What’s new?
19 March 2007
Spring into action for amorous amphibians
What you can do to help your watery wildlife
The Wildlife Trust’s City Greenways Project is working with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Amphibian and Reptile Group to organise a survey of Cambridge city. This is the first time such an activity has been undertaken in Cambridge and we are appealing to local residents to record any amphibians or reptiles they find in their gardens or whilst out and about in the city.
Taking part in the survey does not require any experience and is a great activity for people of all ages. All you need to take part is an interest in wildlife and a keen pair of eyes. Details on where to look for these animals, how to identify them and a recording form are available from the City Greenways Project. The results from this survey will be used to produce a report and inform the management of local sites.
If you would like to learn more about the amphibians of Cambridge why not join us for an evening at a local pond. The first session will be held on Wednesday 4 April with others to follow in the coming months. The evening will run from 7.30pm - 9pm. To participate in the survey or to book your place on the amphibian evening, please contact the City Greenways Project on 01954 713530.
As the weather warms up, and after a particularly wet and mild winter, canals, ponds and even puddles will start to see activity as frogs, toads and newts congregate and produce spawn for the next generation. People are fascinated by frogspawn and tadpoles which are produced in what seems like incredible quantities, but after birds, fish and even foxes have had their fill, only a handful of tadpoles will make it to adulthood. Here are some top tips on how to help maximise their chances:
Make a wildlife pond
More than 75% of ponds were lost during the last century. The ideal pond for amphibians should have a deep section (around 1m) in which they can hibernate and lots of shallow (less than 20cm deep) water in which to spawn. For more information, log on to www.wildaboutgardens.org.
Don’t put fish in your pond
Goldfish in particular will quickly finish off tadpoles and frogspawn, whilst even tiny sticklebacks are likely to prevent newts from breeding. If you want a healthy population of amphibians, forget fish.
Only use native wetland plant species
There are lots of suitable plants you can buy at garden centres to help stock your pond. Particular favourites for breeding amphibians include water crowfoot, water starwort, water forget-me-not and water mint. For lists of specialist suppliers, try Flora Locale’s website at www.floralocale.org. It also has a new leaflet ‘planting near watercourses’.
Avoid non-native species as they are unlikely to be beneficial to wildlife, and in some cases take over ponds completely, leaving them choked-up and lifeless. Particular species to avoid include New Zealand pygmy weed (Crassula helmsii), floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) and water fern (Azolla filiculoides).
Never move spawn, tadpoles or wetland plants between ponds
You may be transferring invasive aquatic plant species, or spreading amphibian diseases such as red-leg virus, which can wipe out entire frog populations locally.
Recent warm conditions have helped many invasive species to flourish and spread throughout the UK. Chris Rostron, water for wildlife manager, said: “Invasive, non-native species have already caused serious problems to the UK’s wildlife and, unfortunately, climate change is making this worse. We need to give our wildlife the flexibility to adapt by providing high quality habitats. Invasive plants cause serious dangers to amphibians and other wildlife throughout the year.”
More information, on pond creation and amphibians, is available at www.waterforwildlife.org.uk