ARC coordinates the national recovery programme for the natterjack toad Epidalea calamita in the UK.  The program aims to identify changes in population and distribution of natterjack toads across their current range.  Field surveys for natterjack toads run from April until the end of August, during this time landowners and volunteers carry out daytime checks of their natterjack pond.  Surveys are scheduled every 7 -10 days and participants are asked to record all amphibians and life stages present e.g. adults, spawn, tadpoles, toadlets and juvenile toads.  Spawn and toadlet counts are used to produce a metric for breeding events and breeding success.  Where resources allow, landowners and volunteers are also encouraged to participate in nocturnal surveys, carrying out peak adult counts, surveys for calling males and population structure assessments. 

How we use the data: Data is used to inform habitat management recommendations and for national assessments and reporting, examples include PA1 management reports and the Article 17 assessment as part of the Species and Habitats Directive.

If you live in an area with natterjack toads and would like to help with targeted monitoring or if you would like to receive emails letting you know when volunteering opportunities become available, please contact ARC's Amphibian Conservation Officer, Yvette Martin via [email protected]

ARC can also offer a variety of training packages, from species identification to tips in setting up and using Living Record. The natterjack toads targeted survey was set up by Living Record (www.livingrecord.net) for ARC primarily to survey natterjack toad breeding activity around the Irish Sea, from Cumbria to Anglesea. Now in its third year ARC want to ensure that monitoring efforts continue, and that the number of monitors getting out and completing targets surveys for natterjack toads can grow.

Useful documents:

Natterjack toad survey guidelines 

Introduction to natterjack monitoring