noisy amphibian

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   We recently moved to Capel in Surrey, never lived somewhere with so many ponds and ditches. Tonight, we investigated the calls from the village pond, they were so loud. A very rapid "raok, raok, raok." As we approached they dived into the water and went quiet of course. Any ideas what they are? 

PS My girlfriend is from the north and never seen a slow worm before. Now she's seen two in a week! I was quite surprised, thought they were fairly common all over the UK. 

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GuyAndMarg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote GuyAndMarg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: noisy amphibian Posted: 28 Apr 2010 at 11:55pm
	We recently moved to Capel in Surrey, never lived somewhere with so many ponds and ditches. Tonight, we investigated the calls from the village pond, they were so loud. A very rapid "raok, raok, raok." As we approached they dived into the water and went quiet of course. Any ideas what they are? PS My girlfriend is from the north and never seen a slow worm before. Now she's seen two in a week! I was quite surprised, thought they were fairly common all over the UK.

will Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830	Post Options Post Reply Quote will Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Apr 2010 at 7:40am
	Hi They'll be some kind of marsh and/or edible frog population, which are spreading in the UK, following various escapes and introductions. They're your classic continental frog, with a pair of 'bubblegum' vocal sacs, that enable them to produce a racket. It is said that the French Revolution was caused in part by the peasants revolting against the duty of thrashing the water of local ponds with brooms, to stop the frogs calling at night and hence disturbing the sleep of the aristocracy. They'll keep calling throughout the spring and sporadically through the summer too, I'm afraid. You'll find more about them in the ID section here or go to the Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group website too. Cheers Will

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jun 2010 at 7:31pm
	None of the reptiles can be considered as 'common' even down here in the south they can be numerous in places but the majority of the UK does not have reptiles. In Manchester I know that ARGSL has been looking for slowworms as they are much rarer than down south like J
	Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://arguk.org/recording

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jun 2010 at 7:32pm
	Though keep an ear out for any deep sounding calls - like a cow's moo - as there are potentially bullfrogs around! j
	Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://arguk.org/recording

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jun 2010 at 3:05pm
	Okay maybe this would be a better phrase The majority of the UK countryside does not have reptiles - i.e. the majority of the land is unsuitable for reptiles - only a very small proportion of the land is suitable and is utilised by reptiles An observation made way back in 1911 or 1913 - in relation to the common lizard being not found in the majority of the Countryside - this was quoted in Beebee & Griffiths 2000 J
	Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://arguk.org/recording

will Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830	Post Options Post Reply Quote will Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jun 2010 at 6:30pm
	How about using the phrase 'widespread and locally common' for reptiles like slowworms? might even still apply to adders (at least in some coastal areas etc) though sadly less so than previously.