FROGS + TOADS + NEWTS

Frogs and toads are both amphibians, but they are quite distinct from one another. Amphibians are cold‑blooded, egg‑laying animals that rely on water for the development of their eggs and larvae. Their skin is permeable rather than waterproof, so it must remain moist. In the UK, there is only one native frog species, the common frog, which is widespread across the country. There are two native toad species: the common toad and the natterjack toad, a much rarer and legally protected species found only in a handful of specialised, mostly coastal habitats.

Each amphibian species depends entirely on having the right kind of pond or lake for breeding and for the survival of their young. For the rest of the year, when they are feeding or lying dormant, they also need suitable terrestrial habitat close by to keep them healthy and safe. During long, dry summers, all amphibians require a cool, moist refuge where they can retreat and effectively ‘switch off’ until the rains return

Frogs and toads spend the winter in a dormant state, usually on land, although some male frogs may remain in the water. This period isn’t true hibernation but a specialised form of inactivity that doesn’t involve major metabolic changes. They overwinter tucked away under logs, sheds, greenhouses, or within undisturbed vegetation on waste ground. As late winter turns to early spring, they emerge to breed, gathering at nearby ponds to mate and lay spawn before soon returning to land. They then forage in damp, shady vegetation, and by early summer any surviving tadpoles from the spring’s spawn will have developed into tiny froglets or toadlets, ready to leave the water and begin life on land.

Frogs

Frogs have a moist skin that is variable in colour from green to brown or grey with yellow and orange mixed in. They have pointed noses, humped backs and move by leaping.

Toads

Toads are plump, warty and move by crawling rather than jumping. The natterjack has more warts and a greenish tinge and a yellow line down the back. They have shorter legs and move by running about across the sandy soil where they live.

Toads are not a protected species but are considered a Priority Species with regard to Biodiversity Action Planning.

Newts

There are three species of newt in the UK: smooth newts which are the most common; palmate newts; and great crested newts, which are rare.

What’s happening to frogs, toads and newts in Maidenhead?

Amphibians in the Maidenhead area; frogs, toads and newts, are declining, as they are in many parts of the country. Their survival depends on having enough high‑quality habitat, and they are famously faithful to particular ponds, returning to the same breeding sites for generations. Even a nearby pond that appears identical is often ignored.

Maidenhead is home to one of the largest urban toad populations in southern England, centred around Ray Mill Road. Each spring, thousands of toads migrate across the road to breed in a lake near Summerleaze. For many years, large numbers were killed by traffic during this journey. Since the 1990s, however, volunteers have formed a Toad Patrol, helping to carry toads safely across the road at night during the two to three week migration period in late February and March.
Despite these efforts, continued habitat loss and increasing development have caused toad numbers at Ray Mill Road to fall sharply over the past decade.

The Toad Patrol remains active, and two acres of land at Deerswood Meadow have recently been designated as a wildlife area, complete with several hibernacula for toads and slow worms. Local residents are also being encouraged to make their gardens more toad‑friendly with support from the national charity Froglife (www.froglife.org).

Newts are also occasionally recorded by Toad Patrol volunteers around the Summerleaze lake, although current population levels are unknown.

What can I do?

​ Make your gardens frog, toad and newt friendly:

• Create a wildlife pond – however small LINK

• Avoid putting fish, or any dyes, into your pond, .

• Keep your dog out too – dog shampoo residue will damage the sensitive skin through which amphibians get much of their life-supporting oxygen

• Leave a corner to run wild (‘untidy’) where slugs, beetles and other small creatures can provide them with a mixed diet.

• Join a toad patrol, both of the Maidenhead toad patrols need annual volunteers in February/March and in June/July. www.facebook.com/toadsonline

• Read up on amphibians www.froglife.org.