Working with Natterjack Toads – Closed for Bookings

This course is now closed. Please view our other Amphibian courses

This Natterjack toad course covers the identification and ecology of this protected species, as well as survey techniques. This course is specifically aimed at environmental consultants, land agents and planners, but anyone with an interest in natterjack toads is welcome to attend.

In Britain, the natterjack toad is almost exclusively confined to coastal sand dune systems, coastal grazing marshes and sandy heaths, though a single colony has been found on an upland fell site in Cumbria.

This beginner course will combine classroom and field learning techniques allowing you to gain confidence in natterjack identification, and an understanding of licensing issues and ecology. We will visit one of the most successful natterjack toad sites in Cumbria to look for natterjack toads at different life stages. If the weather conditions are favourable we would hope to see and hear adult males calling around the breeding pools. We will be visiting ponds at night to count amphibians, so a good torch is essential. This course will give an understanding of the importance of these species for conservation, ecology and recording.

The course has been prepared by two experts in the field of amphibian ecology and conservation, Yvette Martin (UK Amphibian Conservation Officer) and Dorothy Driver (Species Co-ordinator and Great Crested Newt Conservation Officer).

Full attendance on this course counts as 7 hours of Continuing Professional Development.

Your course takes place at Sandscale Haws that is a large dune system with adjacent saltmarsh on the eastern side of the Duddon Estuary in Cumbria. The site, which is managed by the National Trust, forms part of the Duddon Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest and it is a National Nature Reserve. For more information on the reserve click here

Please note this course is not based at an FSC Centre but will be held at The Dunes Hotel, LA14 4QW. This fee is for tuition only. There are no accommodation, lunch or evening meals provided but arrangements can be made directly with the hotel 01229 461 200  info@the duneshotel.co.uk 

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached

Who Should Attend?

Nature enthusiasts, Students, Rangers, Early career consultants and ecologists.

Knowledge Level

Beginner. Level descriptors can be found on the following webpage: Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior Knowledge

No existing knowledge or experience is needed for this course. Just a willingness to explore and learn.

What will be covered during this course?

• • Natterjack identification at all life stages
  • Legal and licensing issues
  • Natterjack toad ecology
  • Survey techniques
  • Conservation and habitat management
  • Combination of indoor sessions and field visits

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• • Confidently identify natterjack toads throughout their lifecycle
  • Understand the natterjack toad ecology, legalities and licensing
  • Describe and identify different survey techniques for natterjack toads
  • Share this knowledge with friends, family, and fellow volunteers.

This is a place-based training course from the Field Studies Council, including a balance of classroom-led learning to impart important knowledge and irreplaceable hands-on outdoor learning opportunities to give individuals skills and confidence. After attending this course, you may like to progress your learning within amphibians  with further relevant FSC courses or branch out into other areas of natural history. The Field Studies Council offers both online and in person courses, so you can choose the learning style that suits you best.

The course gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new subject and acquire novel skills. Our fantastic tutors will combine the use of classroom-led learning and outside learning opportunities to give individuals the skills and confidence to learn more about the lives and ecology of natterjack toads.

• • See the ‘Example Timetable’ and ‘What’s Included’ sections below for more information about this course.
  • Upon booking, you will need to provide individual details of all attendees
  • Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Group Bookings Made Easy

If you have a group of 10 or more individuals wanting to complete one of our courses, our team are available to discuss your options – from discounts to private team courses.

• • Discounted rates
  • Privately run courses for your group
  • Bespoke courses developed specifically for your needs

More details can be found here

About our partner, ARC

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) was established in June 2009. ARC was created around the core of the Herpetological Conservation Trust (HCT), in response to the wider needs of herpetofauna conservation, providing the UK focus for all aspects of reptile and amphibian conservation. ARC continues to focus on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, creating an extensive network of nature reserves, coordinating monitoring programmes and volunteer networks and developing an effective role in advocacy both within the UK and Europe.

Sorry this course has ended