toads | Wild South

My British Animal Challenge list has just got a little longer, as last week it was announced that the toads found on Jersey are actually a separate species to those found in mainland Britain.

While it means I am a little further from completing my challenge, I am not too disappointed, as it’s an extra excuse to visit Jersey. I have never been to the Channel Islands before, but to complete my challenge I will need to visit Jersey and Guernsey to see a few species not found elsewhere, including:

Millet’s shrew
Greater white-toothed shrew
Guernsey vole
Green lizard
Agile frog
and now, the Jersey toad

Now I just need to find the time for a trip to the Channel Islands…

Jersey toad is ‘unique species’

Spring is definitely here now, and lots of animals seem to be busy. I’ve also had quite a busy month too, with both wildlife and music.
The good news is that I’ve managed to see one of the rarer mammals on my British Animal Challenge list: the water vole.
I’ve had less luck with reptiles and amphibians. The reptile walk I was planning on doing has been rescheduled to May. I have looked for frogs and toads, but only managed to see a dead one. I’m not sure if my lack of success is down to looking in the wrong place (there were lots of big fish in the pond I looked in, which isn’t great for breeding amphibians) or wrong time (day time instead of night) or a combination of both.

Since I’ve seen lots of pictures of mating frogs on Twitter, I’m going to give it another try, hopefully somewhere more suitable.

My other targets for April are Exmoor ponies and, if I’m really lucky, an otter.
I’ll let you know how I get on.