Natterjack Toads on the Solway Coast
The Nith Catchment Fishery Trust (NCFT) recently assisted the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) in a project to improve habitat for natterjack toads on the Solway Coast. This project is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage. Natterjack toads are quite rare and are normally found on coastal dunes, coastal grazing marshes and sandy heaths. There are a couple of known breeding sites along the Solway Coast, one of which is at Southerness. Here the reed beds provide warm, shallow ponds which are ideal for natterjack toads as they require warmer temperatures than the common toad in order to breed successfully.
The reed beds at Southerness have become overgrown and the shallow pools which natterjacks have previously used, have become shaded. The NCFT was approached by ARC to clear three of these ponds in order to make them more appealing to natterjack toads again. A team of us headed out and after a long, hard day’s work, successfully cleared three 500 metre square ponds. We are looking forward to returning in a month or two to find out if our work has been successful and to see if natterjacks have spawned in the ponds.