Natterjacks anyone? (1 Viewer)

[birder]

Hi there - has anyone had any Natterjacks in the UK yet, preferably in East Anglia? I've been to a reliable site three times so far this year without success (dusk / late evening). May be too early, though weather this evening so far looks much better so will try again.

Kevin

 

[Empath]

I have heard there is a good-sized colony of natterjacks at Formby on the north West coast. There is a red squirrel sanctuary in the woodlands there and there are suposed to be natterjacks in the sand dunes between the wood and the sea. I have been several times - the squirrels are virtually tame and come up for hand feeding. It's fun to watch them playing on the tideline. But those toads are very elusive..not even heard them let alone seen them.

 

[KarltheBatman]

Its a fair way from East Anglia but you can also try the Gronant Dunes and Talacre Warren SSSI at Point of Ayr near Prestatyn in North Wales.
Here we have a thriving colony of natterjacks, they are calling every suitable night at the moment and have been for about the past month!
I recently visited the natterjack site at Formby and the Rangers said that they have had a good year so far, in fact there was a pair in amplexus in one of the pools when we visited!
Try visiting the site from dusk onwards, expect to stay out late, and you should have success.
Good luck.

 

[chris3871]

Hi Kevin,
I've only seen a natterjack toad once at the Gibraltar point Nature Reserve in Lincolnshire. It was quite a long time ago, but i remember it well- these are fantastic animals.I think this site is fairly good for them.

'borrowed' this off http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/gib/habitats_species.php

Natterjack Toads (Bufo calamita) became extinct on the site very early this century. Recently however, under English Nature's Species Recovery Programme, a small colony has been established on the reserve, and in 1995 saw the first calling males and successful breeding. A good deal of research and effort preceded the reintroduction to try to ensure that the site was in suitable condition. The site is generally too dry for Common Toad (B. bufo) which makes the success of the Natterjack more likely by eliminating interspecific competition.

 

[Gaz Shilton]

Good luck with these Natterjacks.....Saw one once at Wells-Next-The-Sea, But this was around 1983....Good luck once again.

 

[Jacana]

i've heard dorset is the place to see them, not sure of the exact location though.

 

[birder]

Hi everyone and thanks for your replies. I managed to be successful on my fourth trip to my Norfolk site. Lots of calling males and a few females present. Boy does that call carry on the still air! Some photos attached.

Kevin

 

[Edward woodwood]

Winterton Dunes in Norfolk

around the wetter areas one mile north of the beach road

please be careful where you tread though

Tim

 

[alcedo.atthis]

"Winterton Dunes in Norfolk"

TV today, watched a warden with one in his hand. Again saved the planet by watching TV. Good old rain.


Regards

Vegatating Malky.

 

[Keithec]

i've heard dorset is the place to see them, not sure of the exact location though.

One place in Dorset where there are natterjacks is Studland Nature Reserve near Swanage. I have read that the nature reserve holds all the native species of reptiles and amphibians (although I think written before anyone realised that the poor old marsh frog was not introduced after all.) Good area for birds too.

Keith

 

[Beany]

I'm not sure there are natterjacks at Studland, though all the native reptiles do live there. There certainly weren't any when I last visited in the early 90s.

Natterjacks became extinct in Dorset some time last century, but there have been several reintroductions- Hengistbury Head is the best known one.

The best place in the UK to see natterjacks has to be the NW Cumbria and Solway Firth coasts, they're all over the place there.

I think you meant 'pool frog' (Rana lessonae) rather than 'marsh frog' (Rana ridibunda) by the way.

 

[sparrowbirder]

in the past used to work on the sefton dunes,and carried out surveys of natterjack toads mainly at night time,local name for the species is the "birkdale nightingale"

 

[Keithec]

I'm not sure there are natterjacks at Studland, though all the native reptiles do live there. There certainly weren't any when I last visited in the early 90s.

Natterjacks became extinct in Dorset some time last century, but there have been several reintroductions- Hengistbury Head is the best known one.

The best place in the UK to see natterjacks has to be the NW Cumbria and Solway Firth coasts, they're all over the place there.

I think you meant 'pool frog' (Rana lessonae) rather than 'marsh frog' (Rana ridibunda) by the way.

Yes Beany I think you are right. There is somewhere near Swanage where there are natterjacks I'm sure. According to the Wildlife Trusts website "The Natterjack toad is very rare in Dorset and is only found in a few sites in the east of the county." They do not actually state where the sites are which is probably very sensible. I have never seen one however and would love to. As for pool frog/marsh frog I'm sure that you are right again. "Marsh frog" has been used loosely in some books especially the already ancient ones that were handed down to me as a child!!

Keith

 

[Jay23]

Natterjacks At Arne

Surely there are Natterjacks at Arne? I heard them there this spring. ( or so I thought).

Chris

 

[Richard Bryce]

Hi there - has anyone had any Natterjacks in the UK yet, preferably in East Anglia? I've been to a reliable site three times so far this year without success (dusk / late evening). May be too early, though weather this evening so far looks much better so will try again.

Kevin

Have you tried The Lodge in Sandy, Beds. There's a couple of natterjack ponds there.

 

[christineredgate]

Yes the local sites here .The Hodbarrow Nature Reserve,and the Millom Ironworks Local Nature reserve.Both are SSI sites.There are dedicated toad walks in the evenings at certain times of the year.

 

[Isurus]

Hi Kevin,
I've only seen a natterjack toad once at the Gibraltar point Nature Reserve in Lincolnshire. It was quite a long time ago, but i remember it well- these are fantastic animals.I think this site is fairly good for them.

'borrowed' this off http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/gib/habitats_species.php

Natterjack Toads (Bufo calamita) became extinct on the site very early this century. Recently however, under English Nature's Species Recovery Programme, a small colony has been established on the reserve, and in 1995 saw the first calling males and successful breeding. A good deal of research and effort preceded the reintroduction to try to ensure that the site was in suitable condition. The site is generally too dry for Common Toad (B. bufo) which makes the success of the Natterjack more likely by eliminating interspecific competition.

was intrigued by that quote on interspecific competition as when I wnet to Gib (ten yuears or so ago on a school trip) the guide showed us both common and natterjack toadlets in the same pool - ideal for showing the differences between species

 

[Scrufftyguy]

At Gib Point in an effort to increase the population of Natterjacks both common toads and common frogs are physically removed and taken to other ponds outside the main Natterjack breeding areas. As Natterjack toad tadpoles are competitively inferior to the other two species and suffer severe growth inhibition when the other species are present. Other species that may prey on the tadpoles such as diving beetles and dragonfly larvae are also relocated.

It has to be said that through this type of work the population is going from strength to strength!

Ade