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what our animals are doing this month

What our animals are doing this month

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Written by Kat Richards, London Blue Chain Trainee, and Andrew Wood, Green Talent Trainee. 

April is a wonderful time to head out into nature – flowers are blooming and birdsong fills the air. If you take a walk to visit your local pond, you might be rewarded with some fascinating amphibian life.

Frogs and Toads

Although the peak of breeding season for the common frog and common toad is beginning to wind down, there’s still plenty to see! Whilst there will still be mating pairs of common toads within the water, April is a great time to see both frog and toad tadpoles emerging from eggs laid in ponds during March.

Immediately after hatching, both frog and toad tadpoles will show very little movement. They often remain attached to vegetation or their spawn, absorbing nutrients from the yolk reserves still within their bodies. However, after a few days you’ll be able to see them swimming around the pond, grazing on algae, biofilm and plant debris in preparation for their eventual metamorphosis into froglets and toadlets.

Frog tadpoles may gather into loose groups, with individuals coming and going freely, whereas toad tadpoles will form dense and highly synchronised shoals as they move about the pond.

If you’re unsure what you’re looking at, pay attention to the colour – frog tadpoles are speckled gold or brown, whereas the toad tadpoles are usually jet black.

Frog tadpole © Ben Killick
Toad tadpoles

 

Newts

While the frog and toad breeding season is drawing to a close, our newt species’ breeding season is still in full swing! The breeding season is the easiest time to differentiate between the sexes, as the males of most species develop an impressive crest.

Male great crested newt © Dave Kilbey

In order to attract a mate, the male newt, whether that be smooth, palmate or great crested newts, will perform a captivating vertical aquatic ‘dance’ within the pond, showing off his crest and fanning his tail to waft his scent towards her. The female newt will then decide whether to mate with the male and allow him to fertilise her eggs.

As each fertilised egg is laid, she will use her hind legs to carefully fold them one by one into the leaves of submerged plants, keeping them protected from predators until they are ready to hatch within 2 – 3 weeks.

Some early newt larvae may already be hatching in April, while many eggs are still developing. After hatching, the larvae remain among aquatic plants, where they begin feeding on tiny invertebrates such as water fleas and insect larvae as they grow.

Great crested newt larvae © Dave Kilbey

Try visiting a shallow, clear pond just after dark with a torch and you may be able to spot a smooth, palmate, or even a great crested newt – and don’t forget to record your sightings on our free Dragon Finder app!

Adders

Snowdrops: tick…Toad migration: tick…Warmer weather: tick(ish)…Longer days: definitely!

These are all the signs the adder needs to wake up out of hibernation and start to warm itself up after months tucked away. In late March and early April adders across the UK are waking up and are hungry.

Firstly, they shed their skin and start their new year with a brand new outfit. The females become bronze with a black diamond pattern. Whilst the males a silvery grey with a black diamond pattern.

At this time, the males perform a “dance” together which is all to impress a mate. This can be viewed most commonly in April and is a tangled, energetic battle to obtain the best basking spots and dazzle the females. This is a key time for them and is when they are most easily and commonly seen, but also most vulnerable.

The adder is a shy and retiring reptile, who will often move away at the first sign of people. However, due to their sleepiness from the cold and eagerness to mate, they can allow you to get closer than is comfortable to them. Being the only venomous snake in the UK; they demand respect and should not be handled or touched.

Although bites are rare, they can occur, especially to dogs. Keeping dogs on leads and young children out of longer grass in heathland and known adder locations is essential to keep both adders, dogs and people safe.

Male adder © Matt Wilson
Female adder

 

What our animals are doing this month

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February may still feel like the depths of winter, but for one of our most iconic amphibians, the month marks the beginning of a very important journey. As the days slowly lengthen and temperatures begin to rise, common toads (Bufo bufo) start to stir from their winter slumber.

Waking up from winter

Throughout the colder months, common toads spend winter in hibernation, sheltering in frost-free places such as compost heaps, log piles, mammal burrows or beneath leaf litter. Toads usually choose dry land, relying on their slow metabolism to see them through until spring.

In February, milder, damp evenings can act as a wake-up call. A few degrees of warmth and some rainfall are often all it takes for toads to become active once more.

The great toad migration

One of the most remarkable things about common toads is their strong sense of direction. Many adults return to the same breeding pond every year, sometimes travelling up to two kilometres to get there. February is often the start of this annual migration, with males usually arriving first and waiting for females to join them.

This journey is not without danger. Roads frequently cut across traditional migration routes, and February is when toads are most at risk of being killed by traffic. This is why Toad Patrols and temporary road closures are so important at this time of year, they can make a huge difference to local populations.

Credit: Lorna Williamson

Breeding begins

Once at the pond, breeding activity quickly gets underway. Male toads may cling onto females in a behaviour known as amplexus, sometimes even before reaching the water. Females lay long strings of spawn, which are carefully wrapped around pond plants. A single female can lay thousands of eggs, giving the next generation a fighting chance.

Although spawning often peaks in March, mild Februaries can see breeding begin earlier, especially in the south of the UK.

Why February matters

February is a critical month for common toads. Their survival depends on safe migration routes, suitable breeding ponds and connected habitats that allow them to move through the landscape. Small actions, such as leaving leaf litter undisturbed, creating wildlife-friendly gardens, or supporting local Toad Patrols, can have a big impact.

As winter slowly loosens its grip, the appearance of common toads on the move is a powerful reminder that spring is on its way. Keep an eye out on warm, wet evenings, you might just spot one of these hardy amphibians beginning its annual journey.

What our animals are doing this month…

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Written by Jesse Ashman, Green Talent Placement

In December we usually see less of our species as they should be brumating for the winter months. Brumation is similar to the more well-known hibernation, except that they will not become completely dormant and will come out for brief periods of foraging.

With that in mind, what is the common frog doing this month?

Unlike other amphibians, frogs don’t like to travel far and may bury themselves in the mud at the bottom of ponds waiting out the winter for breeding season to arrive again. This strategy keeps them safe from predators, but puts them at risk of lack of oxygen if a pond freezes over completely.

 

A good way to prevent this is to put a ball in your pond before a frost, which will create a small gap in the ice for any amphibians to use to grab some air.

You’re not likely to see many frogs during December, but if you do, it’s because they’ll be making the most of any milder weather to pop up and hunt for bugs.

Being cold-blooded means common frogs are sometimes assumed to prefer cooler weather – this is not true! Frogs need external heat sources like the sun to keep warm and like to come out when it’s warmer.

If you see a common frog in your pond this month don’t forget to record it on the Dragon Finder App so we can monitor their population and behaviours.

What our animals are doing this month…

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September: A Key Month for the Adder

As summer draws to a close, September marks a turning point for one of the UK’s most fascinating native reptiles, the adder (Vipera berus). This month brings a shift in their behaviour, with individuals beginning the journey back to their overwintering sites, where they’ll eventually spend the colder months in hibernation.

Heading Home for Winter

From September onwards, adders start moving towards their overwintering locations, places they often return to year after year. These hibernation spots, known as hibernacula, are usually sunny, south-facing embankments that provide shelter from frosts, rain, and predators. Common examples include old mammal burrows, hollow tree stumps, root systems, tussocks, rockeries, and even piles of dead wood.

Once near these sites, the snakes can still be spotted basking in the sun well into late October, only retreating fully when the weather makes it necessary.

September: Prime Adder-Spotting Season

For wildlife enthusiasts, early autumn can be a fantastic time to see adders in the wild. As the days cool, they tend to spend more time basking in open areas during sunny spells. This behaviour helps them regulate their body temperature before the long winter ahead.

Adders are relatively easy to identify thanks to their distinctive features: a bold dark zig-zag pattern along their back, a red iris with a vertical pupil, and an average length of 60–80cm.

Sun-Lovers with a Safety Plan

Even as temperatures drop, adders will bask in surprisingly cool weather, provided the sun is shining. However, they’re careful about where they choose to do it. Ideal basking spots offer both warmth and safety, with sunny exposure and long vegetation nearby, often about the length of the snake’s own body, providing quick cover if a predator passes by.

A Seasonal Spectacle

September’s combination of cooler temperatures and bursts of autumn sunshine makes it one of the best times to appreciate this often-misunderstood reptile. Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife watcher or just enjoy a walk in nature, keeping an eye out for the adder can be a rewarding experience, just remember to observe from a respectful distance, for both your safety and theirs.

And don’t forget, if you spot any reptiles, amphibians, or even their eggs, make sure to record your sightings on our FREE Dragon Finder App.

Your observations help us track populations and protect the habitats of these wonderful wild creatures.

What our animals are doing this month…

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Basking in the Sun: Summer Adventures of the Grass Snake

While many animals retreat to shaded havens during the heat of the August sun, one elusive reptile takes full advantage of the warmth, the grass snake.

These shy yet captivating creatures are often seen basking on sun-drenched rocks, riverbanks, or compost heaps. As cold-blooded reptiles, grass snakes rely entirely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Basking helps them warm up enough to move, hunt, and digest food. But even sun lovers have their limits. When the temperature rises too high, grass snakes will slither off into hedgerows or even plunge into nearby rivers and ponds to cool down. Believe it or not, they are excellent swimmers!

A Summer of Survival and Courtship

Summer is not just about sunbathing for grass snakes, it’s a season of vital importance for reproduction. During the warmer months, males are on the move, searching for females to perform their subtle and fascinating courtship rituals. Once mating is successful, females must then find the perfect spot to lay their eggs.

Between June and July, female grass snakes often choose warm, damp environments such as compost heaps or rotting vegetation to deposit their eggs. These natural incubators provide the steady warmth and humidity needed for the eggs to develop safely. By August, some of these eggs may have already hatched, meaning that lucky observers might spot tiny juveniles navigating their first summer in the wild.

What’s on the Menu?

Grass snakes are skilled hunters with a diet that mainly consists of amphibians: frogs, toads, and newts are particular favourites. They also consume small fish and, from time to time, may snack on small mammals. Their excellent swimming abilities give them an advantage when hunting in aquatic environments, allowing them to glide effortlessly through ponds and streams in search of prey.

A Slithery Fun Fact

Here’s something you might not know: grass snakes are the only snake species in the UK that lays eggs. Other British snakes, like the adder and smooth snake, give birth to live young. This unique trait makes the grass snake a fascinating species to watch, especially during the summer breeding season.

Have You Spotted One?

If you’re out enjoying nature this summer, keep an eye out for grass snakes basking in the sun or gliding through the water. And don’t forget, if you spot any reptiles, amphibians, or even their eggs, make sure to record your sightings on our FREE Dragon Finder App.

Your observations help us track populations and protect the habitats of these wonderful wild creatures.

What our animals are doing this month

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Written by Anastasia Hinchcliffe, Coalface to Wildspace Yorkshire Trainee

Although we now turn from an unseasonably dry spring towards the summer months, plenty is still going on for our amphibians. This month, our focus is on the common toad.

With their mating season generally coming to a close in early spring, adult toads will now be back to spending less time in water, instead favouring dark and damp spots in which to shelter and feed. You may have been lucky enough to see their tadpoles, which differ from those of the common frog in that they are darker (generally black in colour), appear slightly smaller and tend to move around in shoals. Earlier still, you may have seen toad spawn, which appears to be in ribbons rather than clumps and is often wrapped around pond foliage.

toads will now be back to spending less time in water, instead favouring dark and damp spots in which to shelter and feed.

Although their physical progression into adulthood is much the same, toadlets tend to leave the water slightly earlier than froglets and, although still tiny, may now be seen making their mass exodus across grassy banks and footpaths. Unfortunately, their small size makes them easy to step on, so take care to watch your step while out and about!

Preferred spots for toads for the rest of the year include collections of leaf litter, log piles and compost heaps. With toad numbers continually on the decline, making wildlife-friendly choices in gardens is especially important for them. While we have the sun, why not get out in the garden and create your own shady log or rock pile, or even a special Toad Abode? It’s also never too late in the season to dig that pond!

There’s tonnes of other ideas in our ‘Idea Zone’ so whilst the weather is good, get outside and make your green spaces more wildlife-friendly. 

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