Thanks to the recent warmer weather, frogs are now busy breeding throughout Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is again urging people lucky enough to have ponds in their gardens to leave the frogs and their spawn to develop naturally, rather than trying to move any.

In previous years the Trust has run a "Spawn Swap" to encourage frogs to develop in ponds with no spawn. However recent diseases in frogs means that this is no longer a good idea. Frogs will always produce much more spawn than will ever develop into adult frogs, and natural processes will regulate their numbers.

Andrew Thompson, the Trust's Conservation Manager, said:

"Garden ponds are very important in providing a suitable habitat for frogs and other amphibians such as smooth newts. The creation of thousands of garden ponds has provided a refuge for these animals which have been severely affected by the loss of farm ponds over the last - 50 years."

He added:

"Frogs are a gardener's friend because slugs form a major part of their diet, and it is very easy to make a pond attractive to frogs. Shallow banks, where the adults and young frogs can leave the pond, a deep central area and plenty of aquatic plants help - and it is important not to stock the pond with fish, which feed on the spawn."

He went on:

"We are also interested in any abnormal colouring in frogs, Such as orange or white, which seem to be on the increase. If anyone sees any of these please leave a message with the Trust on 01203 302912."

If it is absolutely essential to move spawn it should ideally be placed in a pond close to the original site.