OLDHAM CHRONICLE (UK) 10 April 07 Toad patrol sends out green message

Dedicated animal lovers have been praised for saving the lives of more than a thousand toads.

Working during the night over the last two weeks, Greg Barratt, a 33-year-old postman, and a willing team of volunteers carefully delivered the toads back to a Greenfield pond where they were born.

Reaching the pond at the rear of Tanner’s Mill meant the toads crossing several roads, facing the danger of being killed by unwary motorists.

And today, at the end of the toad patrol, Greg revealed they had rescued 1,163 amorous toads in Greenfield — and a further 551 at a new mating site in Diggle.

“In one night alone we saved 543 toads in Greenfield,” he said proudly.

“This is a record and the actual total number of toads we saved was up on last year’s figures too.”

More than 40 volunteers including enthusiastic locals, armed with head torches and buckets took the toads to safety.

“They did a wonderful job,” added Greg. “There has been tremendous interest from families and children this year.

“Unlike frogs which leap, the toads only move slowly. Consequently, they are crushed by passing drivers who can easily mistake them for leaves.”

Mike Rooke, secretary of the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association, praised the patrol.

“We are very interested in environmental issues,” he said.

“It’s wonderful to see people like Greg taking this kind of initiative — all power to his elbow.”

Oldham Council’s biodiversity officer, Stacey Cougill, explained: “Toads have declined in numbers, so the annual toad patrol is important to keep the population stable.

“People tend to think that toads live in the water, but in fact most of their time is spent on land.

“They always go back to where they were born, and each toad lays about 2,000 eggs.”

To ensure accurate records are kept of the toad population, they are counted, and a sample weighed, measured and sexed — females are much bigger.

Now Greg is hoping to raise funds to erect two special ‘Toad Crossing” signs in the Greenfield and Diggle, with council approval.
Toad patrol sends out green message

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