Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Discussion of sightings in and around the Chorley area.

Moderator: Neil Southworth

Post Reply
paul b
Raven
Posts: 833
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: Great Knowley SD59611936 590'ASL

Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by paul b »

We are now registered with Froglife.org and all official.
After being alerted by Steve our resident expert observer that 38 toads had been killed on Friday night, our trusty patrol were out in the mist and pitch black at Ward's last night to move the migration.
In just over two hours we escorted/lifted 32 toads and a single frog to safety (we hope the mallards don't get them now). Down there again tonight all being well.
Leonard Poxon
Little Egret
Posts: 4743
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:42 am
Location: Great Knowley
Contact:

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by Leonard Poxon »

Well done.
paul b
Raven
Posts: 833
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: Great Knowley SD59611936 590'ASL

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by paul b »

A quiet night with the toads hunkered down because it was several degrees cooler and not as misty -we only moved 6 in an hour and a half -but I'm sure this half dozen appreciated the lift!
tony
Raven
Posts: 733
Joined: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:25 pm
Location: CHORLEY

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by tony »

The next few nights are expected to be when the migration starts proper and unfortunately there are only 5 of us at the moment and we cant turn out every night, so we could really do with some help.
If anyone can spare a couple of hours between 8 and 10pm please do so, 5 of us can only do so much!!
Neville Root
Raven
Posts: 891
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2014 2:51 pm
Location: Chorley

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by Neville Root »

If you need a hand between 8.00 and 10.00pm tonight give me a shout
tony
Raven
Posts: 733
Joined: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:25 pm
Location: CHORLEY

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by tony »

Thanks Neville pm sent.
paul b
Raven
Posts: 833
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: Great Knowley SD59611936 590'ASL

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by paul b »

Much better night on Monday -totals of live 87 toads and 6 frogs with 14 toads unfortunately run over. The group was joined by Neville and all of us enjoyed being busy despite the steady rain
Running (or crawling more appropriately) total =125 toads, 7 frogs, 20 killed
Neville Root
Raven
Posts: 891
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2014 2:51 pm
Location: Chorley

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by Neville Root »

also curlew, tawny owl and c snipe (calling and drumming) and 100's BH gull heading back to roost.
paul b
Raven
Posts: 833
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: Great Knowley SD59611936 590'ASL

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by paul b »

Tuesday was return to relative quiet as it was dry -there are still toads in the marsh as they were busy croaking but they prefer damp conditions.
We welcomed MarkF to our active group of patrollers.

Eight toads and a single female smooth newt were moved.

Totals -toads -133, frogs 7,newt 1 , killed 20.
paul b
Raven
Posts: 833
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: Great Knowley SD59611936 590'ASL

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by paul b »

After a few days off we patrolled last night -quite productive as we moved 22 toads, 2 frogs and a smooth newt. Unfortunately 7 toads slipped past and were killed -they are quite crafty and surprisingly quick when they have a mind and when your back's turned...
We may need to employ a "sweeper system" where someone just sweeps the road with a light to catch these 'escapees'

Totals now -toads 155, (killed 27); frogs 9, newts 2

Dan from Horwich was a welcome new patroller last night -please PM me with contact details -thanks
Paul Hodson
Peregrine
Posts: 1067
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2015 3:25 pm

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by Paul Hodson »

Last night was quite a busy one for the 7 patrollers that turned out, most of us were there from 8.30 to 10.00, although Tony and Tracey deserve a mention for staying on until 11.00 and picking up another 15 Toads. We usually stay until the traffic dies down but it was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night.
We lifted a total of 51 Toads, but things did get a bit confusing when we realized that many Toads were now heading in the opposite direction and leaving the reservoir to head back to the marsh. Presumably these are Toads that have successfully spawned. Some of them must have been rather miffed at getting halfway to their destination, only to be hauled back to the reservoir by a bunch of well meaning Chorley Nat's members! Once we realized what was happening we had to work out where each one was headed before helping them across the road.
We scanned the reservoir by torchlight and there were a good number of Toads in the water which was reassuring.

The total now stands at. Live Toads- 206. Dead Toads -34. Frogs -12.
paul b
Raven
Posts: 833
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: Great Knowley SD59611936 590'ASL

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by paul b »

Another patrol found 13 toads and one newt (palmate female) and ALL moving away from Ward's back to the boggy land.
That means (we think) spawning is almost over and the migration is finished for this year.

The patrol is going to stand down, though some members may go back in the next few days to help save a few "returnees".

Totals are Live toads -219, frogs 12, newts -3 [dead toads -61 -twenty seven had been killed on Friday night]

Many thanks to all the patrollers -fantastic effort by Paul H, Carol, Tony and Tracey Dunn, Neville, MarkF and Dan and daughter. Hope to see you-and others- next year.

Paul
paul b
Raven
Posts: 833
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: Great Knowley SD59611936 590'ASL

Re: Toad patrol, Belmont -update

Post by paul b »

For the patrollers -and anyone else taking an interest -I went to take down warning signs this AM and happy to report that there were no more than 6-7 flattened toad remains on the road from Wormsteads Car park to Ward's. Hopefully there will be few if any more casualties.
Post Reply

Return to “Recent Sightings”