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Natterjacks in Cumbria: |
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calumma Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 351  View other posts by calumma |
Posted: 14 Aug 2005 While on holiday in the Lake District I managed to visit a couple of natterjack sites. Wrong time of year to see animals, but I was keen on getting photos of some contrasting habitats. Although I am familiar with many of the Cumbrian sites, I have never visited a certain atypical site in the hills above Coniston. Thought folks may be interested in seeing a photo of natterjack habitat that is neither lowland heath nor sand dune. 
There are a number of seasonal pools in the area that appear to offer good opportunities for natterjacks. The pool in the photo is likely to support breeding common toads - a year old juvenile and a new metamorph were observed nearby. I also found a couple of adult slow- worms. My first reptile observations in NW England - despite growing up in Manchester! Lee Brady Kent Herpetofauna Recorder | Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Suzi Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 No. of posts: 860 View other posts by Suzi |
Posted: 14 Aug 2005 Lee, Must say I had never heard of this Coniston Natterjack site - only the one on the coast at Millom (spelt right?) called The Lots. How interesting to hear of this site. Where I lived we only had common frog and toads.I have written elsewhere about the reptiles in the area but perhaps I might mention it again. I lived on the west side of Lake Windermere (1961-1970) and there were lots of grass snakes in the whole area - right across to Coniston where the habitat was suitable - a lot of big ones too. We had slow worms, common lizards and adders too. The area is still relatively undisturbed and I'm sure not a lot has changed. Suz |
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calumma Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 351 View other posts by calumma |
Posted: 14 Aug 2005 Suzi Millom is quite correct. The last time I looked for natterjacks there though I only found a single spawn string that had gone bad. There are actually several coastal sites, one of which is quite breathtaking as you look across the dunes towards the fells. The 'Coniston' site is in the fells to the SW of Coniston Water. It is quite well known in herp circles and is a good example of why it is important to take local knowledge seriously. Check out my blog for more info. Lee Brady Kent Herpetofauna Recorder | Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Caleb Forum Coordinator Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 448 View other posts by Caleb |
Posted: 15 Aug 2005 Yes, very nice to see a picture of this site- sounds like it's unlike any other natterjack site in the UK. What's the approximate altitude, by the way? |
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calumma Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 351 View other posts by calumma |
Posted: 15 Aug 2005 Altitude is approx 150 m. Lee Brady Kent Herpetofauna Recorder | Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Brian Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 No. of posts: 17 View other posts by Brian |
Posted: 02 Mar 2009 I'm coming rather late to this discussion. Yes the upland site you refer to is a fascinating one, and whilst it has nothing in common with dune and slatmarsh sites it does have some features in common with the southern heaths, particularly the water bodies which are strongly reminiscent of the sort of bog pools you get at sites like Thursley Common in Surrey (a former natter' site). I have thought for ages that a little more study of this site might help illuminate how natterjacks might have survived on these heathland sites in the past. The site has all three newts as well as common frog and toad. Brian Banks Swift Ecology |
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Dave1812 Member Joined: 21 Sep 2008 No. of posts: 42  View other posts by Dave1812 |
Posted: 08 Jul 2009 Just an update on the site that I'm currently monitoring on the Cumbrian coast - so far we have had several strings develop and emerge. Since this is my first year of monitoring I'm very happy with the state of events. 
David Hind Wildlife Trust (Cumbria) - Member Solway AONB - Volunteer |
- Natterjacks in Cumbria |