Special Patrols Launched to Protect Toads on Warwickshire Roads

Volunteers in Warwickshire are staging night-time patrols to protect migrating toads from being killed on roads during breeding season.

Each spring, toads return to the same ponds where they were born to spawn. However, many of these breeding sites are now located near busy roads, putting the amphibians at risk as they make their annual journey.

To help reduce fatalities, members of the Warwickshire Amphibian and Reptile Team (WART) are installing specially designed toad ladders along kerbs to prevent the animals from becoming trapped in roadside drains and gullies.

Ben Wood from WART said the dangers go beyond traffic.

“We've not only got the cars flattening them on the roads, but they're also being trapped by this very efficient pitfall trapping system that we're setting up to catch rainwater,” he said.

Unlike frogs, toads cannot jump or leap, meaning they often struggle to climb kerbs once they reach the other side of the road. Instead, they tend to follow the kerb edge until they find a way up — or fall into a drain.

“They will follow along the kerb until they get to somewhere they can climb out or to a hole in the ground that's full of water, and a lot of our roads are full of gullies and there's no way out for amphibians,” Mr Wood added.

WART is working alongside national wildlife charity Froglife, which supplies the ladders used at known crossing points. The devices are placed in drains near migration routes, allowing trapped toads to climb out safely.

There are currently seven registered toad crossings in Warwickshire, though Mr Wood believes there are likely to be more that have not yet been identified.

During peak migration periods, volunteers head out at night wearing high-visibility clothing and carrying torches. They help toads cross roads safely and check gullies for trapped animals.

“Our volunteers go out at night this time of year with torches and hi-vis jackets, and they will pick up toads they see on the roads and carry them to the other side,” Mr Wood said.

“They'll also be checking down those gullies and rescuing any amphibians they find trapped at the bottom.”

Warning signs have also been installed in some areas, urging drivers to slow down where toads are known to cross.

Conservation groups say even small actions by motorists — such as reducing speed and staying alert — can help protect local wildlife during the short but critical breeding season.