Frogs play an important role in our lives; they are great pest controllers in our gardens and on farms by eating slugs, worms and flies, while otters and herons rely on frogs to supplement their diets.
Ireland has only one native frog species, the common frog, Rana temporaria. It is listed as an internationally important species and is protected under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Irish Wildlife Act (1976, amended 2000).
The Irish Wildlife Trust Cork Branch is conducting a survey in rural and urban areas of County Cork to learn more about the distribution and preferred habitats of the Common frog. The surveying will start in spring when frogs start to spawn and continue through each stage of the frogs’ development, finishing in Autumn when frogs have mated and rest up for the winter.
The group is asking for volunteers to help with the survey, and are holding free training sessions at four locations around the county: Fermoy, Bantry, Fota Wildlife Park and Millstreet. It is only necessary for volunteers to attend one training session, which will help them to understand all aspects of safe and correct surveying techniques. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of each session plus there will be support for volunteers throughout the survey period.
This is an opportunity for volunteers to learn a new skills, meet like-minded people and take part in an important project. It is open to everyone and is free to attend, but parents do need to accompany young children throughout the survey process.
The Cork frog survey is funded by Fota Wildlife Park and is managed by the Cork Branch of the Irish Wildlife Trust.
Training sessions are listed below:
- Sunday 23rd Feb 3:00-5:30pm at Fota Wildlife Park, Carraigtwohill, County Cork.
- Monday 24th Feb 6:30-8:00pm in Millstreet Enterprise Centre, The Square, Millstreet, County Cork.
- Monday 3rd March. Fermoy 7:00-8.30pm in Fermoy Community Resource Centre, 42 McCurtain St, Fermoy, County Cork.
- Tuesday 4th March. 7:00-8.30pm in Bantry Resource Centre, West Cork development partnership, Main street, Bantry, County Cork.
To reserve a place or for further information contact: Email:[email protected] or ring Katriona on 0872106373
