Common Toad Photography

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Common Toad Bufo bufo

Isle of Lewis

A very brief trip to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides for work.  Unfortunately there was little time for wildlife viewing or photography.  However, I did manage a brief visit to my favourite spot one evening at sunset.  A good viewpoint sits high on the bend of a small track, overlooking Loch Seaforth, flanked by steep mountains on both sides.  It's stunning and is one of my favourite places.


Red deer stags

Shortly after arriving and switching off the engine, a juvenile white-tailed eagle flapped laboriously up the valley.  Scanning the shoreline revealed an adult white-tailed eagle sitting on a large boulder at the tip of a headland.  An otter was fishing just a few feet away and the eagles head turned slowly to monitor the otters progress.  I was hoping the otter would catch something.  Interested to see the eagles reaction.  Alas it didn't and it was time to depart. The following day, on the way back to airport, I saw several red deer, raven, and the ubiquitous oystercatcher.   

Loch Seaforth



Christchurch Harbour - Peregrine and Otter Spraint

On the Stour at Christchurch Harbour

I joined my girlfriends family today for the maiden voyage on her Dad's new boat.  Ian has been restoring the boat for months so today was pretty exciting. We'd just boarded the vessel and whilst brushing 'dirt' off the seats I suddenly realised I was staring at a big pile of otter spraint! The boat hasn't been covered with tarpaulin and the cavities in the bow of the boat had been providing a nice shelter for an otter.


The trip was a quick one,as the light was fading, but we had great views of peregrine falcon perched on a fence post close to the shore at Stanpit Marsh.  I'm looking forward to a bit of fishing and otter spotting in the summer!





Toads on Roads

Spring is fast approaching in Kent and with the recent mild wet weather, toads have started their annual migration towards breeding ponds. In Paddock Wood toads have always been common, but every year huge numbers die on the roads. Particularly because they struggle to climb steep kerb stones. This is happening throughout the UK and toad numbers are rapidly disappearing from previous strongholds.

I've been out and about with my bucket and torch to help as many toads as possible cross the roads safely. This season, the migration is just starting but despite helping 31 toads to reach the breeding ponds, I've sadly already seen plenty of squashed toads.

The charity Froglife runs a National 'toads on roads' campaign which provides advice and support for volunteers, to help reverse the decline in our toad population. Anyone wanting to get involved should visit http://www.froglife.org/toadsonroads/



Releasing the collected toads at a nearby breeding site