Natterjack Toad LBAP

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	WELCOME TO CHESHIRE BIODIVERSITY PART OF THE CHESHIRE REGION BIODIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP

NATTERJACK TOAD (BUFO CALAMITA)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Links to associated HAPs

Coastal sand dunes

Current Status

The stronghold of this species remains the coastal dunes and upper saltmarsh habitats of the Irish Sea coast from Liverpool Bay north to the Solway estuary. There are also populations on east coast dunes in Norfolk and Lincolnshire, and on heathlands in Norfolk, Suffolk, Staffordshire, Bedfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset.

In the Cheshire region the only site for this species is Red Rocks Marsh SSSI at Hoylake on the Wirral. This coastal site is managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust as a Nature Reserve. The natterjack became locally extinct at this site in 1995, and the Cheshire Wildlife Trust are continuing to encourage establishment of the species through habitat management following spawn translocation from the Sefton Coast which ended in 2000. In 2001 12-20 males where found calling and six spawn strings noted. 36 natterjack toadlets counted by 20th July.

Protected through both national and international legislation including Bern convention, WCA 1981 Schedule 5, EC Habitats Directive and Species Directive (1992), also the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994 where it is listed on Schedule 2. The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2 (HMSO, 1995) contains a costed BAP for natterjack toad.

Threats

Competition from common toads (Bufo bufo)
Predation by aquatic invertebrates
Disturbance of embryo dune formation and natural dune accretion are limiting the available habitat of the toad
Recreational activities

How are we helping to conserve the Natterjack Toad in the Cheshire region?

A Natterjack Toad Site Register for the UK has been compiled on behalf of the British Herpetological Society's Conservation committee. This was first compiled in 1986 and is updated annually.
The Local Records Centre, rECOrd, is compiling records for this species. Please send details of all sightings to rECOrd.

Objectives, Targets and Actions

OBJECTIVES	LOCAL TARGETS
To ensure the present population numbers do not decrease	Increase the number of suitable temporary scrapes
	Fence the newly created scrapes to protect them against disturbance
To promote education and awareness in order to encourage responsible attitudes towards conserving Natterjack toad populations	Produce an interpretive board.
	Hold guided walks.
ACTION REQUIRED
Monitoring of male calling and toadlets Monitoring of the site on a regular basis by volunteers Possibly create a new scrape, permission required from Natural England

Progress so far

2006 Action Completed

Monitoring of male calling and toadlets counted
The group of volunteers have been monitoring the site on a regular basis

2005 Action Completed

Monitoring of male calling and toadlets counted
The new group of volunteers have been monitoring the site on a regular basis

1997-2004 Action Completed

An artificial scrape has been created by the Herpetological Conservation Trust in the stable dune area within the boundary of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club and adjacent to Red Rocks Marsh.
Until 2000 the Cheshire Wildlife Trust were working in partnership with the Sefton Coast Life Project, the Herpetological Conservation Trust, Wirral Borough Council and English Nature in translocating spawn from the Sefton Coast to specially created scrapes at Red Rocks Marsh. In 2000 100 toadlets were seen emerging from one of the scrapes and the decision was made to stop translocation. In 2001 spawn was laid by resident toads.
In 2001 vegetation was removed and reprofiling carried out on two of the existing scrapes at Red Rocks Marsh.
Monitoring of the population took place through hand search and male calling in 2004.
Hand pulling of some phragmites growth in one pool carried out by Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council in 2004.
One scrape was cleared of vegetation in 2004. Embryo dunes and slack are establishing well
A new group of volunteers have been formed in 2004 to help monitor the population.

How to find out more about Natterjack Toads

This plan is in the Wirral Biodiversity Action Plan which can be viewed at www.wirral.gov.uk/ed/biodiversity/home.htm
UK BAP for Natterjack Toads - www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=173

How can you get involved?

Join the Cheshire and Wirral Amphibian and Reptile Group, ask Julian Whitehurst (phone 01829 770797 ) for details.

Contact details

LBAP Chair	Jacki Hulse, Cheshire Wildlife Trust Phone: 01948 820728
National Lead Partner	Natural England
National Contact	John Buckley and Paul Edgar, Herpetological Conservation Trust Phone: 01202 391319

References & Glossary

Beebee, T. J. C. & Denton, J. S. (1996): The Natterjack Toad Conservation Handbook, English Nature.
Denton, J. S., Hitchins, S. P. & Beebee, T. J. C. (1995): The Natterjack Toad Species Recovery Programme Project 1992-5 final Report, English Nature.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2:Action Plans, London.
Simmonds, J. (1993): Red Rocks Management Plan, Cheshire Wildlife Trust