Frogfest in Oxford 11th March 2025

The Frogs of Lye Valley in Oxford have, as they do every year, made their way to the series of small pools that lie adjacent to the boardwalk that runs through the centre of this superb small reserve located almost in the heart of the city, there to court and lay their spawn and ensure another generation of frogs will return next year. From secret places under sheds, in holes, deep ditches, compost heaps, the bottom of ponds, leaf litter and hidden recesses in the undergrowth they awake from hibernation with but one thing on their mind. Procreation

A friend of mine Peter had been checking the pools almost daily this last week but with no sign of any frogs had almost given up but on the weekend the frogs finally arrived and I went there on Sunday morning to find in excess of a hundred frogs present and copious amounts of spawn already laid. Another of nature's spectacular events had commenced.

A cold northerly wind blew down the shallow and narrow valley, a sliver of endangered, nationally important, wet habitat wedged between houses and commercial buildings that encroach on all sides, the reserve only persisting courtesy of an army of volunteers who tend it with loving care throughout the year. 

Standing on the boardwalk, which also serves as a public footpath, and looking down on the pools I was very close to the boggle eyed,romancing amphibians as they lay in the water with just their blunt heads poking up above the water. Approaching the pools you hear them before you see them, as the males advertise themselves with soft purring croaks and in such numbers that the sound carries, not dissimilar to the passage of a distant motor scooter. Never harsh, this accompanying sursurrus of sound can be said to be almost soothing and puts one in a good place.A lullaby of frog sound if you please.

To the frogs my standing close and appearing so tall must be intimidating or do they notice me at all? Certainly if I stand motionless they appear unknowing but if I make any movement the purring sound they make immediately ceases and they dive to the bottom of the pools but such is the desire to mate and get on with the business they begin to surface in less than a minute and by remaining still I perceive a myriad of heads poking above the still water, and with swelling throats the gentle croaking recommences.

Being so close to them I could observe the frogs as they vocalised Floating in the water with head above they stare glassily as their flanks contract whilst at the same time their white throat swells and a  soft croak is emitted.At no time do they open their mouth, the croak seemingly coming from inside the distended throat hence its muffled sound.

For the most part their colouring is subdued but variable in hue and pattern, mainly shades of green or brown, some almost plain with no markings whilst others sport bars and spotting on legs and body but in breeding condition the male becomes grey rather than green and the throat turns china white presumably to serve as an advertisement to females or other male frogs, especially when it swells as the frog gives voice.The frogs can vary in size, the largest individuals being females..

Some of the throng remained isolated from the main centre of action but others were more active in forming groups that tussled and barged each other in sudden movements amongst the jelly clouds of spawn.

I confess to having a soft spot for frogs,.their comical pop eyed appearance so bizarre yet countered by the subtleties and varieties of colours and patterns they present with gold rimmed eyes that in  unblinking stare seem to encapsulate a knowing wisdom. How, I wonder do I appear to them, a human skyscraper towering above on the boardwalk?

Driven by their genetic programming to an  instinctive willingness to risk all and make themselves so vulnerable, somehow evokes in me a wish to protect theses frogs and ensure they remain safe in their watery boudoir..Foolish I know but compassion and sanctity of life are in distinct short supply in the world today so why not start here

Normally so  reclusive and secretive, they have so many predators it is only in these few days of breeding frenzy that you can get to see and admire them over an extended period.

I could watch their antics for hours, privileged and never feeling bored as they conduct their annaul breeding rituals in the water, barging and tussling gently in the desire to ensure another generation of frogs

When they are gone and the pools once more lie silent and unoccupied apart from the spawn I feel a sense of loss, knowing that it will be another long year before I see them again