The duration that frogs will stay in your pond can vary depending on various factors such as breeding behavior, environmental conditions, and availability of food and shelter. In the case of breeding Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) and Common Toads (Bufo bufo), they typically do not remain around the pond area for an extended period of time after breeding.
Breeding season for both Common Frogs and Common Toads usually occurs in early spring, typically from March to May, although this can vary depending on geographic location and weather conditions. During this time, male frogs and toads will congregate at the pond and produce their distinctive mating calls to attract females. Once a female is attracted, she will join the male in the water for mating, and the female will then lay her eggs in the pond.
After the mating and egg-laying process, the adult frogs and toads will typically disperse from the pond area and move to other terrestrial habitats. This behavior is known as post-breeding dispersal. The reason for this dispersal is primarily due to the need to find suitable foraging grounds and shelter.
Frogs and toads require a diverse range of habitats to meet their various needs throughout their life cycle. These habitats include not only breeding ponds but also nearby terrestrial habitats such as woodlands, meadows, and gardens. After breeding, frogs and toads will often migrate to these terrestrial habitats to find food sources, such as insects and other invertebrates, and to seek shelter in vegetation or under rocks and logs.
The duration of time that frogs and toads will stay in your pond after breeding can vary, but it is generally only a few weeks. Once their primary purpose of breeding is complete, they will move on to other areas to fulfill their other ecological needs. This behavior is important for maintaining healthy populations of frogs and toads, as it allows for genetic exchange and prevents overcrowding in the breeding ponds.
It is worth noting that some individuals may choose to remain in the vicinity of the pond for longer periods if the habitat provides suitable conditions, such as an abundance of food and shelter. However, this is not the norm for the majority of breeding frogs and toads.
In my personal experience as a biologist, I have observed this post-breeding dispersal behavior in frogs and toads. After witnessing the impressive chorus of mating calls and the synchronized breeding activity in the pond, it is always fascinating to see how the adults gradually disperse and return to their individual territories or other suitable habitats.
To conclude, the majority of breeding Common Frogs and Common Toads will not stay around the pond area for more than a few weeks after breeding. Their post-breeding dispersal behavior is essential for their survival and ecological balance, allowing them to find food and shelter in terrestrial habitats.