I managed to catch this picture today. I think they must have just emerged from the water - note the empty nymph case next to the one on the left, and there were a few others nearby on the leaves of the water forget-me-not...
When I came back about half an hour later, one had gone, and then I saw the second one make its maiden flight.
And the pond has become something of a drinking hole for bees as well. I caught this rather sweet picture. They seem to like landing on the tiny floating plants (a bit like duckweed, but with a more decorative leaf shape). They sip water in between the leaves...
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