Freshwater Habitats Trust How to Videos – Common Frog & Toad Survey

TL;DR

Key insights

Comprehensive Amphibian Survey Methodology

• The PondNet project utilizes a systematic survey approach for common frogs and toads within a 1 km grid square.
• Surveys involve identifying occupied versus unoccupied ponds, with landowner permission and site information packs being crucial for fixed squares.
• Volunteers can also select their own squares, requiring self-organization for permissions and access to online resources.
• Emphasis is placed on health and safety, including biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of invasive species and diseases.

Distinguishing Common Frogs and Toads

• Adult common frogs have smooth skin, are athletic jumpers, and possess large hipbones, while common toads have rougher, warty skin and are slower crawlers.
• Frog tadpoles develop bronze spots and a mottled appearance, whereas toad tadpoles remain dark and almost black throughout their development.
• Frog tadpoles tend to hide in vegetation, while toad tadpoles are distasteful and often swim in open water in large schools.

Practical Survey Execution and Data Recording

• Surveys are single-day, daytime visits, requiring no special license but knowledge to differentiate species.
• Essential preparation includes cleaning boots, having a camera, binoculars, and the site information pack with recording forms.
• Surveys should be conducted from the pond bank, avoiding unsafe edges or dense scrub, and focusing on visual searches for adults, spawn, or tadpoles.
• Accurate recording on forms, including names, dates, pond details, species presence/absence, and optional counts, is vital for data analysis.

Key moments

• 00:04Introduction to the Freshwater Habitats Trust and the purpose of the video: demonstrating survey techniques for common toads and frogs for the PondNet project.
• 00:21Explanation of the PondNet amphibian survey principle, which involves surveying all ponds in a 1 km grid square to measure occupied vs. unoccupied ponds.
• 00:51Information on preparing for the survey, including reading the site information pack, organizing landowner permission, and understanding health and safety advice.
• 01:34Details on what is needed for the survey: a single daytime visit, knowledge to differentiate species, the site information pack, recording forms, clean boots, a camera, and binoculars.
• 02:06Guidance on identifying adult common frogs (smooth skin, athletic) and common toads (warty skin, less active).
• 03:01Distinguishing between common frog tadpoles (mottled, bronze spots) and common toad tadpoles (dark, almost black, swim in schools).
• 04:11Instructions on conducting the survey from the pond bank, avoiding unsafe areas, and looking for adults, spawn, or tadpoles.
• 04:43Information on identifying and recording frog spawn (clumps, best in Feb) and toad spawn (long strings, harder to spot, breed later).
• 05:30How to fill in the survey recording form, including personal details, pond information, species presence/absence, counts, and recording other amphibians or notes.
• 06:24Importance of completing a recording form even if no amphibians are found, to accurately track occupied vs. unoccupied ponds.
• 06:38Final steps: entering results onto the Waternet database or emailing them, and encouragement for anyone to participate in the survey.