Frogs spring into action earlier than usual

It’s that time of the year — the common frog might become a more common sight on our roads, with the increased risk that many will get squashed under car and truck wheels.

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) said damp spring evenings likely mean more migrating frogs coming to a sticky end on rural roads, but said motorists can do little about it — the council does not advise taking any evasive action.

The common frog is the only species of frog found in Ireland and is listed as an internationally important species. They also enjoy protection under the EU Habitats Directive and the Irish Wildlife Act.

According to Nuala Madigan, IPCC’s education officer, even though there have been huge changes to their natural habitat over the past century, the common frog is still in good health, with the ongoing Hop To It frog survey showing they are widespread.

That is despite the sometimes extreme weather of recent years, from the freezing of spawning pools last March due to the Beast from the East to the drought of last summer.

Ms Madigan said the IPCC has already received reports from Cork and Kerry of frogs spawning as early as January this year, adding: “They find a way.”

According to the IPCC, half of Ireland’s amphibian wetlands have been lost to drainage, industrial peat extraction, pollution, and natural senescence in the past century and that, alongside pollution, UV radiation and pets pose threats to the frog, as well as the perils of the roads.

“During a few warm, damp nights in spring, thousands of amphibians follow traditional migration routes on their way to spawning ponds,” said the IPCC.

“Unfortunately, hundreds can be squashed and killed by traffic on intervening roads as they make for a suitable pond.”

Ms Madigan said: “We would not be asking any motorist to stop in case they run over a frog. I don’t think we are going to see them going across the M50 or the M7.”

However, she said maybe rural motorists might consider avoiding smaller damp routes where frogs are more likely to cross at this time of the year.

The most recent data gathered by the IPCC through its survey shows that 82% of frogs live in the countryside but 17% live in the suburbs and 1% are found in the inner city.