The National Amphibian Survey is an opportunity to spend time in nature, observe wild amphibians, practice your amphibian-spotting and identification skills, and advance our understanding of how amphibian populations in Britain are faring and what can be done to improve their status. The survey is one of a number of surveys and projects that make up ARC’s National Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring Programme. It uses a standardised protocol to collect data that are suitable for use in a range of applications relevant to species and habitat conservation. For example, assessing amphibian population trends and conservation status at different spatial scales, mapping species distributions, guiding habitat management and informing planning decisions. The survey focuses on our five widespread amphibian species (common frog, common toad, smooth newt, palmate newt, and great crested newt), but surveyors are encouraged to record any other species observed.

The survey takes place at a waterbody such as a pond or ditch. Surveyors choose to survey frogs and toads (four visits during February and March),  newts (four visits during April and May), or both (six visits between February and May). These timings are aligned to the main periods of breeding activity, with frogs and toads tending to breed earlier in the year than newts. To help us build a picture of how things are changing over time, the intention is for these surveys to be repeated in the same locations year on year. By doing this across a network of sites nationally, we can better understand the status and trends of these species.

During a survey visit, surveyors can use one or more methods to find amphibians. All of the target amphibian species can be detected using visual searches during the day, or night-time searches with a torch. For newts, surveyors can also look for newt eggs folded in individual leaves, or use a pond net around the waterbody margins. A combination of these methods increases the chances of finding all species that are present.

In addition to looking for amphibians, we also ask our surveyors to carry out one habitat assessment at their waterbody each year. This is a simple assessment that helps us to understand the characteristics and condition of the waterbody and the surrounding area. These data can then be used to help explain why species may be present, absent, or variable in numbers.

To take part in the National Amphibian Survey, you need to be confident in identifying the amphibian species you are focusing on. If great crested newts are present, you will need to have undertaken relevant training and be accredited on an appropriate licence such as ARC’s organisational protected species licence. Online training materials will be made available to new survey volunteers. 

If you think you might be interested in taking part in the National Amphibian Survey or any other ARC surveys, please visit our website: www.arc-trust.org/national-amphibian-survey for more information, including detailed survey protocols. You can sign up as an ARC volunteer by completing our online volunteer registration form. For any other questions get in touch with us at [email protected].

Sign up

---

Watch a recording of our recent online training session "Recording frogs and toads in the National Amphibian Survey" below:

You can find other videos related to ARC’s National Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring Programme in our dedicated YouTube Playlist.