KILDARE WILDLIFE COLUMN: Natterjack toad has 90% mortality rate

Two weekends ago, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council attended Dublin Zoo’s Native Species weekend.

The aim of the weekend was to promote the diversity of native biodiversity in Ireland, and the many actions being taken by national and local environmental groups and government agencies to help protect their populations.

One group that also attended was Fota Wildlife Park, who were sharing their conservation work trying to reverse the decline in populations of Irelands only toad, the natterjack toad (cnádan as Gaeilge).

Natterjack toads are restricted to Co. Kerry, however a population has been moved to Wexford to ensure their genetic survival should anything happen the population in Kerry.

The natterjack toad is a relatively small species, with adults typically ranging from 6 to 9 centimeters in length. It has a yellowish-brown to olive- green coloration with a warty skin.

One of its distinguishing features is a yellow stripe down the middle of its back, which becomes more prominent during the breeding season.

They live in coastal areas preferring open sandy areas with shallow pools or pond where they can breed. They are known for their distinctive loud mating calls, which resemble a rasping or "nattering" sound.

Breeding typically occurs between April and July, and the males gather in shallow water bodies, such as temporary pools or flooded areas, to call and attract females.

From survey work it was identified that the natterjack toad endures natural mortality rates as high as 90%, with large numbers of eggs and tadpoles typically lost every summer due to predators and ponds drying out.

Weather conditions play a part in the challenges the toads face, with dry springs and summers meaning that spawning in the wild can become limited.

Captive rearing decreases the mortality rate, in an effort to boost numbers reaching adulthood in the wild and this is how Fota Wildlife Park are involved.

To learn more about the natterjack toad and the head starter project in Fota Wildlife Park visit www.fotawildlife.ie.

If you would like help identifying a wildlife observation in your community you can contact me on bogs@ipcc.ie.

 - Nuala Madigan from the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore