New Forest

February to April is the time of year when Common Toads leave their winter sleeping quarters in the surrounding fields and migrate to their local breeding ponds. However many of them face death or injury as they attempt to cross the road.

The toads are currently crossing the Gorley Road to spawn in the surrounding Blashford Lakes - one of the largest crossing points in the New Forest.

Members of the Toad Patrol

They start crossing at dusk and continue crossing through the night when it's raining and warm. They never cross in the daytime or when it's cold.

Teresa Baker became aware of the dangers the toads faced 18 years ago and set up a toad patrol in the area.

"The toads just get slaughtered, and not always instantly - they're dying all over the place.  I noticed this was happening and decided something should be done about it."

One volunteer recently found 30 dead or dying toads during one patrol.  The numbers of Common Toads are in decline across the UK as more of their mating areas are surrounded by roads and developments.

There are currently 18 volunteers who regularly drive carefully along the road in pairs and stop and remove any toads they come across. Last year over 1,300 toads were successfully rescued off the road.

Toads and roads don't mix

Drivers on Gorley Road and other forest roads can play their part in saving the toads by slowing down to avoid squashing them.

"Drivers should watch out - there is no need to run over the toads, they can be avoided."

Toads always go back to where they spawned, so there is no point taking them somewhere else because they'll spend the rest of their lives trying to back here.  It's something which needs to be looked at carefully by the councils and the authorities who look after wildlife."

Teresa is hoping Sir David Attenborough's current Life in Cold Blood series will encourage more interest in amphibians and encourage more local people to volunteer for a shift on the toad patrol.

There are already more than 660 official toad crossings in the UK and over 100 volunteer Toad Patrols registered with the Frog Life conservation organisation who work on spring evenings, rescuing toads and carrying them across the roads while also recording vital information on toad numbers.

If you would like to find out more about toad patrol and even volunteer some of your time to help, you can find more information at froglife.co.uk.