The rarest amphibian in this country is the
natterjack toad, a protected species.
Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood visited Red Rocks Nature Reserve in Hoylake where she learned more about the work of Cheshire Wildlife Trust and the
natterjack toad, main picture, one of the rare species the Trust and its volunteers have helped to thrive at the reserve PICTURES: ANDREW TEEBAY AND PHILIP PRECEY
The area, which spans from Gronant Dunes to Talacre Warren, is home to a wealth of rare animals and birds, including the
natterjack toad, sand lizards, colletes bees and terns.
Cumbria also contains all the highest mountains in England and all the big natural lakes, a third of England's limestone pavement, rare freshwater fish such as the arctic char, and half of the UK population of
natterjack toads.
For example, during the transport debate discussions raged over the environment (
natterjack toads) and the roads (transport for our potential wealth).
How many caravan parks bother to look after their
natterjack toads?
A dry April can be good for our
natterjack toads who have emerged from their underground hibernation and will be looking to spawn in the next few weeks.
During a series of visits more than 30 students and their lecturers worked alongside countryside service rangers and landowners, Eni, to design something to help protect the rare
Natterjack Toads in the area from increasing predation.
A short walk along Hoylake shore lies an area known as Red Rocks, where rock pools support a small population of
natterjack toads, while there are wild flowers, butterflies and skylarks to be spotted.
Frogs and toads in the south of England had a difficult year as many pools dried up over the spring, and at Formby in Merseyside,
Natterjack toads struggled before the May rains arrived just in time.
Natterjack toads have declined by 75% in the past century and since the 60s the number of great crested newts in Britain has dropped by 60%.
COUNCILS were today urged to do more to help turn thousands of acres of old quarries into nature reserves which could support wildlife such as
natterjack toads, otters and nightingales.