I really have learned alot about pond care from this site over the past few years. I thought I might add some observations from this summer, an unusually cold and wet one for this area of Michigan.
Since our pond was built three and a half years ago our 2 dozen goldfish and up to six small (3-4 inches) frogs have co-existed peacefully. This spring we noticed one frog (new?) had become very large (6+ inches) and aggressive. I witnessed him grab a six inch fish, shake it and release it. I talked to a couple of biologists who told me this was unusual behavior.
Over the summer several small fish - offspring of the veteran residents- disappeared. We could find no evidence of their demise to indicate raccoons, herons or other predators, so we assumed it was Bubba, the bullfrog. We also lost a 4 inch Shubunkin without a trace and two weeks ago I found a dead sparrow floating in the pond. Time for some detective work!
Last week on a sunny day I observed Bubba stalking a goldfinch that was hopping back and forth on the deck adjacent to the pond, probably considering a drink. Later in the week he actually came out of the pond to strike at a full grown squirrel that stopped by for a drink.
I can get this guy to strike at anything that moves. A blade of grass waved at the edge of the pond will get hime to grab on and drag it in the water. Right now we are down to 20 lsix or more inch fish and a few small ones from this spring's spawn. Bubba has been joined by an almost as large (5 in.) bullfrog named louie by my grandkids.
Both of these will be removed as soon as the weather cools a little more and they hang out around the pump in the skimmer. There is a lazy creek about a half mile away that should accomodate them. I know more will probably find our pond but I hate to see the fish we have raised so successfully eliminated by a couple of hungry frogs.
Anyone have any similar experiences with bullfrogs?
MImastergardener
There are some large bullfrogs that will behave as you say. They will try to eat anything they can. I've never seen my bullfrogs feed but I don't have time to sit around and watch. Bullfrogs do eat fish but often, birds are easier pickings.
Have you seen this photo on my site that Susan sent me of a bullfrog in the process of eating a bird?
http://fishpondinfo.com/frogbird.jpg