Volunteers prepare for 'toadmageddon'

A group of 60 volunteers are preparing for what they described as "toadmageddon".

The Toad Patrol will help hundreds of migrating toads cross a road in Lincolnshire, to save them from being squashed by passing vehicles.

Emma Hallewell, 52, said she set up the group after she found 700 of the amphibians squashed on Five Gates Lane in Belton, near Grantham, last year.

"They'll get a helping hand across the road to their breeding pond this year," she said.

Hallewell said the group would carry out a "toad watch" - armed with high vis jackets, torches and buckets.

She said she expected the toads to migrate and cross the road in mid-February during twilight, but it was weather dependent.

"They don't like to go out when it's too cold," she said.

The group has an alert system in place on its website which includes toad green, toad amber and toad red.

When the code moves to toad red, the volunteers will go to the road and help the toads to cross.

"As soon as the toads start moving, we have a rota and then we'll assess each night as it comes," she said.

"When it's full migration and peak, we call it toadmaggedon."

Hallewell said she was inspired to be part of a toad patrol after she saw the charity Froglife's Toads on the Roads project.

According to the group, the common toad, recognisable by its warty skin and distinctive waddling walk, is thought to be declining in parts of the UK.

"Road traffic is a significant threat during breeding season, as toads move slowly and often cross roads at night while returning to ponds used for generations."

Hallewell said the volunteers had a group chat to ensure they could notify each other of any toad movement.

"We all chat to each other and make sure we have cover to make sure those toads are safe," she said.

"Knowing you are helping wildlife is just the best," she added.

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