First issue May 1997

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Frogs, toads and newts are under threat in a county like Essex where there is such pressure from development and intensive agriculture. The small ponds, ditches and other wet habitats on which they depend are often filled in, or become unsuitable because they are not looked after or because of pollution from surrounding land. This means that garden ponds are important for amphibians in Essex.

Profile of Essex amphibians

Essex has five species of wild amphibian: Common Frog, Common Toad and three kinds of newt - Smooth (or Common), Great Crested and Palmate (the rarest in Essex). They are not difficult to identify providing you have a full grown adult.

You can easily tell toads from frogs because of their dry, warty skin, whereas frogs are smooth and shiny, and because they have shorter legs and hence prefer to walk rather than hop.

The Smooth Newt is widespread throughout the county and in spring and summer even small garden ponds may contain over 100 adults hoping to breed. They will breed in quite shallow water, ideally with plenty of weed to protect the young. During the breeding season males sport a frilly crest down their back and as a result can be confused with male Great Crested Newts.

Great Cresteds have a distinct break in the crest at the base of the tail and are also bigger - when mature about as thick as a thumb, while mature Smooth Newts are generally no thicker than a little finger. Great Cresteds can also be distinguished by the irregular dark spots on their bellies, while the Smooth Newt has round dots.

All amphibians return to water in spring to breed but the rest of the year they are just as likely to be found in rough vegetation away from ponds where they will feed on a range of invertebrates and where many will hibernate under logs, stones or other cover. So it is usually in spring and early summer that we notice frogs, toads and newts.

What type of garden pond is best?

The pond does not need to be large, but the larger the better. More important than size is the depth of the pond which should ideally be up to 2 or 3 feet at its deepest - to enable frogs to overwinter in the mud without being frozen. Important features are as follows:

• It should have at least one edge which shelves out gradually and preferably into surrounding rough vegetation for feeding and hibernation.
• A good mix of native pond plants needs to be established.
• It is important that there are not too many overhanging trees - ponds need full sunlight.
• Beware of any possible pollution - reasonable water quality is crucial.

How should I stock my pond?

Frogs, toads and newts have a surprising ability to get to new ponds. If you get the pond habitat right, it is most likely that within two years one or more species will have colonised it. This is much preferable to deliberately introducing frogs, toads or newts for several reasons.

First, you have to get them from somewhere and this may deplete stocks. Second, there is always a danger of transferring disease or that you may introduce other animals like fish or invasive water plants which will cause serious damage to your pond. There are also legal aspects to consider (see below). So we recommend that you look after the pond habitat well and the amphibians will look after themselves.

How can I get rid of surplus spawn?

This is a common question in spring when some small garden ponds can be almost choked with spawn. You may want to reduce the amount and pass it on to other people who are not so fortunate. It is not a good idea to move spawn, tadpoles or adults around in this way because of the risk of transferring disease. Frogs and toads in particular do naturally produce very large amounts of spawn. They have to because they fall prey to so many predators. Or another way of looking at it is that they provide food for large numbers of other creatures.

All considered we do not recommend removing spawn unless it completely chokes the whole surface of the pond. If this happens then a small amount could be removed to expose some open water, but you should not give this away - it is best to bury it in the garden.

Amphibians and the Law

All five Essex species are listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 9. This means that it is an offence to sell frogs, toads or newts collected in the wild without a licence. The Act was amended in 1995 so that a written licence is required also for any collection in the breeding season.

The Great Crested Newt also receives special protection because it is uncommon nationally (it does regularly occur in garden ponds in Essex because this is its stronghold). Unless you have a licence from English Nature it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take a Great Crested Newt or be in possession of a live or dead specimen. It is also an offence to intentionally damage or obstruct a place of shelter or disturb a Great Crested Newt whilst it occupies such a place of shelter. This protection often features in deliberations over development proposals where sites for Great Crested Newts are threatened.

Amphibians and roads

The Common Toad in particular suffers high casualties when crossing roads in spring to reach breeding ponds. Some toad crossings are registered by the Highways Department who arrange for signs or even toad underpasses.

In other cases local people organise 'Toad Patrols' where toads are collected and lifted across the road. Toad migrations are usually at night in rain and as soon as temperatures get above about 5ûC. So it is extremely important that a toad patrol is well organised to ensure the safety of helpers as well as toads.

Red leg disease

Red Leg Disease has affected frogs in a small percentage of ponds in Essex in the 1990s. The outcome is rather unpleasant because they develop reddish ulcers and you will find them dying usually on the edge of the pond in summer. Red Leg is a virus and there is no treatment but it will only affect amphibians. Do remember, though, that some frogs are naturally red in colour and may be perfectly healthy. There are signs that you can reduce the chances of your pond getting Red Leg by refusing outside offers of amphibians or spawn, or indeed other pond animals, and by following the recommendations on pond management.

Gardens ponds and ornamental fish

Ornamental fish and amphibians don't mix well. So you must decide whether you want a fish pond or a wildlife pond. Ornamental fish will eat all your spawn and tadpoles and practically everything else. There are also reports of male frogs and toads grasping fish in desperation in the breeding season. This does happen but it is very unusual and there is no practical solution.