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Frogs and toads vanishing in Britain as garden ponds fall out of fashion

The common garden frog ''Rana temporaria'' sat on the edge of a stone water bath in a garden - © Tim Gainey / Alamy
The common garden frog ''Rana temporaria'' sat on the edge of a stone water bath in a garden - © Tim Gainey / Alamy

Frogs and toads are vanishing in Britain because garden ponds have fallen out of fashion, a new report suggests.

The RSPB said information gathered from its annual Big Garden Birdwatch, which also asks people about what other wildlife they see in their gardens, showed a decline in sightings of the amphibians since 2014.

Frogs are the most commonly-seen wild visitor to gardens other than birds, spotted in more than three-quarters of backyards at some point in the last year, according to the survey, which includes results from 174,000 gardens.

But while they were seen at least monthly in 39 per cent of outside spaces in the last year, the figure is down from 46 per cent in 2014, the last time they were included in the survey.

It is a similar story for toads, which were seen in 20 per cent of gardens and outdoor spaces, down from 28 per cent four years ago.

Homebuilders no longer include ponds in garden plans  - Credit: RSPB
Homebuilders no longer include ponds in garden plans Credit: RSPB

The charity said ponds had fallen out fashion with homeowners and housebuilders no longer incorporated them into their garden plans.

Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientist said: “Most people remember seeing tadpoles at the local pond or a toad emerging from under a rock while they were growing up - these first experiences with nature stay with us forever.

"Unfortunately, the sights and sounds of wildlife that were once common to us are sadly becoming more mysterious.

"Creating a small pond in your garden, or a pool using a washing-up bowl, is so simple to do and could make all the difference."

The days of collecting frogspawn may be coming to an end for youngsters  - Credit: RSPB
The days of collecting frogspawn may be coming to an end for youngsters Credit: RSPB

Dr Karen Haysom, from wildlife charity Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, said: "Frogs and toads face many pressures including the loss of habitat like ponds.

"Helping these fascinating creatures by making wildlife habitat in your garden, or taking part in species recording and monitoring schemes so we understand how nature is faring, is fun and can make a difference."

Other results about wildlife reported as part of the Big Garden Birdwatch survey show an increase in sightings of hedgehogs compared with last year - seen in almost two-thirds of gardens at least once in the year.

Foxes also continue to be commonly seen in gardens, spotted in almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of outdoor spaces by people taking part in the survey.