Toads and frogs in the garden are on the decline. The most recent information from the the RSPB Garden Birdwatch shows that we’re seeing a third fewer toads and 17% fewer frogs than in the year 2014. We often forget that gardens are vital habitats for wildlife. With ponds dying, amphibians are being wiped out.
We need to be concerned about the declining numbers. Toads and frogs may not be the most attractive garden creatures; however, they provide an excellent opportunity to interact with wildlife in our domestic setting.
According to RSPB conservation scientist Dr. Daniel Hayhow says:
The majority of people can remember having tadpoles swim around the local pond or toad emerge from the rock when they were young. These early experiences of nature are with us for all time. The images and sounds of wildlife that used to be common to us are now becoming more inaccessible.
The early connection to nature is slowly disappearing, and this has led to fears that children might have natural deficit disorders, which could affect their moods and attention. Research has shown how children have become more comfortable with Pokemon characters than their native animals. It is imperative to find other ways to promote interaction with nature. Ponds, even the smallest, are an excellent method of doing this.
The decline in the amphibian population is due to the reduction of garden ponds and the decreased number of ponds found across the entire rural. We lost half in lakes within the UK in the 20th century. The remaining ponds are in bad condition due to pollution and inadequate management.
Toads and frogs require clean ponds to breed, but during the breeding season, you’ll see them in the tall grass and log piles. The practice of keeping our gardens neat has left our wildlife without a place to be able to hide. Amphibians also offer an effective service for controlling pests (they are fond of eating snails and slugs), which is why allowing them to be part of our gardens can bring many benefits.
So how do we help? How can we help? Freshwater Habitats Trust is leading the Million Ponds Project with the goal of creating a network of ponds. It is not necessary to build your garden to participate because even a small outdoor tub could be sufficient to create a suitable habitat for amphibians.
If you’re feeling more generous, you can create a larger water body, which can be an enjoyable project – particularly with kids. When it’s installed, it’ll only be just a few days before something chooses to call it home. The majority of the time, it will be invertebrates and plants first to start, and it won’t be long before the nearby frog or toad population will discover it.
Pondlife
Another advantage of gardening with wildlife in mind is that you’ll need to work less. A lawn that is mowed less often can provide a fantastic environment for wildlife. Also, creating a pile of logs and constructing bird nests or creating a hole through your fence to provide access to hedgehogs are simple tasks that are efficient.
There are other ways to participate, even in the event that you don’t have an area to plant. You can be an individual local ” toad patroller” and help toads be safe on roads while they make their way toward their breeding areas. You can also become a citizen scientist by logging in every time you spot a frog or a toad in Amphibian or Reptile Conservation and participating as a participant in the RSPB’s Wild Challenge.
The gardens in the UK may comprise less than two percent of our surface area, yet the majority of the population resides in urban regions. Making small changes to gardens can result in major changes to the people of frogs and toads – which is good news for them, and gives gardeners old and young with an increase in their income at the same at the same time.
