Frog spawn ‘hanging on by a thread’ discovered in illegal dumping spot in Tallaght
By Hayden Moore
WHILE out recording spawn populations, local conservationist Collie Ennis came across frog spawn that is ‘hanging on by a thread’ in an area used as an illegal dumping ground in Tallaght.
Right in the heart of Tallaght, the spawn was found in a pond that was once a pristine area for local amphibians to breed and develop their young.
The illegal dumping ground where conservationist Collie Ennis found the frog spawn.
Speaking to The Echo, Collie walked us through how he found the spawn in a sad environment littered with tires, a Christmas tree, traffic cone and other plastics.
“I’m a member of the Herpetological Society and it’s my job to monitor the urban populations of spawn,” he said.
“I was out counting population numbers, making sure they were healthy and generally just keeping an eye on them.
“I found that frog spawn right in the heart of Tallaght surrounded by all this crap, it’s sad to see them there hanging on by a thread.”
These tires were found within six metres of the pond where the frog spawn was found ‘hanging on by a thread’.
Although Collie did get a team of students together to help restore the area, the science officer with the Herpetological Society insists that more has to be done to help the native wildlife.
“I really want to push building ponds around Tallaght for families to come visit so that they can get in touch with the nature around them, it could be a great amenity” explained Mr Ennis.
Plastics, a Christmas tree and an assortment of other rubish found at the site.
“There is no point in sitting at home watching Attenbourough on the telly saying ‘oh that’s terrible, something needs to be done about that’.
“It starts at home, do something to hang on to the wildlife native to your own area.”
With population numbers of frogs, newts and lizards native to Tallaght dwindling due to a constantly expanding urban enviroment, Collie offered up some tips as to how locals can help preserve and “live among the animals rather than pushing them out.”
“Much like a bird feeder, you can sink a bucket into the ground out your back and fill it with water for frogs and that to lay their spawn.
Collie with a frog at home.
“If you just put it flush to the ground with some logs and rocks around it for access and plant in the middle, you’d be surprised what it will attract.
“Also, out your back if you have grass, just leave a section of it uncut so that butterflies, bees, frogs and newts can sit in it.
“I’m looking for community groups around Tallaght who want to help us build some ponds because we have the expertise, it’s just the man power that we’re missing.”
Those looking to give Collie a hand in getting the ball rolling in the construction of some local amphibian friendly ponds, can contact Collie Ennis or the Herpetological Society of Ireland.
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