Mammals and Amphibians - Early Spring

Rabbits

Not the rarest of mammals we know, but at this time of year, without extensive new vegetation growth to hind behind yet they are easy to spot. The comparatively late time for dawn (compared to the summer months) means you are more likely to be up and about closer to dawn when rabbits will be feeding in the open whilst it's still relatively quiet. Young children love to see rabbits, so if you get woken early take a walk, rather than turning on CBeebies, and you can all enjoy the sights and sounds of the early morning
Top Spots
Any area with lighter soils and a bit of slope to let the rabbits burrow with more ease. Try Ely Common (TL 553 807 or N+52 24' 11" E+0 16' 51"), the grassed area between the Environment Agency offices and Roswell Pits (TL 551 806 or N+52 24' 7" E+0 16' 43") or Qua Fen (TL 597 743 or N+52 20' 33" E+0 20' 30") and East Fen Commons (TL 601 732 or N+52 20' 2" E+0 20' 53") at Soham

Common Frogs

Seeing a frog at this time of year may require a bit of nocturnal, or at least early evening activity with a torch. Common Frogs will be starting to move from their hibernacula to their chosen breeding pond. Try looking on a warmer spring evening, a less windy one with less ruffling of the water by the wind is better as the Frogs' movements will be more easily spotted. Look at the vegetation around the pond as they may be about there as well
Top Spots
We're getting the GeoCache information, so check for updates regularly, or try your local pond (put an entry on the sightings page if you find some!). We will be looking at the ponds on the meadows next to the River Ouse in Ely, close to Fen Rivers Way (TL 554 804 or N+52 23' 59" E+0 17' 4")

Smooth Newts

More commonly occurring in the UK, than Palmate or Great Crested Newts, Smooth Newts grow to about 4 inches (10 centimetres) in length as adults. As their name suggests they are smoother in texture than other newts. Browny-green with dark spots and an orange belly. The Froglife website (see right) has lots of information on amphibians, and has good guide on how to tell a Smooth from a Palmate Newt. They only come up for air every few minutes so you'll need to sit quietly for a while as move around fairly gently, or just seem to hang in the water (apart from their mating dance which is fairly active)
Top Spots
We're getting the GeoCache information, so check for updates regularly. Whilst they can be seen during the day, you are more likely to see them during dusk or at night. You'll need to find a pond without any fish, a natural predator, and with plenty of vegetation around the edge which the newts use as cover to prevent predation by birds. It takes ten to twenty minute to get your eye 'in', but once you've found your first it becomes much easier