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Hop to it - Irish Frog Survey

For Release January 26th 2005

HOP TO IT - IRISH FROG SURVEY

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) are undertaking a major
survey of the Common Frog (Rana temporaria) to gather information on their
distribution in Ireland. The survey covers every county in Ireland and
includes sightings of frog spawn, tadpoles, froglets and adult frogs. For
those who wish to take part, survey cards are available at www.ipcc.ie or
they can be obtained directy from IPCC, Bog of Allen Nature Centre,
Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare.

This major survey of the distribution of the common frog in Ireland started
in 1997 and since then two reports on the results have been published. The
IPCC are keen to keep the records coming in so that the information on the
population distribution can be kept up to date.

IPCC's Conservation Officer, Caroline Hurley, stated that "Frogs are
barometers of environmental health and much loved creatures of wetlands.
However, they are in decline throughout the world as they are threatened by
drainage of their wetland habitats, exposure to chemical pollutants and road
deaths. It is important that we gather baseline information on the
distribution of the Common Frog in Ireland so that we can monitor any
changes in their distribution".

The results of the survey to date show that the Common Frog is widespread
throughout the island of Ireland. However, there are some areas that are
poorly represented so far, particularly south Donegal, East Galway, East
Clare and Antrim. If you see frogs in any of these areas, be sure to send in
your records to be added to the survey database.

"The response so far in the survey has been fantastic. We received about
3,000 records in 2003. We would be delighted if recorders from previous
years would continue to send in records to us and we would also welcome new
recorders. We have already received a record of frog spawn from January 3rd
so it's time to keep eyes and ears open for mating frogs".

The survey cards are quite straightforward, you don't have to be a
herpetologist to fill them out. Basic information such as location of frog
site, number of frogs seen and the type of habitat present should be
recorded on the cards. So Hop to It and record the life cycle of frogs in
your area. Survey cards should be returned to 'Hop to It Survey', IPCC, Bog
of Allen Nature Centre, Lullyumore, Rathangan, Co, Kildare or they can be
e-mailed to bogs@ipcc.ie. For more information check out www.ipcc.ie.

ENDS