The Herpetological Society of Ireland

**Toad in the Hole Campaign**

In collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, and local community groups, the Herpetological Society of Ireland (HSI) are excited to launch the “Toad in the Hole” campaign.

Recent sightings of common toad, Bufo bufo, in an area of south Dublin suggest that there may be an established and expanding population of this non-native species.

We are asking members of the public and community groups to send us sightings or details of known locations of common toads (with photos if possible). This information will provide essential data on their distribution and density within Dublin and allow us to further investigate the status and impact of this population on native amphibians and invertebrates.

We are also asking members of the public to collect individuals verified as toads which in turn will be collected by an HSI member. All collected toads will be rehomed in captivity and used by the HSI for educational and outreach purposes.

For more information and how to identify a common toad you can download and save the i.d guide from here or if you require a high-res image please drop us an email.

To send information, sightings or photos for verification please use the PM function on Facebook, the DM function on Twitter or email science@thehsi.org

 

Background Information

Based on prior investigation, the source of this toad population is likely to have been captive individuals that escaped or were released into the environment, possibly some years ago.

That they have evaded detection until relatively recently suggests that their ability to spread is slow and likely hampered by the abundance of busy roads that criss-cross the area.

Common toads are not native to Ireland, and it is illegal to introduce them into the wild. Ireland is one of only two countries in northern Europe where this species is not native and it is unclear what impact they may have on our native wildlife.

Unlike our native Natterjack toad, common toads prefer to live in habitats with some canopy cover and are particularly fond of woodland edges, hedgerows and gardens. They are more tolerant of drier conditions than common frogs and therefore can be found a good distance away from wetland and boggy areas. Like our native amphibians, they must return to the water to breed in the Spring.