Amphibians, Dew Ponds & Regenerative Farming at Cholderton Estate
March is a month of quiet transformation. The days lengthen, the soil stirs, and nature’s hidden inhabitants begin to emerge. Among these are frogs and toads, creatures that have been part of Britain’s rural landscape for millennia. Their return each spring is a reassuring reminder of the rhythms of the natural world, yet modern farming has made life increasingly difficult for them.
At Cholderton Estate, we believe that farming should work in harmony with nature, not against it. That’s why we’re restoring habitats like ponds and wetlands, helping amphibians reclaim their rightful place in the countryside.
The Awakening of the Toads
While we are busy with lambing in February, the ponds begin coming to life too. Late-night walks to the lambing shed are tentative with toads and frogs crossing the path, making their way to water, needing to be gently lifted to safety before vehicles pass. This year though, there were none. Had we lost them to disease? Or to the unseen reach of pesticides drifting in from beyond the estate’s organic land?
Then, on the 21st of February, a shift in the weather brought warmth and dampness. That night, 94 toads were counted crossing a short stretch of track. The pond, quiet for weeks, suddenly filled with croaking males, each calling for a mate. Frogspawn soon followed, more than 150 floating clusters, proof that the cycle was, at last, beginning again.
Dew Ponds: The Forgotten Lifeline of the Downs
Ponds were once a familiar feature on every farm, providing essential water for livestock and wildlife. In the drive for intensive agriculture, many have been drained, filled, or left to silt up. For amphibians, this has been disastrous. Without fish-free ponds, they have nowhere safe to breed.
On the chalk downlands, where natural water sources are scarce, farmers once dug dew ponds; shallow basins designed to collect rainfall and mist. Some of these date back to the Bronze Age, offering water to grazing animals and sanctuary for breeding frogs and toads. But today, most are dry, forgotten depressions, their role in the landscape erased.
At Cholderton Estate, we have been working to restore these lost habitats. A Victorian dew pond, once cracked and barren, has been lined and refilled, its sloping edges planted with reeds, rushes, and wildflowers. Fish have not been introduced, allowing it to remain a safe haven for amphibians. Now, on summer evenings, swallows and house martins skim across its surface, while dragonflies in brilliant lapis blue and gleaming emerald hover and duel in the golden light
More Than Just a Pond
Restoring a pond is about more than just water. The land surrounding it must also be protected. Here at Cholderton, we only cut the rough grass once a year, in winter, and always by hand. This provides a safe refuge for thousands of young toads and frogs, giving them time to grow strong before venturing further afield.
In return, these amphibians help sustain the balance of the farm. Toads feast on slugs, frogs control insects, and their very presence signals a healthy, functioning ecosystem. Industrial farming, reliant on chemicals to replace natural processes, has stripped them from the land. On an organic, regenerative farm however, they thrive.
Experience the Magic for Yourself
Spring is a time for quiet observation, for slowing down and noticing the small wonders that make up the countryside. Here at Cholderton Estate, our farm walks offer a chance to witness this rebirth. To stand by the pond at dusk and hear the first calls of returning toads, to watch swallows dance above the water, to feel a deeper connection with the land and its rhythms.
By staying with us, you’re not just enjoying the peace of the countryside. You’re supporting a future where farming and nature exist in harmony.
This March, take a walk on the wild side and rediscover the beauty of Britain’s lost ponds. Come and stay at Cholderton Estate where every step is part of a story of renewal.