Dragon Finder

Croaking Science: 2023 so far- what have we learned from the Dragon Finder App?

February 27, 2023 by Will Johanson

As we fast approach the spring and our amphibians and reptiles begin to stir after their winter period of relative dormancy (known as brumation) we can expect sightings to increase in frequency. Whilst the occasional pioneering common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) or adder (Vipera berus) will emerge from their hibernacula to bask in winter sun, it’s the UK’s amphibians that bring the most herptile activity to this time of the year. This is reflected in the sightings that have been reported to Froglife’s Dragon Finder App so far in 2023.

At the time of writing (mid-February 2023), we’ve verified 42 reports submitted to the App; 24 sightings of common frogs (Rana temporaria), 6 encounters with common toads (Bufo bufo), 8 palmate newt sightings (Lissotriton helveticus), 2 smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) sightings and 1 sighting of a great-crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and an alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) respectively.

All this amphibian action heralds the commencement of their breeding season. Common frogs lead the charge; the earliest report of frogspawn this year came to us from the Isles of Scilly, 45km south-west of mainland Cornwall, reported to us on the 9^th January yet seen on Christmas Eve! UK common frogs spawn earliest here due to the archipelago’s unique climate – the moderating oceanic influence on which means that winters are warmer there than anywhere else in the UK and consequently snow and frost (potentially detrimental to spawn) are rare. We’ve received a total of 11 frogspawn reports so far in 2023, with the majority of these coming from Devon & Cornwall, reflecting the relatively warm winters experienced by the southwest more broadly. We’re now looking forward to witnessing reports of frogspawn slowly popping up in increasingly northerly and easterly locations as we pass through February and into March and April.

We’ve received 6 reports of common toads, but only one of common toad spawn, reported from Devon. Interestingly, the Dragon Finder App user that made this sighting was also able to spot a number of instances of a frog and toad engaged with one-another in ‘amplexus’, the act of the male using rough nuptial or ‘thumb’ pads to clasp onto the female whilst she deposits spawn. Common toads often begin to migrate to their ancestral breeding ponds from February, waiting for a comparatively warm and wet evening to do so.

Therefore, be sure to keep a keen eye out for reptiles and amphibians as the winter draws to a close and make sure to report your sightings through our free Dragon Finder App – the data we receive provides a wonderful insight into what our species are up to, as well as when and where this activity is occurring. Happy spotting!

Thanks to our wonderful volunteers!

June 20, 2016 by admin

This month we’d like to highlight the time, passion and creativity that our volunteers bring to our projects.

All over the UK, the Froglife teams create & restore habitats and hold events to help educate the public on the importance of conserving amphibians and reptiles and saving the habitats they depend on. At all of these events, across the countryside and cities we have a strong team of volunteers who are always there to help spread the conservation message and get mucky to help our little frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards! vol KW2016

These volunteers not only give us their time, they also share their talents with us by regularly taking photos and creating fantastic videos after we’ve completed projects at sites.

So here’s a few bits that they’ve shared with us:

This amazing underwater video of tadpoles in Olive Branch Community Gardens, was shared to Rebecca Neal, Conservation Youth Worker, for Peterborough Green Pathways by one of her volunteers. Froglife put the ponds in 5 or 6 years ago through the Wildlife Ambassadors project, and this video clearly shows us that the frogs like the ponds we made!

This selection of videos come from Katie Garrett, one of the London Dragon Finder volunteers. Katie often comes along to our events and work days, gets muddy and still manages to take amazing photos and videos! Check her out on twitter, @katieggarrett, as she often posts more images and short videos of the amphibians and reptiles she sees when she’s out and about. When she’s not volunteering with us, she also volunteers with Honduras Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Centre, making films for their conservation efforts. She’s a Herp Hero!

So again, a MASSIVE thanks to all our volunteers from everyone here at Froglife!

This is how SMILEY you make us! — You make us all **SMILE!**

From the East of England to South Lanarkshire Froglife boosted by Biffa Award

February 27, 2015 by admin

Conservation plans have spawned an extensive work programme to create and restore ponds across South Lanarkshire and the East of England. In total 45 ponds will be created and restored, 33 in South Lanarkshire and 12 in the East of England.

Our South Lanarkshire Living Water and River Nene Dragon Finder projects have been given a massive boost by Biffa Award with grants totaling £96,178.

Our CEO, Kathy Wormald, said “There has been a steady decline in ponds and this negatively impacts on our local amphibian and reptile species and other pond life. Building work across the UK, has destroyed habitats. Our projects are addressing this issue by helping to create new habitats and to improve existing ones”

The South Lanarkshire Living Water project is part of an ongoing scheme of habitat creation and restoration that is taking place across Scotland, and the River Nene Dragon Finder project is working all along the River Nene from its source in Northamptonshire to where it meets the sea at the Washes. In total the River Nene Dragon Finder project will be working on 160 sites of which 12 are entirely funded by Biffa Award.

The projects will also train local groups of volunteers associated with each site providing communities with opportunities to get involved in their local green space.

Gillian French, Programme Manager, Biffa Award, said “Biffa Award is keen to support projects which improve access to the countryside and encourage us to learn more about our natural environment. This project does both and the training of the volunteers will mean that more people will be able to enjoy the ponds and surrounding habitats.”

Ponds are crucial for amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts, as well as reptiles and a broad range of other species. These vital habitats are at risk of disappearing from areas all over the UK, both through deliberate changes to the landscape, and through mismanagement and neglect. Our projects aim to tackle this through on the ground action and volunteer support.

The work will start this spring/summer, with new ponds appearing in time for the amphibian breeding season next spring.

The Nene Dragon Finder launch event poem

February 26, 2015 by admin

Our Conservation Youth Worker Trainee wrote this poem about the River Nene Dragon Finder launch event:

Town Hall venue, impressive ceiling;

Everyone’s coming to the big revealing!

Get ready the banners, badges, projectors;

James and Nathan are the project’s directors.

Guests arriving! Greetings, drinks;

It’s starting! ‘Seats please!’ Latecomers sneak in!

Tales of dragons, adventure, and hedgehogs?!

Frogs, toads and newts of course are mentioned.

Now time for food, talking, meeting;

Even chat to the Mayor whilst we are eating!

‘A successful launch!’ ‘A joyful scene!’

‘Can’t wait to find dragons in the Nene!’

By Catherine Duerden

River Nene’s ‘dragons’ boosted by Lottery support

August 19, 2014 by admin

Amphibians and reptiles living along the River Nene in the East of England are celebrating today after the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) backed a project to conserve their habitats.

We have received a grant of £472,400 from HLF for our River Nene Dragon Finder project. Over the next four and a half years, people who live alongside the river will be brought together to work on improving, restoring and creating over 150 habitat sites for local wildlife.

A recent assessment of European species carried out by the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature) found that 59% of amphibians and 42% of reptile species are in decline. The main threat is habitat loss and disease and for instance, over the last 50 years one third of the ponds in the UK have disappeared.

Along the River Nene, locals and visitors will be able to take part in habitat management and species identification and monitoring. A varied programme of events and activities will be held including Dragon Trail Fun Days, Dragon Boat Festivals, Dragon Boat Tours and opportunities to Swim with the Dragons in local pools. A wildlife themed tapestry or ‘mapestry’ will be created accompanied by a leaflet providing information on local wildlife sites and the species that can be spotted at them.

Our CEO, Kathy Wormald, said:

“We are very grateful to Heritage Lottery Fund for this grant. It will provide Froglife with an excellent opportunity to inspire local communities in the East of England about amphibians and reptiles and their intriguing lives, whilst also introducing people to the many local green spaces on our doorsteps that can be enjoyed by all. We’ll be hosting some exceptionally creative activities alongside much needed habitat creation and restoration work. The project will also provide employment opportunities in the region through offering two traineeships who will be trained in public engagement and wildlife conservation.”

Running through the counties of Northamptonshire, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, the River Nene and the Nene Valley is rich in natural and cultural heritage. It’s important not just for the species that inhabit the river, but also for the people who enjoy it recreationally and the large number of businesses who make their living from visitors to this beautiful region.

Drew Bennellick, Head of Landscape and Natural Heritage at HLF, said: “The recent dramatic decline in the UK’s reptile and amphibian habitats clearly needs to be addressed. We loved the Froglife Trust’s creative solution to this environmental problem. It will give everyone connected to the River Nene – from local farmers to walkers and cyclists – the chance to get involved and learn more about wildlife conservation. The project has the potential to make a real difference in the area and we’ll be watching how it progresses with great interest.”

We have run successful similar schemes in London and Scotland, also funded by HLF. Since starting in London in October 2012 the project has worked on 11 wildlife sites and has run 136 public events. The project started in Scotland in January 2014 and so far this year it has worked on four wildlife sites and has run 19 public events.

What you can do:

There will be a full events diary on the Froglife website once the project is launched in January 2015.
Through downloading the Froglife App and submitting any sightings of amphibians and reptiles residents in the East of England can get involved immediately and do not have to wait until January. Find out more at www.froglife.org/dragonfinder.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 36,000 projects with more than £6bn across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk.

Dragon Finder

What you can do:

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

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