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Now itos frogs in Hackney: |
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jwood Member Joined: 13 Jul 2003 No. of posts: 5  View other posts by jwood |
Posted: 07 Aug 2003 After our previous sightings of exotics in our garden, we have been talking with neighbours about where they might come from. In doing so, we discovered some more exciting residents of a pond two doors down.
The photos show 2 of about 8 that appear to be resident there. Each is around 6-8cm long, with a green back with a pronounced brighter green stripe down the middle. The underside is very pale, almost white. The rear big toe is very elongated. It makes a very lound 'rark' (RAUK?) sound when calling. Our neighbour says they puff out their cheeks at the same time. This all suggests either a Pool Frog Rana lessonae or possibly a Marsh Frog Rana ridibunda. Can anyone positively identify from the photo (as always, more photos can be found at http://www.soi.city.ac.uk/~jwo/frog) I am not sure what can be used to distingish between the two species. The next question is where they have come from. We are about half a mile or so from the edge of Hackney Marshes where we have previously spotted what look like Pool/Marsh frogs. Could they have travelled from there? The fact that they have sucessfully spawned this year is itself interesting. Does anyone else know of any sightings in the area? Jo.
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 08 Aug 2003 Jo, Have you the maximum size snout to vent if possible and if you have seen them croaking what is the colour of the vocal sacs white,grey or black. There were Green Frogs in the Lee valley park further north about 10 years ago so they may have spread down. British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090  View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 08 Aug 2003 According to a recent article published in the herpetological journal Green Frogs are still extent in the Lee Valley Navigation system though the actual species present have not been confirmed. I hope Jo that the leaflet drop in the area goes ahead and we find the extent of the exotic introductions in the area. I fear it would be all to easy for them to use the Lee Valley system to spread as far as Essex and Hertfordshire and any effect on native populations will need to be monitored if this is the case. Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Danial Senior Member Joined: 01 May 2003 No. of posts: 100 View other posts by Danial |
Posted: 19 Aug 2003 Hi Jo, The frogs are indeed marsh/edible green frogs, and probably have come from the Walthamstow marsh area. I'm working with the London, Essex & Herts Amphibian & Reptile Trust, from September. Its a student placement, and I'm very interested in finding out more about exotic and native herps in the borough of Hackney. I live very near Walthamstow marshes, in Upper clapton road. I'd appreaciate if you could contact me, with any more sitings you find, or any friends/neighbours find please. My email address is danial.winchester@totalise.co.uk. The Trust email is lehartrust@hotmail.com. Thanks Danial Consultant Ecologist and Amphibians Officer of Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group www.surrey-arg.org.uk |
- Now itos frogs in Hackney |
