Tree Frogs at home :)

I'm really excited to find that one of the animals that I really wanted to see, but didn't think I ever would, is here :oD
Tree frogs don't occur in England, but there are two species living in mainland europe. There is the Common European Tree Frog and the Stripeless Tree Frog (which has an eye stripe LOL, but not the continuous stripe down the rest of its body). The Stripeless lives in Spain and SW France, the Common over a large part of europe, though not the UK. Their ranges do coincide a little, but where both occur, the Stripeless tends to live at higher altitudes than the other.

I got back late one night to find a Stripeless Tree Frog clinging to the outside of the french windows. After that, I saw one a couple more times - walking across the kitchen floor and then on my son's T-shirt while we were sitting outside chatting.
Here he is (the frog, not my son ;)


This message was edited Nov 1, 2004 9:26 PM

I was thrilled to think that we had the less common of the two right here :)

Then I found another climbing the steps to the kitchen. While i was taking the photo I suddenly realised that this one had a stripe running right down his body - and he was slightly smaller, which apparently the Common tend to be.

So we have BOTH species living with us.

I thought they'd be hiding out in the woodland or somewhere, not climbing all over the house

This second one is really cute - I love the outsized feet

Are these in your garden Philomel? How sweet!

There is reputedly an introduced colony of them in the New Forest (around Beaulieu), I've not seen them though and just read a report that they may have been removed by collectors

Yes, they're right here - on the terrace, walking across the kitchen floor, climbing the steps to the kitchen, but most often sticking to the windows mainly at night :)
They've got sucker pads on the ends of their toes - glass and other smooth surfaces seem to attract them

I'd heard that the common ones were released and naturalised in the UK. One report said Epping Forest. Perhaps these stories are a 'rural' myth LOL

Aw!!! Cute!!! I love the colours! And those amazing feet!

Great picture! Those feet are amazing. I like the color green. It is cute. Thanks for sharing. I always learn things when I am around you.

Hi Diane
LOL Karen - all good I hope ;)

Yes, the feet definitely have it!!
I feel very honoured to have the little chaps around. I'd love to know more about which ponds they breed in here etc etc. Will have to keep my eyes wide open to try and learn more of their habits. They're pretty nocturnal, so perhaps that can go alongside bat studies *grin*

Yes, the things are good things. I enjoy learning about nature and other things. You have some cool pictures.

:) Thanks epazota
My camera died, so I got a new one a couple of weeks ago. I'm still learning with it. Taking as many photos as possible.

Incredible Philomel, must be exciting finding out all the new wild-life. Isn't it odd how they aren't near damp conditions, don't they dry out at all?
What other kinds of wild-life have you come accross there?
are the birds different?

I haven't seen these frogs until a couple of weeks ago Sue. The damp autumn weather seems to have brought them out. We have a very small wildlife pond near the house and also a holding pond that the well water is pumped into for watering the horses, cattle and garden.

We have nuthatches all the time - I love them, such dapper birds. They've been bringing up a number of broods all summer and using the bird feeder to help :)


We get Black Kites over the house fairly often, and sometimes Booted Eagles
tWhen we go into the Pyrenees, we sometimes see vultures - usually Griffon, but sometimes Bearded (Lamergeir)
There are Choughs (Alpine and Common, though I've only seen Alpine so far) I saw some of these surprisingly close to home, I thought they'd only be in the mountains.
I've also seen marmots up there - will dig out a photo :)
Here - red squirrels, huge common toads, hoopoes, golden orioles. little egrets, marsh tits, should have crested tits but haven't seen them yet. Lots of long-tailed tits (one of my favourites). In the Pyrenees I must go hunting for the wallcreepers.

I've done a page on our website with a link to a list of the spp that can be found around here and a calendar of when to find the seasonal ones.
http://www.ingascony.com/wildlife.htm

I'm planning to put lots more photos and info in there now we've at last found out how to modify it ourselves....
Oh, there are some local photos on the Gascony page too :)

So much to learn, do and see, so little time LOL.............

you made me want to book a holiday ,just checked it out. looks fabulous, especially the water.
Have you been to the Pyranese often?
I remember flying over them to get to Spain, that's about as close as I've been to them.

It would be great if you could come
epazota came earlier this year - when we were only just up and running :)
It's wonderful to meet people from DG.

I've been to the Pyrenees 6 or 7 times now - though I'd never been before we came here. I've not been to Spain yet, though that's a day trip from here as is Andorra (though that would be quite a long day)
There's so much to do round and about, or it's nice just to stay here and laze by the pool.

Phil, this is the first time I've seen your website! I'm so impressed. It makes me actually want to step foot outside Alaska! Perhaps one day, who knows, but none of my relatives are rich, and most have already died!

Thanks very much Weez :)
It would be so great if you could come!! I know it's praise indeed for you to even contemplate a voyage outside Alaska

I would skip a growing season to do it, Phil... and that is saying a lot for me! I have to tell you that I began cleaning my dirty office, and behind the copier was a package of seeds. They were 2002 seeds you sent me at Christmas! LOL! I'm so pleased to find them and plan to start them next spring.... unless I win the lottery and head to France!

Well, you would be so welcome!
If I get any seeds that I think will do with you I'll send some more - but it's hot and dry here in the summer. Some of the Pyrenean plants might - I'll take my baggies ;o)

Phil, I'll bet most of my seeds wouldn't like your heat. However, I have seeds that were sent to me that I can never grow here. I'll email you with a list of some of them. They might do well there.

Please don't go to any trouble - but if you have some you can't use I'd love a list :)

Will do, Phil. You never know what might appeal.