Natterjack Toad Scrape

The natterjack toad is under threat in Britain and has become much rarer due to changes in land use.  As it is found in coastal dunes, salt marshes and heath-lands, Formby is the perfect location for the elusive & rare toad.

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.