Appeal to watch for toads in Carmarthenshire
People are asked to watch out for toads crossing roads in Carmarthenshire.
Between now and March, the amphibians make their way to traditional sites to mate and produce the well known strings of toad spawn seen in ponds.
Common toads are very particular about where they breed and often migrate back to their ancestral breeding ponds each year.
They follow the same route, regardless of what gets in their way, which sometimes leads to them crossing roads, risking being killed in traffic.
Two toad crossings have already been identified in Carmarthenshire – at Burry Port and Pantyffynnon – where the county council has put up signs warning motorists to watch out.
And dedicated volunteers are often on hand with buckets to help the toads cross these hazardous barriers, picking up hundreds of the amphibians and ensuring they go safely on their way to their breeding ponds.
People are now being asked to look out for any other areas where large numbers of migrating toads can be seen crossing roads.
The sites can be registered with Froglife’s Toads on Roads project, which has been running for over 20 years, and has around 750 crossings so far.
The Toads on Roads project registers these sites as 'migratory crossings' and helps coordinate local Toad Patrols, who can apply for road warning signs to be installed and actively help them across the road.
Toad numbers have declined in many parts of UK and road kill is thought to be the principal cause coupled with the loss of ponds.
The toad crossings feature on Google Earth in a bid to cut the numbers of amphibians being killed by motorists.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s biodiversity officer Isabel Macho said: “Where we get this toad versus traffic scenario, the toads inevitably come off worse and their amorous ambitions to find a mate can be dashed!
“We would like people to keep an eye out for any places where large numbers of toads are crossing roads so that we can apply to register the sites and take action to help them cross safely.”
To report possible migration sites for toads in Carmarthenshire contact Isabel Macho on 01267 224653 or IMacho@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Between now and March, the amphibians make their way to traditional sites to mate and produce the well known strings of toad spawn seen in ponds.
Common toads are very particular about where they breed and often migrate back to their ancestral breeding ponds each year.
They follow the same route, regardless of what gets in their way, which sometimes leads to them crossing roads, risking being killed in traffic.
Two toad crossings have already been identified in Carmarthenshire – at Burry Port and Pantyffynnon – where the county council has put up signs warning motorists to watch out.
And dedicated volunteers are often on hand with buckets to help the toads cross these hazardous barriers, picking up hundreds of the amphibians and ensuring they go safely on their way to their breeding ponds.
People are now being asked to look out for any other areas where large numbers of migrating toads can be seen crossing roads.
The sites can be registered with Froglife’s Toads on Roads project, which has been running for over 20 years, and has around 750 crossings so far.
The Toads on Roads project registers these sites as 'migratory crossings' and helps coordinate local Toad Patrols, who can apply for road warning signs to be installed and actively help them across the road.
Toad numbers have declined in many parts of UK and road kill is thought to be the principal cause coupled with the loss of ponds.
The toad crossings feature on Google Earth in a bid to cut the numbers of amphibians being killed by motorists.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s biodiversity officer Isabel Macho said: “Where we get this toad versus traffic scenario, the toads inevitably come off worse and their amorous ambitions to find a mate can be dashed!
“We would like people to keep an eye out for any places where large numbers of toads are crossing roads so that we can apply to register the sites and take action to help them cross safely.”
To report possible migration sites for toads in Carmarthenshire contact Isabel Macho on 01267 224653 or IMacho@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
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