Working with Natterjack Toads

This beginner course will cover all aspects of natterjack toad ecology, surveying, and licensing. The course will combine classroom and field learning techniques, allowing you to gain confidence in natterjack toad identification and an understanding of the species ecology. You will visit a site(s) to look for natterjack toads at different life stages. Site visits are weather dependent; if the weather conditions are favourable, we would hope to see and hear adult males calling around the breeding pools. You will be visiting ponds at night to count amphibians, so a good torch is an essential piece of equipment.

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

• Confidently identify natterjack toads (all life stages)
• Understand basic natterjack toad ecology, protection, and licensing
• Describe and identify different survey techniques for natterjack toads
• Share this knowledge with friends, family, and fellow volunteers

Who should attend? – Nature enthusiasts, students, rangers, early career consultants and ecologists.

Knowledge level – Beginner. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior knowledge – No existing knowledge or experience is needed for this course, just a willingness to explore and learn.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no accommodation or meal facilities provided with this course. Refreshements (tea and coffee) are provided. If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

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.

This course is delivered by more than one expert tutor. Your tutor will depend on the location of the course you book.

Andrew Hampson

Andrew currently works as a Reserves Officer for Lancashire Wildlife Trust and previously worked for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust for 4 years. For almost 7 years, Andrew has been delivering training courses, undertaking monitoring and coordinating volunteers in the monitoring of natterjack toads.

Dorothy Driver

Dorothy is one of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation’s (ARC) species team, in her role as Species Coordinator and Great Crested Newt Conservation Officer. Her role includes policy and advocacy work, training, and contributing to the National Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring Programme. Dorothy has worked for ARC (formerly the Herpetological Conservation Trust) since 2004.

Mandy Cartwright

Mandy Cartwright is a conservation ecologist who has been working with amphibians and reptiles for over 15 years. She is the north Wales officer for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, where she manages a suite of reserves and projects dedicated to conserving amphibians and reptiles and their disappearing habitats.

Timings of this course vary between locations, so please carefully check the times on the course run (the section where you can add the course to your basket towards the bottom of this page).

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  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you continue to build and develop your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea and coffee)

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

What to bring:

• Wellies*
• Warm clothing
• Waterproofs
• Head torch and/or powerful torch** (e.g. Clu Light) / Torch
• Lunch and refreshments
• Small bag to carry personal items
• Notepad and pen to make notes

* NB: Footwear used for the site visit must be clean (be free of mud) ahead of the training event; all attendees will be expected to disinfect their footwear on the day before the field work session (appropriate disinfectant solution will be supplied).

**We will be visiting ponds at night to count amphibians, so a good torch is essential. The torch facility on mobile phones is inadequate. There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. The fieldwork will take place on sand dunes with eneven ground which may not be accessible to those with limited mobility. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course appropriately.