THE STAR (Sheffield, UK) 01 March 08 Sheffield children's toad safety message
Photo at URL below: Green cross toad: Sheffield Toad Patrol member Zach Smith puts up a toad crossing sign at Whiteley Wood road in Sheffield (Dean Atkins)
Slow down, and don't be a toad-hog.
That's the warning from 11-year-old schoolboy Zach Smith and his fellow volunteers in the Sheffield Toad Patrol.
At this time of year you might see them out and about with their buckets in Fulwood, ensuring hundreds of toads don't come to a sticky end.
And motorists can help by following the Green Cross Toad – slowing down on Whiteley Wood Road near Forge Dam for the next four weeks when the toads will be crossing.
Zach, who lives in Ecclesall and attends Birkdale junior school, said: "They have a mass exodus across the road from Whiteley Woods to Wiremill Dam to their ancestral breeding ground in the pond.
"I expect many people may not think toads are that important, but they are declining because 20 tonnes of toads are squished by cars when crossing the road each year.
"Over 1,000 toads cross Whiteley Wood Road on a couple of nights in late February or early March. It all happens so quickly, and hundreds can be killed in a few hours."
When the toads start to cross Jen and Denis Creaghan, who live on Whiteley Wood Road, call out the volunteers.
Wearing brightly coloured clothing and high-visibility vests they go out to pick up the toads and carry them across the road.
Zach's mum Faye said: "There are only around 10 of us and we could do with a bit more help.
"But I suppose some people just don't like the thought of picking up a toad. I don't mind – and you never know, I might even find a prince! Not sure how many I'd be prepared to kiss to find one, though!"
To help the Toad Patrol log on to www.sheffieldportervalley.org.uk or call Sheffield Wildlife Trust on 0114 2634335.
Sheffield children's toad safety message