 |
|
|
Massacre: |
| Author | Message |
|
Spike Member Joined: 11 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 2  View other posts by Spike |
Posted: 07 Apr 2007 Visited a local pond last night plenty of toad activity, chirps and whatnot(East Yorkshire). Unfortunately I stumbled onto what appeared to be a mass slaughter of toads in varying degrees of decomposition. The toads were in a small area, some were placed on top of each other. Has any one else ever witnessed a similar crime. My hunch is that Herons might be the perpetrators of this crime. Will try to post some photographs.  |
|
martin g Member Joined: 04 Jul 2006 No. of posts: 43 View other posts by martin g |
Posted: 14 May 2007 Dont Herons swallow them whole?? Probably witches. Seriously though, the 'pile' looks remarkable human induced but why someone would gut a Toad I couldnt even guess. Animals tend to 'eat where caught' for the most part althought dogs or in this case a Fox may take them back to cover for chewing up. Im stumped though. |
|
Davew Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2004 No. of posts: 99 View other posts by Davew |
Posted: 14 May 2007 Almost definitely Mink. The subject of several erradication schemes which are all destined to failure........................ |
|
David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 15 Mar 2008 Went to a new site yesterday where a bog restoration scheme is in progress and was taken to a pond in a small open scrub/woodland only to find about 100 toads in slightly open spots around the edge. 
This looks very similar to the previous photo posting, there were some tunnels about 7 inches diameter in the vegetation going into the water, no signs of otter and I would have thought to sheltered for Heron or Egret. Has anyone got positive proof that the previous post was Mink kill as we think this may be, have been unable to find any back up evidence on a web search so far. Perhaps members may have other views that they could put forward. British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
|
AndyS Senior Member Joined: 26 Aug 2007 No. of posts: 95  View other posts by AndyS |
Posted: 16 Mar 2008 Just a Thought could you not put down an area of soft sand in front of one of the tunnels in the vegetation, in a hope to get tracks of what ever is using the tunnels, at least that may give an indication of what is using them, maybe even some meat as bait? but that may get unwanted animal attention. |
|
Baby Sue Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 No. of posts: 412  View other posts by Baby Sue |
Posted: 08 May 2008
ItÆs weird whatÆs happened to them all like that. I wanted presents from lots of you. Snot fair that Ben Rigsby was the only one to send me Xmas & birthday presents. 
|
|
armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata |
Posted: 08 May 2008 I have seen almost identical piles of frogs, but this was definitely down to polecat in central Wales (Cors caron). So I suspect mink, i.e. another mustelid, although otters are making a comeback. 'I get my kicks on Route 62' |
|
Baby Sue Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 No. of posts: 412 View other posts by Baby Sue |
Posted: 09 May 2008 But why donÆt whateverÆs killing them eat them all up? I wanted presents from lots of you. Snot fair that Ben Rigsby was the only one to send me Xmas & birthday presents.
|
|
David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 09 May 2008 It may have something to do with toxic properties of various parts of the toad that get left behind but not really certain, just a guess really, as what are thought to be different predators do seem to leave various parts so that may not be the answer unless some animals have more immunity to the toxin.. British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
|
Baby Sue Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 No. of posts: 412 View other posts by Baby Sue |
Posted: 12 May 2008 Oh.  I wanted presents from lots of you. Snot fair that Ben Rigsby was the only one to send me Xmas & birthday presents.
|
- Massacre |
I donÆt like this thread. 
My Uncle Derek says that at a pond he fishes at thereÆs a heron that pecks at the frogs and takes out the guts and eats the guts and leaves the rest of the frog there! 
But it donÆt look like a heronÆs been at those froggies in the pictures, thereÆs too much food left over that a heron could munch on. 
