Frog seen at RSPB Rainham Marshes

[bendog]

Since the sun was shining we went to the RSPB Site at Rainham Marshes. As we were walking past a stream these incredible sounds started up. On looking closer, this is what we saw was making the noise. I have no idea what type of frog it was but a couple of these in full voice was incredibly loud.

[Wild-Woman]

This is a Marsh Frog. There are many at Rainham Marshes and along the Thames estuary creeks.They were an introduced species that have been highly successful. Sadly where the Marsh frogs are, you don't find many Common Frogs. They are much bigger than our species and make as 'laughing' sound that is characteristic.
I believe, unless others have different information, they were originally introduced for food.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

This is a Marsh Frog. There are many at Rainham Marshes and along the Thames estuary creeks.They were an introduced species that have been highly successful. Sadly where the Marsh frogs are, you don't find many Common Frogs. They are much bigger than our species and make as 'laughing' sound that is characteristic.
I believe, unless others have different information, they were originally introduced for food.

I believe they were introduced as ornamental frogs + have never seen literature that suggests they were introduced as food. The original introduction was of 12 of these frogs on Walland Marsh in 1935 to a pond, from which they spread.

Some of the west London populations may have arisen from illegal stock confiscated at Heathrow + then released nearby.

There is debate as to whether they have much impact on Common Frogs as the 2 species often have different habitat preferences, though Marsh Frogs will certainly take Common Frog tadpoles.

At the London Wetland Centre we have both species + both are doing very well.

On a visit to Rainham last year we saw an incredible large turquoise coloured Marsh Frog, which I didn't see again on a visit last weekend.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Ye definately a marsh frog. I ve seen these frogs at Rainham everytime Ive been down there (except when I went in January). Despite trying Ive never got a decent one of one with its vocal sacs inflated though so well done!

Ive you look around you may see a turquoise coloured and even a yellow coloured marsh frog.

The whole common vs marsh frog is interesting. Someone I spoke to at Rainham said he used to sneak on to it when it was military training ground and it was full of common frogs but now there are none. This guy seemed to know his herps but seemed 'quite a character.' Even if he was correct the habitat has changed a lot over the years and I imagine the RSPB have made it more bird friendly (less small ponds, more larger marsh frog friendly lakes) and its possibly more brackish, which favours the marshies. Its a subject that needs more research