It's that time again!

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Spring is here and that means it’s time for the toad patrol again. Last year I found out about this scheme, organised by the charity Froglife which helps to save toads from being squashed at places where they have to cross roads to get to their breeding ponds. Near us they hibernate in the woods, then come out as the weather warms up to get to a deep pond for what is basically a big toad party. The problem is that of course you never quite know when they will be out. If the weather is relatively warm and damp, say 10°C or above and drizzly or actually raining, then it’s practically certain. But if it’s warm but dry, or if it’s wet but cool, you never quite know. So two or three volunteers will turn up just as it goes dark to reconnoitre and see if there are any toads out and about. So far this year we have had several nights with nothing or just three or four toads, and a couple of nights that were quite busy with lots of males, several females and even couples hopping or crawling out of the verges. Then of course it’s a mad dash to grab them (gently!) and put them safely in a bucket before the next bus comes hurtling past. I think we’ve given ourselves something of a reputation, meeting up in dark laybys on country roads at night, but it has been so interesting! All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2017.