Amphibians living on Rosefield
Common FrOG
Length: 8-13cm, Weight: 22g
Average lifespan: 5-10 years
Conservation status: Common. Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981
When to see: February to October
About: Common Frogs are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending much of the rest of the year feeding in woodland, gardens, hedgerows and tussocky grassland. They are familiar inhabitants of garden ponds, where they lay their eggs in big 'rafts' of spawn. They feed on a variety of invertebrates and even smaller amphibians.
COMMON TOAD
Length: 8-13cm, Weight: up to 80g
Average lifespan: up to 4 years
Conservation status: Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.
When to see: February to October
About: Common Toads are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending much of the rest of the year feeding in woodland, gardens, hedgerows and tussocky grassland. They hibernate over winter.
Toads are famous for their mass migrations back to their breeding ponds on the first warm, damp evenings of the year, often around St Valentine's Day. Toad tadpoles contain toxins that make them unpleasant for predators to eat, allowing them to survive in deep ponds containing fish, which would eat the tadpoles of frogs. Adult toads also contain these toxins, stored in their skin glands.
Common Toads mainly feed on slugs, snails and other invertebrates, but larger toads have been known to eat small slow worms and grass snakes, and even harvest mice.
GREAT crested newt
Length: up to 17cm,
Average lifespan: 6-15 years
Conservation status: Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Listed as a European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.
When to see: March to October
About: Newts are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending most of the rest of the year feeding on invertebrates in woodland, hedgerows, marshes and tussocky grassland. They hibernate underground, among tree roots and in old walls. The UK's populations of the Great Crested Newt are internationally important.
How to identify: Our biggest newt, the Great Crested Newt is almost black in colour, with spotted flanks and a striking, orange belly. It has warty skin and males have a long, wavy crest along the body and tail during the breeding season (see main image above).
palmate newt
Length: 7-9cm
Average Lifespan: up to 10 years
Conservation status: Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.
When to see: March to October
About: Newts are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending most of the rest of the year feeding on invertebrates in woodland, hedgerows, marshes and tussocky grassland. They hibernate underground, among tree roots and in old walls. The Palmate Newt is very similar in appearance to the Smooth Newt but prefers shallow pools on acidic soils. As such, it is more likely to be found in upland areas and on heaths and moorlands than other newt species.
How to identify: Our smallest newt, the Palmate Newt is peachy-yellow underneath, with a few spots on the belly, but none on the throat. In the breeding season, males develop black webs on their hind feet and have a thin filament at the end of their tail. Females are difficult to distinguish from female Smooth Newts.
smooth newt
Length: 7-11cm
Average lifespan: 6 years
Conservation status: Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.
When to see: March to October
About: Newts are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending most of the rest of the year feeding on invertebrates in woodland, hedgerows, marshes and tussocky grassland. They hibernate underground, among tree roots and in old walls. The Smooth Newt is also known as the 'Common Newt' and is the species you are most likely to find in your garden pond.
How to identify: The smooth newt is grey-brown, with an orange belly and neat black spots all over. In the breeding season, males have a smooth crest running the full length of their body and tail.
The Claydons Solar Action Group are asking for your assistance in helping us make a record of wildlife found in the area for the next year or two