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atest press release from Wicklow County Council, issued on Friday, March 6th 2026…

Wicklow County Council is encouraging members of the public to take part in the 2026 Hop To It Frog Survey, Ireland’s longest running frog monitoring initiative, coordinated by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council since 1997.

The common frog is Ireland’s only frog species and, despite its name, the common frog (Rana temporaria) is listed as a vulnerable species across Europe. It is legally protected under the European Union Habitats Directive and the Irish Wildlife Act. Frogs are also considered biological indicators of environmental health, as their smooth, moist skin is highly sensitive to pollution. Their presence or absence in an area can tell us a great deal about local environmental quality.

Annual monitoring of the distribution and population of the common frog supports national conservation efforts and contributes to the implementation of the County Wicklow Biodiversity Action Plan, which seeks to strengthen ecological networks and improve habitat quality across the county.

In 2025, only 30 records were received from County Wicklow. Wicklow County Council is encouraging residents to help build a clearer picture of frog populations locally by submitting observations in 2026.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan said, “Citizen science plays a vital role in protecting biodiversity in Wicklow. By taking part in the ‘Hop To It Frog’ Survey, people can contribute directly to the protection of a species that is part of our shared natural heritage. I would encourage families, schools and community groups to get involved.”

Theresa O’Brien, Director of Services Wicklow County Council said, “Monitoring species such as the common frog helps inform how we plan and manage our landscapes. The information gathered through this survey supports the objectives of our Biodiversity Action Plan and helps us better understand the health of our local environment.”

Members of the public are invited to become citizen scientists and take part in the survey. If you observe any stage of the common frog lifecycle, including frog spawn, tadpoles, froglets or adult frogs in gardens or in the wider community, you can submit your observation to the Irish Peatland Conservation Council at www.ipcc.ie, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 045860133. Observations can also be submitted online to the National Biodiversity Data Centre here.

Wicklow County Council encourages people across the county to Hop To It in 2026 and help improve our understanding of this much-loved species.