As we reach the end of January, we can expect to start seeing signs of frogs and toads as they emerge from hibernation and start to head towards their spawning grounds.
There are seven species of amphibians native to the UK, of which four have been recorded in Frome in the last year (on the iNaturalist app). By far the most common is the European common frog, although common toads like the one pictured, palmate and smooth newts have also been recorded in Frome.
Toads are known to return to the ponds that they were spawned in and when these are on the wrong side of a busy road, this can result in carnage. The Toads on the Roads project registers these sites as migratory crossings. They erect toad crossing signs on roads where toads are known to cross and coordinate local toad patrols where volunteers of all ages ensure that the toads reach the other side of the road safely, often with the help of a bucket! If you would like to get involved, check out their website.
Amphibians usually spawn from the end of January until the end of March; I found the first frog spawn in my pond on 4th February last year. Toads produce long ribbons of spawn, frogs produce the familiar clumps of jelly containing spawn whilst newts wrap their eggs individually in aquatic plant leaves.
As amphibians have, like so much of our wildlife, been adversely affected by loss of habitat, garden ponds (preferably without tadpole-eating fish) have become important spawning grounds for our amphibians as well as providing homes and drinking water for a great many other species. As an added benefit, frogs, toads and newts will also eat up some of your garden pests. A wildlife-friendly pond is certainly a great addition to a garden – even a tiny trug pond will attract a myriad of creatures. We at the Wild Bunch will be glad to offer advice if anyone wishes to investigate building a wildlife pond.
As mentioned earlier, amphibians have been recorded on the iNaturalist app in Frome as part of the Community Wildlife Mapping Project. The iNaturalist app is free and, once you have the hang of it, easy to use. It is a useful tool for measuring biodiversity. Find out more at https://bit.ly/inaturalist-frome.
Date for your diary: Frome Field 2 Fork’s Potato Day and Seed Swap returns on 15th February, 10am to 2pm, at the Cheese and Grain. This much-loved annual event brings together gardeners, community groups and local producers to celebrate local food and horticulture. Pick up seed potatoes, bulbs, seeds, plants and fruit trees and don’t forget to bring clearly labelled paper envelopes of surplus seeds or plants to swap for new varieties.
