RECENTLY volunteers rescuing migrating toads, frogs and newts at
Charlcombe Lane in Bath collected a record 370 toads, 29 frogs and
8 newts during the course of one evening.
The recent cold weather had delayed the migration of these
amphibians from the hills above Charlcome to their breeding ponds
further down the valley.
The combination of a mild evening, rain earlier in the day, a
dark night and the need to get going to breed encouraged the
mass movement across the lane. The temporary closure of the
lane to through traffic has made the rescue safer for the
volunteers who are collecting them and putting them in a safe place
nearby.
Toad volunteer Helen Hobbs has asked that if you are out
and about in a car in the country in the next month to keep an
eye out for toads and frogs on country roads and if it is
safe to do so to slow down to avoid them.
If you are able to pick them up and put them in a safe hedge or
field downhill from the road even more will survive.
Toads and frogs are native to this country and are
struggling to survive as more ponds are filled in and traffic
has become heavier.
The amphibians are harmless and are helpful to gardeners as they
eat slugs and snails and other garden pests.
Charlcombe Lane will re-open to traffic from next week.
