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As occurred last year the first common frogs appeared in our pond at Slingsby on 6th March and spawned soon afterwards. By 10th there were at least 50 pairs present, but the water levels were low and, with little rain present, most of the spawn dried out. Frogs were present at Sykes House, but no spawning was noted. By contrast, much spawn was seen in ponds around Gilling, especially in the woodland top ponds. Spawn was also recorded at Hovingham on 11th. Gill Smith then reported lots of newly metamorphosed froglets by 6th July. The common toad bred successfully in our pond, with numerous toadlets being present by 13th August. Toads were present in Andrea Cooper’s garden in Kirkbymoorside, with lots of the year’s young on 27th July onwards. Other records for this species were from Pickering Low Carr Farm and Sykes House. Smooth newts appeared in our pond in Slingsby on 24th March, and at a meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union on 9th August at Rudland both the smooth and the palmate newt were identified in the Sykes House pond.

Slow worm and viviparous lizard were recorded from Sykes House, especially on 9th August, when three lizards were seen. Unlike most years, no adders were seen at Rudland.

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