Wirral Globe on the conservation works taking place at Prenton Dell Claypits project we have been collaborating on. wirralglobe.co.uk/news/24747986.…

Glorious sunshine for todays task at Gunsites. We continued to work on the dunes to litter pick, coppice and remove invasive scrub, ready for raking and exposing sunny South facing, sandy areas for reptile and insect species.

We've already got frogspawn in our pond in Eglwysbach. I've verified a large spawning in Aber Falls from early February, crazy given this is the colder region of UK. Volunteers Wirral Amphibian & Reptile Group (WiARG) told to keep an eye out 👀 🐸

The AGM for the Wirral Amphibian & Reptile Group will be at Prenton Rugby Club 6 p.m. Thursday 27th March. Several committee roles available for those who are interested in steering the group's activities. Please get in touch if you wish to stand.

Briefly stopped by Bidston Golf course to check pond we worked on last winter. Checked one of our refugia and it had several Smooth Newt efts underneath

Delighted to announce that the pond we helped create for Ss Peter and Paul New Brighton, New Brighton has been used as spawning habitat by Common Frogs. Plant life starting to develop too. Looking forward to more coming to spawn in years to come 🐸 🌱 🌿 💦 #WirralARG #wirralwildlife

This was my primary school, and pleased next generation can experience pondlife that excited me so much when I was in reception class.

We had our first proper amphibian survey this week at Prenton Dell, in collaboration with the Claypits project, helping out with their ecoschools day too. #Wirral_ARG #argsuk #gcn

An interesting case of a pea clam attaching to a newts toe. It's still not clear why this happens.

What a pleasant turn of events - I led a Wirral Amphibian & Reptile Group (WiARG) survey 2021-22 indicating Natterjack were heading in the direction of Hoylake beach, and is it any surprise that these running toads made it across. They love an ephemeral, desolate pond - took 6 years of habitat succession!

Ecologist and Hoylake resident Allan Conlin has recorded male Natterjack Toad calling at Hoylake Beach, 6 years after cessation of intensive management (spraying, raking). Question now - are females joining them to spawn?

Our first proper Royden Park Survey of the year. Bottle trapping the main newt ponds, Smooth Newts loving the new pond, Great Crested Newt using the older ponds still. After checking traps had a walk into the heathland to see if any reptiles were out, assess the recent wildfire.

Another update from Saint Peter & Paul's Primary- frog spawn has turned into tadpoles. And they look quite healthy too 👀 🐸

Aaaaaaand relax.. Been a busy old day!!! Waiting for the Natterjacks to start singing...

At the Summer Ecoschool Day at Prenton Dell Claypit, leading pond dipping with school groups and rugby club elders, finding Great Crested Newt larva using the pond we helped restore. The Lord Mayor stopped by to say hello too. #wirral #wirralwildlife #loveWirral #wiarg

This Smooth Newt brings our small holding in the Conwy Valley to 100% of native newt species and all amphibian species except for Natterjack & Pool Frog. Now have opp. for hands-on conservation research on "Friendly Frog Farm", part of our emerging Friendly Frog Org NGO.

Recorded talk "Natterjack Toad on the Wirral. Past. Present. Future?" delivered to the Hoylake-Meols Biodiversity & Sustainability Day 9th July 2025. Wearing my Wirral Amphibian & Reptile Group (WiARG) hat but also soft launch of new NGO Friendly Frog Org friendlyfrog.org youtu.be/j7lyxSYmTrw?si…

We had a lovely walkover of the entire length of Hoylake Beach to measure the terrestrial activity of amphibians in the assembling habitat. We found several Natterjack of varying age classes, with last year's young seemingly made it over from Red Rocks.