A local resident has observed what appears to be an alarming decline in the number of amphibians located in the vicinity of Embsay Reservoir.

“…when we first moved here seven years ago there would be one or two particular mornings when there were literally hundreds of frogs and/or toads mating or looking for a mate on the road, the dam road and in the water. Some four years ago now I must have counted over 100 in the shallows of the reservoir before I actually gave up because there were so many. However over recent years there have been fewer and fewer and I admit this year to be somewhat distressed when on our walk to see many dead animals in the water. Whether they had been there for some time or not I do not know but in may instances their back limbs seemed to have dissolved away. One female had started to lay her eggs before dying and another was in the shallows again its back legs seem to have gone.”

This disturbing description appears to point to a particular problem so we are asking for your help to see if there’s anything that can be done to investigate further.

If you have any observations of your own regarding the numbers or health of the amphibians that inhabit the reservoir we would like to hear from you. You can contact us via the website at: embsayandeastbypost@gmail.com or Andrew Wilson at andrew.wilson25@btinternet.com