Bringing Reedbeds to Life Amphibian Survey of two key reedbed sites in England in 2010

Bringing Reedbeds to Life is an innovative programme of scientific research and habitat monitoring, coupled with practical habitat management advice and training. It represents one of the largest co-ordinated programmes of such work on reedbed wetlands for over a decade. The project aims to generate a better understanding of the requirements of a wider range of reedbed wildlife. This enhanced understanding will be used to inform advice, training, management and future conservation strategies across England's reedbeds. Spawn searches for common frogs, bottle trapping for newts and auditory and visual searches for marsh frogs were carried out between February and May 2010. Surveys were conducted at RSPB Ham Wall NNR (Somerset) and NE Stodmarsh NNR (Kent). The species encountered in systematic surveys were common frogs (Rana temporaria); marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) and smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris). Adult common toads (Bufo bufo) were observed in reedbed habitat at Ham Wall but were not encountered on systematic surveys. The project was led by RSPB with 50% funding from Natural England via the Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund and working in partnership with other partners such as Wildlife Trusts, The National Trust and independent ecological contractors.