Latest news with #CharlcombeToadRescueGroup
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Toad patrol helps 50,000 to breeding grounds
Charlcombe Toad Rescue A toad patrol group is celebrating after successfully helping 50,000 amphibians reach their breeding grounds over the past three decades. The Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group hopped to the aid of nearly 4,000 toads, frogs and newts as they crossed Charlcombe Lane, near Bath, during this year's migration season alone. A 0.5 mile (0.8km) stretch of the road has been closed for six weeks between February and March each year since 2003 to prevent the migrating toads from being squashed by traffic. About 50 volunteers go on patrol each night and have spent more than 600 hours a year helping amphibians make the crossing. The group has been closing the road in agreement with Bath and North East Somerset Council for more than 20 years. It is one of only four closures of its kind in the country. Chris Melbourne, who manages the collection of data for the Charlcombe Toad Rescue said it had been a "game changer" for the local amphibian population. He said reaching the milestone of helping 50,000 amphibians could not have been done without the support of nearby residents. Before the closure of Charlcombe Lane, the casualty amphibian casualty rate during mating season was 62%. In 2025, it was 3%. There was an exciting first for the rescuers in 2025, with a Great Crested Newt spotted for the first time the group's history. The volunteers take every precaution to escort the migration, using latex-free, powder-free gloves so as to avoid any chemicals from their hands harming the amphibians. The group says changes in the climate make it harder for the group to keep of the toads. Mr Melbourne said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" to predict the peak times for amphibian movements. "Closing the road for six weeks makes such a difference," he added. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Toads Newts Frogs Bristol Bath and North East Somerset Council Wildlife conservation
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Bath toad patrol group helps 50,000 to breeding grounds
A toad patrol group is celebrating after successfully helping 50,000 amphibians reach their breeding grounds over the past three Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group hopped to the aid of nearly 4,000 toads, frogs and newts as they crossed Charlcombe Lane, near Bath, during this year's migration season alone.A 0.5 mile (0.8km) stretch of the road has been closed for six weeks between February and March each year since 2003 to prevent the migrating toads from being squashed by 50 volunteers go on patrol each night and have spent more than 600 hours a year helping amphibians make the crossing. The group has been closing the road in agreement with Bath and North East Somerset Council for more than 20 years. It is one of only four closures of its kind in the country. Chris Melbourne, who manages the collection of data for the Charlcombe Toad Rescue said it had been a "game changer" for the local amphibian population. He said reaching the milestone of helping 50,000 amphibians could not have been done without the support of nearby residents. Before the closure of Charlcombe Lane, the casualty amphibian casualty rate during mating season was 62%. In 2025, it was 3%. There was an exciting first for the rescuers in 2025, with a Great Crested Newt spotted for the first time the group's history. The volunteers take every precaution to escort the migration, using latex-free, powder-free gloves so as to avoid any chemicals from their hands harming the group says changes in the climate make it harder for the group to keep of the Melbourne said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" to predict the peak times for amphibian movements."Closing the road for six weeks makes such a difference," he added.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
650 toads saved from ‘massacre' in Sussex village
Volunteers have saved 650 toads from a 'massacre' in an East Sussex village. The residents of Litlington, near Eastbourne, have mobilised patrols to protect migrating toads as they cross the main road. Hundreds of toads, which come out of hibernation in March, get run over in the village every year as they crawl towards fresh water to spawn. Volunteers are now manning a 2.5-mile stretch of road, urging motorists to slow down and weave around the amphibians. 'This is our first year and we just have to get it as right as we can,' said Penny Aeberhard, who has organised the initiative. 'After the first night we realised that the big massacres were happening as people were travelling from south to north as they're coming home from work, Monday to Friday. 'They're driving too fast – you have to go at 15 to 20mph maximum to avoid these little critters.' The volunteers have helped 650 toads across the road so far this year but have recorded 116 deaths. Ms Aeberhard told BBC News the patrol was 'not for the faint-hearted' because of the busy traffic 'Too dark, too cold, too wet, too slippery, fall into a pothole, break an ankle or whatever, or get hit by a car,' she said. Vanessa Rowlands, one of the volunteers, said that when she was not patrolling she felt 'slightly anxious that I'm not going to be out for the rest of them'. 'Coming out and just saving some toads has been really, really good for my mental health,' she said, adding: 'We have made a big difference.' Toad patrols are organised across Britain by the charity Froglife, which last year helped 115,117 of the animals cross roads during spawning season. There are more than 200 patrols across the UK helping amphibians during the migration season. In some parts of the country roads are completely closed at night to help toads get to their breeding grounds. Charlcombe Lane near Bath, Somerset, is closed until March 25 between dusk and dawn to allow volunteers to pick up toads from the road and take them to safety. More than 3,000 toads were saved from the half-mile stretch of road last year. The Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group, which organises the effort, has seen a reduction in the toad casualty rate from 62 per cent to just 6 per cent. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
