Toad update

As some might have read in one of my previous posts I found dead and dying toads which I found to be worrying.

I sent them off to London for post mortem and this is what the came back with…..
XT0293-14 Common toad
This was an adult male common toad in normal body condition with good leg muscle bulk. The carcass was in a moderate state of decomposition which limited examination of some body systems and precluded microbiological examination.
There was clear evidence of trauma with blood-stained fluid under the skin around the inguinal region and the neck /shoulder region. The lungs were semi-inflated and contained blood-stained frothy fluid. Free blood clots were also present in the body cavity. No fractures or evidence of puncture wounds was detected.
The stomach contained a small amount of semi-digested invertebrate food remains and there were scant intestinal contents only.
Some of the heart muscle was black in colour; organ pigmentation is commonly seen as a normal finding in amphibians so this is an incidental finding.
A small number of ciliates and flagellates were detected in the intestinal contents and are likely part of the normal gut flora.
A skin swab was collected and has been tested by PCR for chytrid fungus (Batrachochytridium dendrobatidis); this sample was negative. A liver sample was tested by PCR for ranavirus: this sample was negative.
The findings are consistent with trauma as the cause of death; however, the cause of the trauma remains undetermined. Given the findings in the other two cases, predation remains a possibility.

XT294-14 Common toad
This was an adult male common toad in normal body condition with good leg muscle bulk.
There was clear evidence of trauma consistent with predation, likely by a small mammal. A puncture wound was visible over the back and a pair of puncture wounds (8-9 mm interval) was visible in the deeper tissues, associated with fracture of the vertebral column. Free blood clots were present in the body cavity.
The liver surface had an unusually prominent network of surface vessels; a sample has been taken and histopathological examination will be performed in due course.
A small number of adult helminths were detected in the intestinal contents and are considered an incidental parasitic infection; flagellates were also present and are likely part of the normal gut flora.
A skin swab was collected and has been tested by PCR for chytrid fungus (Batrachochytridium dendrobatidis); this sample was negative. A liver sample was tested by PCR for ranavirus: this sample was negative.
The findings are consistent with predation as the cause of death, likely caused by a small mammal. Post-mortem examination revealed no evidence of significant underlying disease that may have predisposed to predation.

XT295-14 Common toad
This was an adult male common toad in normal body condition with good leg muscle bulk.
There was clear evidence of trauma consistent with predation, likely by a small mammal. A single puncture wound was present in the midline of the back associated with a vertebral column fracture and local haemorrhage extending into the inguinal region. In addition there was evidence of subcutaneous haemorrhage (bleeding under the skin).
Flagellates were detected in the intestinal contents and are considered likely to be part of the normal gut flora.
A skin swab was collected and has been tested by PCR for chytrid fungus (Batrachochytridium dendrobatidis); this sample was negative. A liver sample was tested by PCR for ranavirus: this sample was negative.
The findings are consistent with predation as the cause of death, likely caused by a small mammal. Post-mortem examination revealed no evidence of significant underlying disease that may have predisposed to predation.

I am now on a mission to find the culprit who had it in for the toads…….

New link

Hi guys, have decided to set up a Facebook page.

The link is

https://m.facebook.com/Thoughtsfromthegarden

Be good to see you there 🙂

Time waits for no man….or gardener!?

What a wonderful week or so! My head has been to the grindstone with so many varied jobs. I have finished pruning around the house which included the honeysuckle and the fig, planted numerous shrubs and plants that were looking for their ‘forever’ homes. I have finished planting the Photinias to replace the standard roses, tidied the herbaceous borders and pruned the hydrangeas. I also relented and tackled the first lawn cut. Phew!!!

I find it always enjoyable to finally be able to put my back into work after wintertime, shrugging off the cold, damp weather, shedding all the coats and jumpers that have kept the worst of the weather from penetrating my bones, and taking deep lungfuls of optimistic air which holds the scent of Spring.

The animals are finally feeling it too. At long last the frogs have returned to the ponds for spawning, albeit much later than last year despite the mild temperatures through this winter. Their gentle croaks are soothing in a funny sort of way. In another week or two it will be the time for the toads with their gorgeous grumpy faces.

I have female ducks scattered around the gardens sitting patiently on their eggs waiting for them to hatch. I love watching the ducklings first outing, being led by mum, down to the ponds. I will try to get a photo…

Tedium

Ok, now getting a little peeved with this weather now. Talking with the farmer and he was saying that out of the 31 days of January, 27 of them have had rain!!! Everywhere is so sloppy and filthy, even the chickens can’t be bothered to venture out of their shed. Our kitchen floor seems to be permanently dirty from the dog coming in and out that if haven’t put the mop and bucket away…it’s on standby, ready for its work.

We did have a relatively dry morning though, so with the help of Rob, we tackled the next pond in the line. This one wasn’t as bad as the other one , although I did have to don the chest waders and immerse myself in the water so to cut out the saplings, goat willows and brambles that were inaccessible from the steep banks. Am I aching now though! Using the bow saw to cut the thick willows, loppers for the smaller stuff, then having to drag it out through the water and up the banks….Who needs gym membership when you’re a gardener!?

So on that note I am going to find myself a steaming hot bath and give those muscles a well-deserved soak….night all 🙂

It’s a Ducks life!

Murky old morning today….damp, slightly drizzly. The ducks seemed to like it though, they were mainly in the bottom pond chasing each other around and dunking themselves under the water. They seem to gather in small groups this time of year, with about six females and one male. I wonder what’s going on there!!? Lol. Occasionally you will get another male fly in and try to take over the harem. The resident male will attempt to chase him off while the females float on the sidelines with apparent nonchalance. These ducks are Mallards, we raise them on the Estate for shooting, although every year we have a lone Male Mandarin duck that flies in from somewhere to try and gain a few female followers. His colour is magnificent, so vibrant. Alas though he is not up to the female mallards liking, so always ends up flying off with his dignity and manhood deflated. Poor fella!

Male Mandarin Duck

Male Mallard Duck

Hard Work

What a great working day! I actually had some help today after mentioning it at the Estate meeting. The farm manager released Rob from his farming duties and we managed to blitz the top pond.

We cut down some very overgrown buddleia and elderberry to the ground, opening up the vista of the pond and allowing more air and light around it. We cleared loads of bramble which had managed to weave its way to the tops of the trees. I love renovating and clearance work, although hard. To be able to finally see the wood for the trees so to speak, is such a pleasure.

I know come the warmer weather all the plants will send out healthy new shoots, and the buddleia especially will produce its beautiful flowers that the butterflies and other insects will relish in, sucking up the rich nectar, and of course I will have a feast for the eyes every time I walk to and from work.

We cleared the area on the left over the gate.