Green Cross Code for toads crossing roads as patrol sets out to save them

31 March 2023 , 20:35

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Toads need freshwater in which to lay their eggs so they often cross highways to find a pond

Toad numbers in the UK have dropped by two-thirds in the past 30 years - now human patrols are getting involved to give them a much-needed boost.

BBC1’s Wild Isles will show how, in one Somerset village, an army of high-vis patrollers are out stopping traffic to allow the toads to cross the roads safely.

Sir David Attenborough tells viewers: “Common toads need freshwater in which to lay their eggs so she must find a pond - and that can involve a journey of several miles which is full of obstacles and dangers. Tens of thousands are killed every year.”

In Winscombe, north Somerset, locals are determined to help out on those warm, wet nights in March when the toads are making their way out of the woods and into the water.

Toad numbers have dropped by two-thirds in the past 30 years (Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Chris Howard, producer of Sunday’s Freshwater episode, lives in the village and his wife Laura is one of the toad safety patrollers.

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“In Winscombe, the group is run by Joy, a tiny but formidable toad hero who runs a WhatsApp group to rally the troops each night - and the response is incredible,” he explained.

“On those wet, 10 degree plus nights, a small army of high-vis volunteers march up and down the dark streets of Winscombe, trying to slow traffic and move any toads they find in the road away from danger.”

After their all-night efforts, a report is sent to a national toad monitoring group containing the data of how many made it - and how many didn’t. They’ve even managed to get some roads closed to give the toads the best chance of survival.

A toad crossing a road

“It’s a little-known but truly wonderful example of citizen conservation,”

Chris added. “And with our toads in such serious decline, each and every life saved on our roads is a really precious thing.”

And road traffic isn’t the only problem the toads have face. Once the fertilised eggs hatch into tiny froglets they must head back into the same woods from where their mother emerged.

The only problem is to get their they must get past a formidable predator - a giant leech which can swallow them whole from either end of its body.

Sir David Attenborough presents Wild Isles, which this week focuses on freshwater species (BBC/Silverback Films/Chris Howard)

Sir David, 96, says: “They must cross a killing zone, haunted by giant leeches. Some are fifteen centimetres long - and they have an appetite for baby toads. They hunt using a keen sense of smell and five pairs of eyes.”

If the toddlers aren’t quick enough they are gobbled up whole by the leeches - which have three sets of teeth.

Luckily, for every one that is eaten, hundreds more make it back to the woods.

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* Wild Isles: Freshwater, BBC1, Sunday 7pm

Nicola Methven