30/10/2008 – Western Leopard Toad update;
The Leopard Toads bred in August with some breeding movement continuing until early October. The final results from the toad census were 847 toads saved and 149 roadkills, which works out at roughly one in every six toads recorded was dead.
Now, from late November to early December, the toadlet stock will emerge from the sites crossing roads and many other obstacles to seek out their foraging habitat.
These toadlets typically leave the site in mass, on a sunny morning
(06h00 – 09h00), dispersing in every direction.
Unfortunately, based on my job specifications, I am not allowed to continue with the toad project until April of next year. I am thus looking for volunteers to assist in coordinating sites for me so we can support these toadlets when they move.
If you are interested reply to this email and I will contact you with further information. The sites are in the following areas:
Bergvliet
Frogmore Estate
Hazelwood Park, Sun Valley
Kirstenhof – Raapkraal Rd
Kirstenhof – Orange Rd
Dennendal
Steenberg
Soetvlei, Sweet Valley
Klein Wassenaar (Orchard Village)
Hout Bay
Kommetjie
Fish Hoek
Glen Cairn
Little Princess Vlei, Elfindale
Mark Day EXTENSION OFFICER Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association / City of Cape Town Southern Nature Reserves
WLT Hotline: For any enquiries or information on toad movement, call me on 082 516 3602. Alternatively you can leave a message at Rondevlei Nature Reserve on 021 706 7533.
08/10/2008 – Western Leopard Toads
have started calling again in small numbers!!
Mark Day reports "It appears that the strange weather has upset more than just our October plans.
In Lakeside at the end of Rutter Road a small number of males were heard calling
from the 28th September until about the 2nd October.
They are currently calling at Rondevlei Nature Reserve and Die Oog in Bergvleit (Pelkalmy & Lakeview Rd).
These are not large numbers of toads so it is not reasonable to call out avolunteer party, but if you are interested, you can visit one of these areas to
investigate further for yourself. If you hear or know of any other breeding sites
where you have heard toads call over the last week we would like to know so
contact me in that regard. If breeding does take place then it may be the latest
documented record yet!
Stay tuned for further leopard toad related volunteer drives coming soon".
09/09/2008 – Big Momma becomes an accident statistic on the bummpy road to love.
photograph by Maya Beukes
Read what happened to Big Mamma.
September 2008 - These frogs were found at Clement Park, Muizenberg.
Cape Sand Frog in its scrape nest. Arum Lily Frog on a lily.
On a finger to show the size.
August 2008 - The Western Leopard Toad (WLT) hotline - call Mark Day on 082 516 3602 or at Rondevlei Nature Reserve on 021 706 7533.
Report any
movements, calling or sightings to Mark, he is the Conservation Committee
member co-ordinating all WLT census information.
He has forms which will
help capture data for reference studies at SANBI.
Print and use the forms below and read the information sheet as well.
|
Observation forms |
page 2 | Information sheet | page 1 |
June 2008 – Rhian Meats
submitted this record to SARCA (Southern African Reptile
Conservation Accessment) at SANBI (South African Biodiversity
Institute).
If you find a leopard toad please use some form of scale - a ruler, tape
measure, box of matches, camera lens cap, ball point pen, etc as close
to the frog as possible. This to aid the scientists who will evaluate
the submission.
photograph by Rhian Meats
Western Leopard Toad at Norfolk Park Suretha van Rooyen found this specimum in June 2008.
June 2008 – What have you done to save a Leopard Toad?
See below how easy it is to make your swimming pool toad friendly and most small creatures that can swim, will stand a chance of not drowning in your pool if they can get to the side.
Suzie has made simple floating toad savers which can also save all creatures from drowning should they fall into the swimming pool.
photograph by Suzie Jirachareomkul
Read how to make a "Leopard Toad Saver"
April 2008 – Alison Brown found this Leopard Toad on Eastlake Island, Marina da Gama.
photograph by Alison Brown
February 2008 – Rescued and relocated to the Kenilworth Race Course Nature Reserve.
photographs by Maya Beukes
This large female specimen (weighed 240grams) was found in a garden off Broad Road, Wynberg.
