Toad of Lode Hall

Well, actually Toads of Anglesey Abbey. Common Toad (Bufo bufo) spawning in the bird-hide pond on the National Trust site in Lode, Cambridgeshire. Note, the toad spawn looks like a necklace of black beads on a string, whereas frogspawn forms in clumps. That said, there’s no real distinction between toads and frogs. Toads are just a type of frog (Bufonidae), just as butterflies are a type of moth.

These photos were taken at NT Anglesey Abbey on 21st March 2019. The spawning may well be over by now. There was also a Water Rail present on the opposite side of the pond.