Time for Toads

It is that time of year when hundreds of Toads migrate back to the ponds at Foxglove. In usual circumstances, visitors have to take care when driving in, as the speckled amphibians are well camouflaged on the gravel track. The Toads make their way back to the pools around the reserve to breed. They are often found on the footpaths and are observed sitting on the bottom of ponds (where they can remain for four to seven hours). The pair photographed here appear to be following some kind of 'social distancing' rule!

They are always a delight to watch and the males make a funny sound (similar to a squeaky dog toy) in order to attract a mate! Each year, the first school children to visit the reserve enjoy this wildlife spectacle which only lasts for a few days. Last week a class from St Mary's RC Primary School in Richmond should have been to Foxglove for an educational day out. It is a shame that the the visit had to be cancelled for this Spring but we will give schools that had booked for this term priority for another date in the future. We hope that the staff and pupils are all safe and well and we look forward to welcoming them later in the year.

Photographs of wildlife have been coming in from many of our supporters and a Friend of Foxglove from Newton Aycliffe has kindly shared these beautiful pictures taken in his back garden. Here is a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly:

A Long-tailed Tit:

And finally, a Great Tit:

Please see our Facebook site for more wildlife pictures taken by our supporters and if you are stuck inside, a reminder that nature is never far away whether it is a ladybird on the windowsill or a Robin in your back garden, enjoy it!