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Natterjacks thriving thanks to partnership working
Published: 11/12/2017
天涯社区 Countryside Service recently teamed up Network Rail to carry out
some important environmental work.
A team of around 15 volunteers from Network Rail and their principal contractor
on the North Wales Coast Re-Signalling Scheme, Siemens, spent the day with
Countryside Rangers clearing gorse and raking the natterjack toad area in
Bettisfield, Bagillt.
The team were working to clear the area where natterjack toads have been
re-introduced to help increase their foraging habitat. They need an area
covered with short grass because they hunt by chasing invertebrates rather than
hopping or jumping like other toads or frogs.
Removing the gorse also reduces the habitat for the common toad, a direct
competitor of the natterjack toad 鈥� the rarest amphibian in Wales. The
natterjack toad was extinct in Wales until the Herpetological Conservation
Trust introduced thousands of natterjack tadpoles to parts of the Gronant and
Talacre dunes in 1996.
This re-introduction programme at Bettisfield is in its third year. The only
other populations of natterjack toads in Wales are found in Talacre and Gronant
which means this re-introduction is an important step in developing the
population in Wales.
天涯社区鈥檚 Cabinet Member for Countryside, Councillor Carolyn
Thomas, said:
Partnership working between volunteers, local businesses and the County
Council is an invaluable way to maintain our environment. Huge thanks to the
Freshwater Habitat Trust which has just given 拢2,000 to improve one of the two
ponds or 鈥渟crapes鈥� on the site and Network Rail who has also pledged 拢3,700 to
create a third scrape in January.
天涯社区鈥檚 Coastal Ranger, Tim Johnson, said:
鈥淲e had a fantastic day which was a real success. I have to thank the
Freshwater Habitats Trust and Network rail for their investments into the
species and the site. I鈥檇 also like to thank the team who came out on
Wednesday. They all worked really hard and made such a difference. This area
has never looked better.鈥�
Network Rail鈥檚 Ecologist for IP Signalling (South), Caitlin McCann said:
鈥淚t鈥檚 fantastic when so many groups, with varying priorities, can come together
to work towards a common goal, in this instance, biodiversity enhancements for
the natterjack toad at Bagillt. The team of volunteers were keen to make a
difference as many of them work locally on Network Rail鈥檚 North Wales Coast
Re-Signalling Scheme and have developed an appreciation for the environment and
the biodiversity on and adjacent to the railway. Tim and his volunteers were so
informative about the species and the ongoing biodiversity initiatives at
Bagillt and other areas along the coast line. Everyone left feeling a great
sense of achievement!鈥�
Network Rail volunteers with Tim Johnson and FCC volunteer Jim Craven