Habitat creation

Having recently discovered a road kill gravid grass snake I thought I would cheer myself up by sharing some positive news.  I have been involved with a fair amount habitat creation recently, 19 sites in total last winter.  Here is the an overview of one of them. The site is privately owned, and well positioned to improve connectivity.  The target species for this project are the common toad and grass snake.         Seven ponds were planned, three aimed specifically at toads with a south facing bank planned to run the entire span of the three toad ponds (top three in the first image) constructed from the spoil.  The field will be cut annually and all rush and meadow cuttings utilised to create ovipositing sites for grass snakes.  The trees to the left of the toad ponds form a windbreak, resulting in a sheltered pond-side sun trap.  The combination of increased amphibian populations, increased foraging and basking opportunities and egg laying sites will hopefully attract grass snakes.

Above, ponds plan.  Below, creating a south facing bank behind the newly created toad ponds.

Three much shallower pools were also created at the edge of woodland.  These were created to increase breeding habitat for frogs as well as a soil covered log/brash/hibernacula.

The works were completed on the 25th of february 2013.  We visited the site on May the 13th to place refugia and check on the progress of the ponds.   Below is an image of the frog pools and hibernacula taken on the May the 13th visit.

Each of the three frog pools were abundant with well developed frog tadpoles, and one of them had a few toad tadpoles also which was a nice surprise.  We placed a few refugia in likely spots to begin surveying for grass snakes as can be seen as in the next image.  The toad ponds can be seen in the background as well as the south facing bank.

tim