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Natterjacks Ainsdale: |
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dave hardaker Member Joined: 10 May 2006 No. of posts: 5  View other posts by dave hardaker |
Posted: 10 May 2006 In spite of a cold spring, many have now spawned with good numbers of tadpoles already swimming. I've had some excellent evenings with adults in the hundreds on warm nights. There was a peak on a couple of nights in late april. There are still many males calling ( and will continue) but most of the females have been mated and these males are largely living in hope! dave dave hardaker |
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John Newton Senior Member Joined: 19 May 2005 No. of posts: 151 View other posts by John Newton |
Posted: 10 May 2006 Hi Dave It never ceases to amaze me how things can catch up so well after such a poor Spring, and not only that,but also to go on to produce perhaps one of those 'better' natterjack years !! The only downside appears to be some of the good early Spring survey time which never came (for SL's), and we are only about 5 weeks away from egg-laying. John John Newton South Yorkshire ARG |
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dave hardaker Member Joined: 10 May 2006 No. of posts: 5 View other posts by dave hardaker |
Posted: 11 May 2006 You're right John. The real benefit has been the rain. If the shallower ponds maintain current or near current levels a good metamorphosis rate will be possible for the first time in ages. In spite of trying still no SLs evident at Hightown. Dave dave hardaker |
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mikebrown Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2005 No. of posts: 95  View other posts by mikebrown |
Posted: 10 Jun 2006 Saw loads of Natterjacks toadlets emerging from various pools on Merseyside tonight, as Dave did last night. The water levels have held up for long enough and (hopefully) a good storm in the next day or two will see them dispersing into the undergrowth. Mike Brown (North Merseyside ARG) Mike Brown Merseyside ARG |
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dave hardaker Member Joined: 10 May 2006 No. of posts: 5 View other posts by dave hardaker |
Posted: 12 Jun 2006 The toadlets continue to emerge in impressive numbers at Ainsdale.(Probably thousands over the whole area). What is encouraing is the Hightown scrapes (only two suitable ones)which often dry out too quickly. The population there this year seemed to be only about 50 to sixty adults using the number of spawn strings as a rough indicator. About 17 strings in April but there were surplus males. Dave (N.M. ARG.) dave hardaker |
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dave hardaker Member Joined: 10 May 2006 No. of posts: 5 View other posts by dave hardaker |
Posted: 12 Jun 2006 ii dave hardaker |
- Natterjacks Ainsdale |