The re-introduction of the rare natterjack toad to the North Wales coast has surpassed all expectations say the Countryside Council for Wales.
Toads from Merseyside have re-populated former strongholds in sand dunes around Talacre, with the help of The Herpetological Conservation Trust. Latest counts suggest that around 100 of these golden eyed amphibians, with the distinctive yellow stripe down their backs, now live near this popular tourist beach.
Natterjack toads were last recorded on the North Wales coast during the 1960s, but they died out due to the loss of breeding and feeding areas because of building and tourist development pressure and human disturbance.
But as part of an UK recovery project, partly funded by CCW and its English equivalent English Nature, the toads have been reintroduced to North East Wales.
The natterjack toad is vulnerable across Europe, and is protected under UK and European law. Adult toads like to burrow in soft sand where they hide at daytime and hibernate in winter. Visitors to the area may be able to hear the loud rasping call of the male during the breeding season.