Marsh Frog in NW London?

[Tiggrx]

I was walking on Hampstead Heath, London yesterday and heard a frog calling loudly from one of the Seven Sisters Ponds. Having listened to a few recordings online I am fairly sure that it was a Marsh Frog.

However, I have been unable to find any references to Marsh Frog colonies in this area (I did find reference to Edible Frogs in the 1940's) and wondered if anyone knew if a colony does exist there.

Thanks
Aaron

[RobSutton]

I don't know the Geography of London but I've come across a few locations via an article in British Wildlife (Volume 14 Number 4 2003 pages 260-269) which mentions Marsh Frog from Staines Reservoir, Kempton Park Racecourse, London Wetland Centre, Birdbrook Nature Reserve and in the Lee Valley Navigation. Also Water Frog from Richmond Park, Bushey Park, River Longford and River Crane. I don't know if any of these are remotely close to Hampstead Heath.

It's an interesting article if you can hold of it, if you can't I'm sure I could copy it for you.

[Tiggrx]

Thanks for the info Rob - I must have that article somewhere - I shall seek it out. Unfortunately none of those sites are in the right area.

[Adam Cheeseman]

I don't know about the Hampstead Heath area but the Marsh Frog group of species is all over the place in southern London. Also present here in West Molesey, northwest Surrey, so fairly widespread and undoubtedly will continue its NW spread across the region.

Cheers,

Adam

[Jason Green]

I agree - as it's in all those locations Rob and Adam said, then I don't doubt it could be there too. Perhaps now you're more familiar with the call now, you could get back and look again? You may get a photo this time!

[aeshna5]

There was a recent London Natural History Society reptile/amphibia meet on HH (I didn't get to go) + am pretty sure Marsh Frogs were recorded.

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

I don't know about the Hampstead Heath area but the Marsh Frog group of species is all over the place in southern London. Also present here in West Molesey, northwest Surrey, so fairly widespread and undoubtedly will continue its NW spread across the region.

Yes, I expect they will become more familiar. I only heard the one so it is possible it was a lone pioneer, rather than part of a population

Originally Posted by Jason Green

I agree - as it's in all those locations Rob and Adam said, then I don't doubt it could be there too. Perhaps now you're more familiar with the call now, you could get back and look again? You may get a photo this time!

Seeing it at all would be a good start. The pond had a fence all around it, so I couldn't get close at all - maybe next time!

Originally Posted by aeshna5

There was a recent London Natural History Society reptile/amphibia meet on HH (I didn't get to go) + am pretty sure Marsh Frogs were recorded.

Thanks Aeshna, good to know!