Donal Hickey: Play your part in frog survey

They provide an insight into the quality or status of habitat just by their presence alone

Common European frog. Survey frog sightings can be sent online to the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.

Around now, frogs are emerging from winter hiding places and heading towards spawning grounds. You might even hear males croaking, or see them fight among themselves as they compete for female attention.

There’s a danger that the common frog might be dismissed as just that. But there’s nothing really common about this fascinating wild creature which is so much part of our wetlands.