Sandscale Haws: 40th birthday toad patrol
from The Morecambe Bay Podcast Hosted by Nigel Thompson
Sandscale Haws at Roanhead supports a wealth of wildlife and with magnificent views across the Duddon Estuary onto the Lakeland Fells on a fine day it's idyllic. 40 years ago the National Trust became custodians of the national nature reserve. It's home to a quarter of the UK's population of rare natterjack toads and 2024 marks a momentous anniversary. Over the next few weeks there are opportunities to take part in walks at dusk to see and hear these amazing amphibians. In this episode enjoy the sounds of the reserve as I take an evening trip with National Trust wardens Darren and Emily and a few hardy souls on a spring toad patrol. Notes: Start; birdsong and wind blowing through the grass welcome us to the reserve 1'30" Darren Mason, National Trust warden explains more about the work to maintain the site, why toads have made it home and how they're thriving in this part of Cumbria. 6mins We head out with a small group keen to see natterjack toads. 7mins Darren explains how erosion affects the coastline 10mins We hear how storm can bring some benefits to the sand dune system 13'29" Emily points out strings of toad eggs as the amphibians prove to be elusive! 14'19" Our first toad! 15'24" One visitor had travelled from Suffolk to experience toads at Sandscale 16'40" Drumming snipe 17'19" Toads calling! Thanks to Darren, Emily and the National Trust team in south Cumbria.
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