ITS MIGRATION TIME AGAIN!

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO STOP THE TOADS FROM BEING KILLED.

Many thanks to those of you that have braved the elements over the past week. Approximately 200 toads moved to safety so far.

IF YOU CAN HELP THEN PLEASE EMAIL Holly Berwick

Each year toads migrate to the ponds where they were spawned, unfortunately many have to cross busy roads that now cross their centuries old migration routes.

This results in many hundreds of casualties as car drivers who are unaware of their plight accidentally run them over.

Lound Waterworks has a large population of Toads and is registered with Froglife.  We would like to thank Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils for erecting Toad Crossing signs in time for the migration.

Local volunteers are on Hall Road which runs between the lakes gathering Toads from the road and placing them into the lakes at 6.00pm every evening for a couple of hours.

If you walk down to the lakes you will see many of them at the lakes edge. The males calling out some to attract mates but also to warn off potential competition.

The Common Toad population is reducing because of the increase in the pollution of rivers and streams by chemicals and pesticides and the loss of ponds and hedgerows.

Healthy toad populations are important to gardeners and farmers, as they can consume many thousands of insect pests and therefore reduce the need for chemicals.

In the courtship the males cluster around the female in a strong embrace, holding on with the nuptial pads on their forefingers - on occasions enthusiasm is so great that the female drowns from the weight of the males. After about 2 weeks of frantic activity the toads leave the pond to return to their home territory.

If you think you can help us move toads off the roads which begins at last light then email me.