Formby has 3 on site ponds created as a habitat for these rare toads. One of these ponds is tucked between the dunes and woodland off the Gypsy Path at the
most Northern reach of the NT’s stretch of Formby beach. Known as a ‘toad scrape’, it was created thanks to a grant from the Million Ponds Project &
Biffaward.
Natterjacks
spawn in shallow water as it gets warmer in April/June. We had recently spotted a string of natterjack
spawn in the pond and Assistant Ranger Louise Mitchell's aim was to check for and remove any common toad
spawn, to decrease the competition and increase the population of natterjacks.
Common toad
spawn is easily identified as the eggs are in double strings and the eggs are
larger, about 1.5-2mm diameter; whilst natterjack spawn is in a single string
of smaller eggs 1-1.5mm diameter. Plenty
of common toad spawn could be seen in the pond.
The common
toad spawn is carefully collected into buckets ready to be transported to an
alternate pond suitable for common toads.
The alternate
pond is on the other side of the site, close to some of the farmed Asparagus fields
and site offices, ready to hatch into tadpoles.
Unfortunately
there was no sign of any single string natterjack spawn today. It may have been engulfed by common toad
spawn, or eaten by common toads or other predators. We
will keep a close eye on the pond to monitor the natterjack toad population.
