Donal Hickey: Local groups join forces to save natterjack toad

The area around Lough Gill, a key breeding site for the endangered natterjack, was threatened by the invasive pygmyweed

The endangered natterjack toad is so-called because of the repetitive, rasping noise it makes.

IT'S always heartening to hear good news of action by local people to protect their own environment, especially in a time of so much negativity about such matters.

The endangered natterjack toad — so-called because of the repetitive, rasping noise it makes — is at the centre of our story, which is focused on Lough Gill, an important coastal lagoon, and part of the Tralee Bay and Maharees Peninsula region, Co Kerry.