A call has been made for volunteers to help protect the Isle of Wight’s toad population, as a second migratory crossing site is now being supported by local patrollers.
Common Toads return each year to the same ancestral breeding ponds, following historic migration routes that often lead them across roads. With slow movement and poor visibility at night, many are killed by traffic in what conservationists are calling a growing crisis.
The national ‘Toads on Roads’ project, led by wildlife charity Froglife, works to register these migratory sites and support volunteer patrols who assist the toads in crossing safely. Locally, the scheme has now expanded to 2 patrol points, but entire populations have already been lost at sites including Shorwell, Wyatts Lane in Northwood and Blackwater.
Volunteer groups can apply for road warning signs to alert drivers, but it is claimed that the Isle of Wight Council has stated there are currently no funds available to support this.
Toad patrollers are currently wanted in Adegstone, Brighstone, Chale, Northwood, Shalfleet and Shorwell.
Local organiser Paul White has said:
“Frogs (and Toads) have been around for over 250 million years; they have survived multiple mass extinctions, and they watched the dinosaurs come and go. They are the barometer of the planet’s health. They play a pivotal role in the ecosystem. Running 250,000 of them over with our cars each year is the final nail in their coffin.
“Nature cannot cope with the ongoing levels of human activity; therefore, it is our responsibility as humans to mitigate our negative impact on the world around us”.
Article continues below this advertisement
Patrolling typically takes place after sunset between January and March, often in wet weather. Volunteers are encouraged to give as much time as they can, with commitment and enthusiasm being key to the patrols’ success.
Anyone interested in taking part can find more information at https://www.froglife.org/what-we-do/toads-on-roads/.
Tight arses you can buy them on Amazon for approximately £6. Gonna break the bank? The council let some staff go problem solved ha ha
Maybe get them some hi vis vests so motorists can see them better?
Better still get all motorists to go to Specsavers.