TOAD PATROLS
Toads matter because they are an important part of the ecosystem.
They act like a natural pesticide eating large quantities of slugs and flies etc and are a food source for a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals. Their numbers are indicators of environmental health or environmental degradation because their skin easily absorbs toxins making them very susceptible to pollution.
Road mortality is one of the biggest threats facing common toads alongside water pollution and loss of habitats.
The toads tend to stop in the road to look up and down for a mate
Barcombe toad patrols under the map showing the 3 patrol areas and photos
The above image shows you what you might see on the road when the toads are crossing. The toads tend to cross from February 14th for a few weeks on evenings and nights when the weather is warm and damp with rain.
They tend not to cross on cold, dry evenings or in daytime.
Road mortality is one of the biggest threats facing common toads alongside water pollution and loss of habitats.
Every spring in the UK, thousands of toads risk their lives crossing roads to reach their breeding ponds. Many never make it. Toads try to return to their same ponds year after year. Unfortunately they may also stop on the roads possibly looking for mates where the visibility is good.
There are at least 3 main road crossing areas in Barcombe.
Froglife UK wrote this year : ‘Last year The Planning and Infrastructure Bill weakened protection for UK wildlife. This year’s Water Reform Bill presents a critical opportunity for this Government to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas from agricultural and sewage pollution and reduce the serious risks to freshwater environments and amphibians.’
So local people go out at dusk and in the dark to take them off the roads towards their pond destination at the main toad road crossing areas.
This year around Barcombe the numbers of toads alive / found dead were lower than previous years.
If you would like to help next year you would be very welcome so please add your name and contact details to the volunteer list.
You can email Lou Alexander lalexanderbarcombepc@gmail.com
