I photographed these Common Toads (Bufo bufo) in amplexus in the edge of the reedbed on phase 1. There were numerous small groups of three or four congregating in the open water around the reeds and I could hear others croaking calls from within the reedbed. The males have very muscular forelimbs which they use to 'clasp' the female in a strong hold called amplexus. They will remain in this state until the female spawns and at the same time the male will eject sperm over the egg strands as they emerge. As in this photo other males may attempt to clasp the female and it is possible for larger males to dislodge smaller ones.