Published at 11:10, Thursday, 26 July 2012

A RARE toad has returned to a Cumbrian nature reserve after an absence of 10 years.

The natterjack toad, one of the UK’s rarest amphibians, once bred at RSPB Hodbarrow near Millom as part of its Cumbrian strong-hold. In recent years, RSPB wardens have not seen any trace of them in the area.

However, in May this year, natterjack tadpoles were discovered in a pool on the island within the lagoon. Adult natterjacks and more tadpoles have since been seen during close monitoring of the pools throughout the summer.

Natterjack toads are only found at about 60 sites in Britain with half of these being in Cumbria.

Mhairi Maclauchlan, assistant warden at RSPB Hodbarrow, said: “This is a really amazing discovery.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk