Survey the natterjack toad

Help conserve Scotland's rarest amphibian by recording it on a one-off basis or signing up to be a more regular survey volunteer.

Survey the natterjack toad

The natterjack toad is Scotland’s rarest amphibian and can only be found on the Solway coast. It has an iconic rasping call that can be heard up to a kilometre away! Sadly, the natterjack is at threat, impacted by the loss of its coastal habitat due to changes in land use and management practices, drought and sea level rise as a result of climate change. If you’re based on the Solway coast, you can play a part in making sure that Scotland can remain a home for this iconic toad by recording when you hear the natterjack on a one-off basis, or signing up to survey the toad more regularly.

One-off records

If you hear or have heard the natterjack toad, please record your observation by emailing the Species on the Edge Solway Coast team: sote@arc-trust.org. Please include the date of the observation, time and location of where the toad was heard, and if possible an audio recording.

Here’s what their call sounds like:

Targeted surveys for natterjack toads

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation coordinates the national recovery programme for the natterjack toad in the UK. The programme aims to identify changes in population and distribution of natterjack toads across their current range.

Field surveys for natterjack toads run from April until the end of August; during this time landowners and volunteers carry out daytime checks of their natterjack pond. Surveys are scheduled every 7 -10 days and participants are asked to record all amphibians and life stages present e.g. adults, spawn, tadpoles, toadlets and juvenile toads. Spawn and toadlet counts are used to produce a metric for breeding events and breeding success. Landowners and volunteers can also participate in nocturnal surveys, carrying out peak adult counts, surveys for calling males and population structure assessments.

If you live in an area with natterjack toads and would like to help with targeted monitoring or if you would like to receive emails letting you know when volunteering opportunities become available, please contact ARC’s Amphibian Conservation Officer, Jack Harper via jack.harper@arc-trust.org