Frog Spawn

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Frog Spawn
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wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 16 4:22 pm Post subject:
I miss ponds. I don't suppose we'll get one dug in time for frogspawn.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46396
Location: yes

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 16 5:14 pm Post subject:

wellington womble wrote:

I miss ponds. I don't suppose we'll get one dug in time for frogspawn.

drive a post into the wettest bit of floor,pull it out (or use a shaped charge)

get a kilo of black pearl (or ballistic propellant) with a few turns of det cord wrapped around the plastic tub pop unit into hole with end of det cord poking out, tamp with mud ,attach cap and wire, command detonate from a bit away
(perhaps get an adult with a bang licence to help with this bit)

=pond

other chemistry /bangy engineering can work but the above is reliable in varied soils and is often used on moorland that is being restored to wildlife habitats.

bout half an hour for a decent sized pond.

liner optional depending on circumstances

a digger is a bit slower but less disturbing for the locals

by hand it is hard work to make it deep and broad enough for a good wildlife pond especially if it is in a self filling position.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 16 5:25 pm Post subject:
Our pond's about 5 foot square and 18 inches deep. It's built up rather than sunk in. The frogs and newts seem happy enough. I reckon that they're not as picky as people tell you.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 16 9:41 pm Post subject:
I'd probably get thrown out! I do actually have a digger. Is driving one a skilled job? I can parallel park, and tow a caravan (can't reverse it, though). No idea how to start the thing, but I suppose it could be very useful.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46396
Location: yes

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 16 10:28 pm Post subject:

i recon a pond would be a good first project for learning digger driving.

so long as there is plenty of space to swing the arm and you remember not to dig yourself onto an island in the middle of the hole a pond would be ideal practice.

there are lots of online tutorials to have a look at.

it took my chum about 15 mins to teach me how to start,steer etc .im rubbish at it but the basics are easier than a sewing machine or chainsaw.

buzzy

Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 3708
Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 16 12:06 am Post subject:

dpack wrote:

i recon a pond would be a good first project for learning digger driving.

And make sure to look for overhead lines before you start.

Henry

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 16134

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 16 8:16 am Post subject:
Also a good idea to make sure that there are no utilities in the ground before you start. Will have a look and see if we have any frogspawn. We had some a couple of years ago after several years with nothing as the frogs got red leg, but nothing last year.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 16 5:17 pm Post subject:
We've had an overnight delivery. Last edited by Bodger on Mon Feb 01, 16 5:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46396
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 16 5:19 pm Post subject:
very nice ,froggies are fun

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 16 11:13 pm Post subject:
Overhead lines, space and utilities are no problem. I just have to figure out where I want it and how to start the thing, then. Good as done ;o)

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46396
Location: yes

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 16 10:11 am Post subject:

i recon there will be a manual and probably tutorials for your machine online

steering etc is pretty instinctive

not falling over or into the hole etc is mostly common sense and it is better to be cautious than bold on these matters

accurate scraping,scooping and emptying the bucket takes a bit of practice

rigging the thing so you can jump off before it falls off a cliff require gaffer tape and a few bits of timber and the normal rules of arson apply if that is appropriate

LynneA

Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Posts: 4893
Location: London N21

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 16 12:37 pm Post subject:
Nothing here yet, which will hopefully allow me time to refurb the pond this weekend. (Pumpkin will be pleased, as she's terrified of frogs )

jettejette

Joined: 01 Jun 2013
Posts: 225

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 16 2:31 pm Post subject:

wellington womble wrote:

I miss ponds. I don't suppose we'll get one dug in time for frogspawn.

Round our way you don't really need a pond . We find frog spawn in tractor ruts! 🐸

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 16134

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 16 8:07 am Post subject:
I have seen that round here too. Sometimes they lay in the most unsuitable places. They also frequently manage to lay before a heavy frost so the top ones get killed by the cold.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9894
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 16 10:03 am Post subject:
first lot spotted here yesterday

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