Toad patrol, Belmont -updates

[paul b]

A good first night -the migration is certainly under way.
Final count -toads 33 moved including four pairs already coupled up, 1 frog and two smooth or palmate newts.(need to work on identification!) Unfortunately, we missed 3 toads and a newt that didn't make it.

Interestingly, prompted by a conversation with dog walkers, we had a look at the footpath running around Ward's and found scores of toads safely moving to the water. They are comparatively safe and it probably shows a healthy population at the site -but in any case, we'll continue to help those that are vulnerable to traffic harm.
Thanks Paul and Dan.

[paul b]

Slightly lower figures last night as it turned colder but still productive:

Toads 25 -one couple-(with four dead) -newts 1 (1 dead).

To date - toads 58 (7) , frog 1, newts 3 (2) -these are even slower movers than toads.Although Rivington Road is not very wide to us , newts have a massive barrier to cross.

Thanks Paul, Carol, Tony and Tracey and also welcome to David- an additional valued patroller.

[paul b]

No movement of amphibians at all -weather (cool and dry) opposite of what we needed -tonight should be better.
2 or 3 drumming snipe were heard. Tawny owl near Belmont church.

A couple of thankfully smallish grass fires on Winter Hill were attended by the fire brigade -seems the arsonists have started early this year.

[paul b]

Duped a little by a positive forecast we patrolled again but only a single frog braved the sleet showers. There'll be a short pause while we wait to see if better conditions will prompt the migration to resume.
Thanks to Dan,Paul and welcome back to Neville.

[paul b]

The Toad patrol is ended from today for another year -many thanks for the effort and enthusiasm shown by the team-Carol, Dan, David, Neville, Paul & Tony and Tracey -great work. A real positive was that Kully and Ahmed (not CDNHS members) joined us for our final attempt last week. Last,but not least, thanks to Steve M for all his help and support.

It was certainly a funny old time this year -initial success then a lull that went on and on -and then on again.The most frustrating thing is not finding ANY movement on a good 50%+ of our visits.

So the final numbers of 58 toads (about 30 dead), 2 frogs and 3 newts (2dead)is much lower than in 2018. Possible reasons include toads accessing Ward's from sides where they don't need to cross the road; toads moving when traffic is light or non-existent -or most worrying, numbers have fallen dramatically.
We need to get out there next Spring to see how things are with the hope that numbers increase.
Hope to see you all patrollers back again all in 2020.

[MarkF]

Wish I could have joined you this year, I am sure the toads that were saved will be extremely grateful for their rescue and an extremely worthwhile venture.