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RAUK - Archived Forum - Natterjacks Ainsdale

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Natterjacks Ainsdale:

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dave hardaker
Member
Joined: 10 May 2006
No. of posts: 5


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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
John Newton
Senior Member
Joined: 19 May 2005
No. of posts: 151


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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
dave hardaker
Member
Joined: 10 May 2006
No. of posts: 5


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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
mikebrown
Senior Member
Joined: 30 Jun 2005
No. of posts: 95


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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
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
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

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