The toads of Barton Fields

Barton fields is a small nature reserve to the east of Abingdon.  Managed by Abingdon Naturalists Society, it was designated a Jubilee Wildlife Site in 2002  - one of ten sites in Oxfordshire, created to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Recently, several ponds have been dug on the site to provide habitat for dragonfly nymphs, frogs and toads.
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And they seem to be having the desired affect, as there has been a lot of toad activity recently, even during the day, when they risk being dried out in the sun, although some are wisely staying in the ponds
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The males who have ventured out have been seeking females and when they find one, they climb on and attach themselves to her, forming an 'amplexus embrace' and they will not let go:
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There is a good reason for this, the male toads desire to breed is so strong that they will clasp onto existing pairs - forming toad balls, like this, consisting of four toads:
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These can be entertaining to watch, as they usually fall over in a heap:
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Breeding always takes place in water, so if this toad ball makes it to the pond, there is a risk that the sheer number of males desperate to breed with the her will result in the female being drowned.
Still, judging by the numbers of toads on a warm spring day, there should be plenty of spawn and tadpoles in the ponds at Barton Fields this year.