Natterjack toads have begun to emerge for mating season.
Sefton Council said: “Natterjack Toads emerged from hibernation along the Sefton coast on Wednesday night.
“It’s always great to see them waking up, but these iconic rare amphibians need looking after if future generations are to enjoy their strange song.
“Please keep dogs out of all pools & flooded areas in the dunes as this threatened – and protected – species begins its breeding cycle.
Thank you.”
The habitat of the toad in the UK is now almost completely confined to coastal areas, after loss due to human overpopulation, reduction in habitable coast from construction of dykes and seawalls and acidification of aquatic habitat from acid rain and other pollution.
Breeding pools are essential for the preservation of the toad, and water tables in Sefton have not always been high enough each year for these to appear. However the toad only needs to breed once every four or five years to sustain population levels.
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