It’s toad time of year again. Usually I post about the toadlets, but this year I thought I’d include the adults. Now is the time when the adult toads are meeting up and heading down to the local ponds at night. “Going to find girlfriends, ” as TF loves to explain.
Unfortunately, there are roads to cross which mean that they encounter cars. Every morning as we walk to school, along our lane, we can see the toads that didn’t make it across safely.
Tonight, we went out to see how many toads cross the road each night. Armed with a torch BL , TF and I headed along the lane. It didn’t take long to find the toads making their crossing. We watched a few near misses as commuters raced home.
The poor things stayed where they were, untouched, but obviously dazed by the encounter. Luckier than some of their counterparts. It was difficult not to interfere, so we did move as many as we could to the side of the road.
As we listened to an owl and watched a lone bat swooping above our heads, we talked about it being a numbers game and why they cross at night. We know from our encounters with the toadlets, that they start off in large numbers. We’ve also watched our grass snakes devouring them as they cross our garden. Just one of many possible endings for the toads. By the time they are crossing the road, they are much fewer in numbers. I, for one, could not help but admire these plucky little creatures.
Good luck, toads. You’re going to need it.
We’re joining in the fun over at #CountryKids. Hop over for more outside inspiration.
And as the toads are so much part of the rhythm of our year, we are linking up with Clarina’s Savouring the Season. Loving her spring cleaning idea.
How fantastic to get out and see animals in their natural habitat.. Its the simple things which are so rewarding.
The toads passing through is so part the rhythm of the year for us, that I am guilty of taking it for granted. Thanks for the reminder.
It’s great that you can experience them close up. I remember the local Watch group that I belonged to used to do a toad migration evening where you went and helped move them across the road
There are a few groups around here, but not on our stretch. Must be fun to do as a group.
I can’t believe it is toad time again. They love to hop around the farm and with the lakes and marshy areas it makes a perfect breeding ground, The electric fencing round the lake is our equivalent of the road but it’s not on at the moment so hopefully we won’t lose so many this year. We had better get out looking for frogspawn if you are already toad hunting! Love your night time photos, they have come out so well.
Poor little toads. They really do have a lot to contend with. Roads or electric fences.
I was surprised that I had any photos to show. Think the torch light helped.
Amazing for kids seeing creatures at night in their habitats – I love how you also heard and saw an owl and a bat.
Feels like the start of the year, when we spot the first bat. Starting to come out of hibernation.
Ah I find frogs and toads fascinating at this time of year. I remember walking through some woods in Germany last year and finding it hard to dodge them crossing the path as there were so many of them! #CountyKids
Its a bit like that when the toadlets arrive. Not yet, but we can’t step out of the house some years without gently moving them out of the way.
I would love to see a grass snake devouring a toad! Sad end for the toad I know but at least it’s a natural death that feeds another animal.
We find the grass snakes at the top of our garden, curled up after a good meal. They lie right in the path of the toadlets. I’m sure they can just sit up there, with their mouths open and wait for the little ones to hop in. Nature!
Fascinating to see and great to get the kids out discovering all about it, too. Good luck, toads! #CountryKids
Yes. Good luck toads.
Well done, it doesn’t hurt to give some a helping hand, I know I would.
We used to have a path the frogs used at the back of us but some greedy neighbour decided he wanted a bit more garden and blocked the path, we have had to rescue some from the cats but the last year they haven’t been around thank goodness.
Briony
x
Children get very excited when they see frogs. Toads are run of the mill for them! Its amazing how nature will bounce back given just a small chance.I wonder if they are going through your neighbours garden now.
What a great idea! Aww, those poor toads crossing the road! Bad enough for us adults! #CountryKids
Very sad to see the squashed toads. Less on the road this morning, so hopefully that is it for the year.
Good luck toads! It’s amazing to be able to watch them in their natural habitat, great learning experience for the kids. I wouldn’t have been able to resist helping them across the road either 🙂 #CountryKids
Just hope I put them on the right side of the road!
I keep wondering about joining one of the “Toad Patrols” to help them over the road. One of the roads we use to get to the kids Forest School gets closed at the height of the season. Well done for helping them and sounds like you had a good evening outdoors.
Toads are such nice creatures. I imagine a group activity like Toad Patrol would be worth the effort of joining in.
Our frogs are out and about and I have seen a few toads – shortly though there will be a short period when driving to our nearest town is impossible without hitting frogs and toads – there are hundreds of them. Did you know only about 4 frogs reach adulthood from each batch of frogs spawn laid but it is why there are so many eggs in each batch.
It is a numbers game, for sure. Difficult to miss them when they are in those numbers on the road.
How amazing to be able to show your little ones a toad up close and to give it a helping hand.
Sweet little creatures. If nothing else, at least the children will know the difference between a toad and a frog.
oh wow – what a special sight! Loved those photos. x #savouringtheseason
So many toads. We were in the right time and right place to see them.
Ahhh! Well done toad rescue! How lovely to head down and try and save a few terrified toads! Thanks so much for linking up to #SavouringtheSeason Glad you’re enjoying the spring cleaning!!
[…] had been taken with a post from Time to Craft a few weeks back who had been night hunting for toads. I realised we must be behind on our annual […]