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Promoting Cumbria's Natterjack Heritage

This new natterjack toad conservation project has started in Cumbria,  thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The one year project coordinated by ARC and various partners aims to raise awareness of natterjacks and get more people involved in helping to conserve this rare, charismatic amphibian, which is a real wildlife feature of the Cumbrian coastal area and is the UK's noisiest amphibian.

Traditionally  efforts have been put into the direct  conservation of the species by improving the habitats where they live.

Not only will this project carry on this essential work, but it will also include some exciting new elements which will bring more people into contact with natterjacks.

An interactive website will be produced to highlight the project, and an online recording system will be trialled so people can report what they have seen or heard.

A media  campaign will focus on encouraging the pubic to listen out for natterjacks during the spring breeding season.

The project will also carry out a predictive mapping exercise. This will use a computer model to predict where in the county natterjack should be found. Volunteers will then be recruited and sent on a mission to ground truth the results. The may result in the discovery of some new sites, which will be a real bonus!

Some of the other activities  due to take place are a series of guided walks and practical work parties, and the undertaking of a social heritage exercise to ascertain the reaction for former workers at old industrial sites where natterjacks used to breed. 

Some money has been earmarked to specifically improve the habitat and install new interpretation at the National Trust's Sandecate Haws Nature Reserve near Barrow. This will secure its place as one fo the flagship destinations to see/hear natterjacks in the UK.

Bill Shaw has been appointed as the Officer to lead this project. Bill has a lot of experience of natterjack conservation in the county and is looking forward to the new challenges ahead. He said on Securing the post - "Natterjacks have thrived in and around a lot of the communities along the Cumbrian coast and their evening chorus is a well known feature of the springtime. This project aims to publicise their presence and bring them back into peoples focus, while trying to boost populations in their old haunts and establish some new ones."

Help to discover new natterjack toad populations by taking part in a nationwide survey this spring! >>>

 

Students from Newton Riggs College, Cumbria preparing a site at Cockerham, North Lancashire for the introduction of Cumbrian natterjack spawn during a Habitat Management Task organsied by Bill Shaw.

 

Events and Volunteer Opportunities in Cumbria:

If you are interested in attending any of the events below or in volunteering for this project, please get in touch will Bill Shaw, ARC's Natterjack Conservation Officer by e-mailing: william.shaw@arc-trust.org

Friday 23rd March - Practical Work Party on North Walney National Nature Reserve, Barrow-in-Furness.  Come along and help improve the habitat for the natterjack toad. Start time: 10:00.

Tuesday 17th April -  Guided Evening Walk to seek out new natterjack sites in Barrow-in-Furness!  We will be walking along a stretch of coast in the north of Barrow, and listening out for natterjacks in a new area that looks like it has potential.  This walk is organised in conjunction with the Barrow Wildside project. Meet on the road down to the candle factory at 19.00 (GR: SD198737).  Wear wellies and bring a torch.

Tuesday 1st May -  Guided Walk along the coast from Askam-in-Furness to Kirkby-in-Furness. Part of the Ulverston Walking Festival.  Meet at Askam railway station at 13.45 (GR: SD215777.  We’ll get the 16.38 train back to Askam from Kirkby.

Wednesday 2nd May -  Guided Evening Walk to hear/see the magnificent male chorus at Haverigg beach/dunes, near Millom.  Meet at the beach car park in Haverigg (opposite the Beach Cafe) at 19.00 (GR: SD161785).  Bring a torch.

Wednesday 9th May - Guided Evening Walk along the beach from Seascale to Sellafield and back. We’ll be looking for reptiles, including adders, on the way then witnessing the male natterjack chorus on ARC’s Sellafield nature reserve.  Meet at the beach car park in Seascale at 19.00 (GR: NY037010).  Bring a torch.

Wednesday 16th May - Guided Evening Walk to hear/see the male natterjack chorus at Mawbray Banks.  Organised in conjunction with the Solway Coast AONB.  Meet at the dunes car park at Mawbray at 20.00 (GR: NY082469).  Bring a torch.

Wednesday June 6th -  Talk on the ecology and conservation of the natterjack toad, the UK’s noisiest amphibian as part of the Black Combe Walking Festival. Start time: 19.00 at Millom Network Centre, Salthouse Road, Millom

Tuesday 19th June -  Guided Walk along the Grune peninsula.  Meet at the Solway Coast Discovery Centre on Liddell Street in Silloth at 13.00.

See our species page to find out more about natterjacks!