SACWG have launched a new project for 2025 – Strettons Toad Patrol.
A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped man the toad patrol along the B4577 between Princes Stretton Hills Water Company and Starr Lane in All Stretton during February and March. Over 900 toads, 73 frogs and 101 newts were rescued – an amazing effort from everyone!
Toads migrate to their ancestral breeding ponds between January and April, remaining there for a short time (often about a week). They then start to migrate away from the pond living on land in gardens, woodland, scrub and coarse grassland.
The toad patrol found that the migrating toads encountered a few additional hazards besides the high risk of being squashed by cars:
· The kerbstones were too high for them to climb up quickly, so they get trapped along the edges, prolonging the risk of being run over
· The application of road salt is also extremely detrimental to them. Shropshire Council spread salt during the colder evenings in March despite no rain being forecast. This meant the salt remained on the roads and got pushed to the kerbside. Because the toads could not climb onto the pavements easily many died due to desiccation.
Toads are an endearing little creature, and a welcome visitor to gardens as they enjoy ants, beetles, snails, slugs and spiders. Do let me know if you have toads (and a pond) in your garden. Contact me by email: Julie Cowley
Thanks also to Church Stretton Town Council who installed Toad Crossing signs at three vital migratory locations in All Stretton:
· The B4577 crossing to the pool on Mr Parkes’ land
· Farm Lane at the railway bridge
· Minor Road, Lower Wood
