Leaping forward for reptiles and amphibians
Come join us for a spot of practical conservation volunteering at the fantastic Balloch Castle Country Park. We will be doing a bit of a spring clean on the ponds, removing overgrown vegetation and getting them ready for the breeding amphibians to return.
Numbers are limited so booking is essential – please contact rosie.walker@froglife.org / 07931685534 to book.
Please bring clothing suitable for the weather and stout footwear, preferably wellies. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Froglife completed work on a new pond in Frome, Somerset, in collaboration with Frome Town Council in February this year. After just two months the pond is already brimming with life!
Froglife is a UK wildlife conservation charity focusing on the protection of reptiles and amphibians and the habitats they rely on. The charity’s “Green Pathways for Life” project provides opportunities for people living with dementia and their carers to get active and connect with nature conservation, to boost wellbeing and help local wildlife. The new pond was created over several weeks, with Froglife’s dementia groups taking an active role from initial planning to final planting up with native water plants.
Now the pond is established, the groups have been monitoring the wildlife species moving into the pond. The first survey, just two months after the pond was created, found the species count shot up from zero to more than ten – including frog tadpoles, fly larvae, water snails, pond skaters and other invertebrates.
Froglife’s Somerset Project Officer Zak says “although the flora and fauna are still developing in this new pond it’s amazing to see how quickly aquatic life can flourish when we provide the right habitat. We’ve already found this rich community of species, which in turn will benefit all kinds of wildlife in the surrounding area. It’s also a fantastic learning resource for local residents from school kids to our groups for people living with dementia, who regularly use and look after the site. A real win-win for wildlife and people!”
Unfortunately the UK lost 50% of its ponds in the 20th century and 80% of those remaining are in a poor condition. Many of our iconic wildlife species are in decline, including frogs and toads. Froglife research in 2016 found that common toads have declined by almost 70% in the last 30 years.
With Amphibian Week from 1st-7th May, it’s never been a better time to join Froglife’s Just Add Water campaign by creating your own pond! If space is tight a small container pond can be a huge boost for wildlife including amphibians, even in heavily urban environments. Why not give it a go with our free guide? https://www.froglife.org/info-advice/just-add-water/
Somerset Green Pathways for Life is funded by Somerset County Council, Frome Town Council, The Florence Cohen Charitable Trust, The Nineveh Trust, The Hospital Saturday Fund, Somerset Community Foundation, and Anne Jones.
This habitat work will be delivered as part of Froglife’s HLF funded flagship project, London Dragon Finder, which is encouraging Londoners to help protect amphibians and reptiles across the city. Through surveying, mapping and creating new habitats, the project helps to conserve species like toads, frogs and newts – all of which are found in the bustling capital.
The project will improve and enhance the biodiversity value of an area of woodland at Ham Common Woods by creating a new large pond which will part of a network of new ponds in the woods. It is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, next to Richmond Park and a Local Nature Reserve. Currently there are only wet hollows within the woodland which support breeding frogs during wet springs where there is sufficient standing water. There is also a common toad population on site which has been divided by roads. A mosaic of diverse marginal vegetation & open water will greatly improve the pond for these species.
This work is essential a recent study by Froglife and partners from The University of Zurich in Switzerland has shown that on average common toads have declined by 68% over the last 30 years in the UK. In some areas, such as London and the south east of England, declines have been even more pronounced.
Since October 2013 the London Dragon Finder project has improved habitats at over forty sites across the capital. “As our towns and cities have expanded the habitat available for wildlife has shrunk.” says Alan Shearman (London Dragon Finder Project Manager), “But, with some careful planning, and help from willing volunteers, we can still create the right conditions for wildlife to thrive in urban areas”.
Richmond Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Pamela Fleming, said: “This is fantastic news for our beautiful borough and we’re delighted that our partnership work with Froglife has resulted in what will be a gorgeous wetland oasis courtesy of the funding provided by The Veolia Environmental Trust. The environment is a cornerstone of our work here at the Council and we know how much our natural habitats, parks and open green spaces mean to our residents.”
The Executive Director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, adds, “We are really pleased to be able to support this exciting project and we look forward to seeing the finished pond and the frog and toad life it will support.’
Work is expected to be completed before the end of February in time for the breeding season.
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