Frog and toad sightings 'drying up', say conservationists
The RSPB's wildlife survey of 10,357 gardens show frog and toad sightings have dropped.
Sightings of frogs and toads in Scotland are declining, according to a garden survey by a conservation group.
The RSPB's wildlife survey, part of the organisation's Big Garden Birdwatch, show frog and toad sightings have dropped.
Frogs have been seen in more than 60% of gardens across Scotland and were seen at least monthly in over a quarter of gardens.
But the wildlife survey, which analysed 10,357 gardens in Scotland, found regular amphibian sightings, had fallen by 5% since 2014 when it was last conducted.
This pattern was similar for toads who were seen in 17% of outdoor spaces on a monthly basis, down from 25% four years ago.
James Silvey, species and habitats officer at RSPB Scotland said: "Many of us may have childhood memories of watching tadpoles swimming about in ponds or spotting toads hidden away under rocks - early encounters with nature often stay with us for a lifetime.
"Sadly, such experiences are becoming less common with children spending less time outdoors.
"As frog and toads are amphibians they need a nearby source of water close to their homes to survive.
"It's very easy to give them a helping hand by creating a small pond, or using a washing up bowl to make a pool away from sunlight and well covered with plants."
Despite the UK population suffering widespread declines in recent decades, 62% of people in Scotland spotted a hedgehog in their gardens over the past year.
Foxes remained one of the other most common garden visitors with one being seen in 70% of our gardens and outdoor spaces.
Across the UK just 6% of those taking part had seen a red squirrel in the past year.
The figure in Scotland, however, was far higher at 37%.
Big Garden Birdwatch is the world's largest garden wildlife survey and happens annually on the last weekend in January.