Patrolling toads on Oxfordshire’s roads

The weather is warm(ish) and it’s nearly Valentine’s Day. Which means, for the Oxfordshire toad population, at least, it’s baby-making time. 

Toad migrations

You’d be forgiven for thinking that toads just hang out around their ponds doing amphibious things forever. But once they’ve completed their metamorphosis, they wander off and find a terrestrial home to do those things, only migrating back to their original ponds to breed. This can be any time between late January (southwest England) and late March (northeast England, eastern Scotland), once the weather is in the 5-10°C range.

And now is that time. 

Oxfordshire’s common toads have begun their annual pond trek. For many, this involves crossing high-traffic and high-speed roads. Whilst the toads are determined, they are highly vulnerable and not exactly quick. This can lead to, well, a lot of pancaked amphibians. 

Why toads matter

Toads are critical as part of a healthy ecosystem. A single toad can consume thousands of slugs, snails, and ants each season, providing free, chemical-free pest control for allotments and gardens. They are also a good indicator species – a species whose health provides information about other species or the local environment. Declining toad populations can be informative about both water and air pollution, as well as habitat loss. 

Toads are an important food source for other species, like grass snakes and herons. However, across the UK common toad populations have declined sharply over the last few decades, making them less common and definitely in need of support.

Buckets and high-vis

Volunteer groups across the county are now out in force. Armed with buckets, torches, and high-vis vests, the Toads on Roads Patrollers intercept the road-crossing amphibians before they reach the tarmac, carrying them safely to the other side. 

It is quite possible you’ll see a ‘Toad Crossing’ sign, or a group of people with torches, monitoring the verges. Please, do slow down as you come to a crossing area. The toads are small and difficult to see in the dark, and the people are doing some amazing volunteer work. 

And, if you have a free evening and are keen to help out, most local patrols are looking for extra hands. You can find your nearest site here.