Britain has three native frogs and toads, and three species of newts. Of these, the common frog and common toad are likely to be found in gardens throughout Britain. The common or smooth newt and the palmate newt are also widely distributed. Some garden ponds may have the scarce great crested newt, while some gardens, especially in south east England may have the non-native green marsh frogs.
These
animals feed on a wide range of insects and other small invertebrate
animals, including some garden pests. Although the adults
and juveniles do most of their feeding on land, all of these
amphibians must have still water, such as a pond, in which
they will mate and lay eggs. The eggs hatch into tadpoles
that initially feed on algae but later they also feed on insects
that have fallen in the water and drowned. The tadpoles gradually
develop legs and, in the case of frogs and toads, reabsorb
their tails, to take on the appearance of a baby frog, toad
or newt.
These beneficial garden creatures can be helped by providing a pond or other water body where the tadpoles can develop. It is helpful to have at least one side of the pool that gradually slopes up to dry land. This enables the young amphibians to leave the water in mid summer once the tadpole stage is over. If the pond has steep sides, fit a ramp covered in chicken wire in one corner. Small amphibians can be heavily predated by birds, so grow plants around the pool to provide some cover.
When in the pond, frogs and toads need a point above the water on which to rest and breathe. In the summer a water lily pad may suffice but a more permanent solution is to position a few rocks or logs half in and half out of the water.
Attract amphibians
Newts are probably the most aquatic of Britsh amphibians. Attract them by allowing grass to grow over the pond edge into the water and introducing non-invasive submerged aquatics. Newts use narrow-leaved water plants on which to lay their eggs, folding each egg between a leaf.
In
the autumn, amphibians will seek sheltered places where they
hibernate until the following spring. Log piles provide good
shelters but frogs, toads and newts will also find suitable
places in hedge bottoms, compost heaps and under stones. Sometimes
they will hibernate in the bottom of ponds. To avoid disturbing
amphibians, especially in the hibernation period, ponds should
not be cleaned out unless this is really necessary.
Further information
Further information on Britain's amphibians and their conservation can be obtained from the British Herpetological Society, c/o The Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY or www.thebhs.org