THE VISITOR (Morecambe, UK) 04 April 08 'Toad Crossing' in Silverdale
Motorists in Silverdale may have noticed an unusual looking sign on New Road – featuring a giant toad.
The site is actually an official 'toad crossing' and the sign is to warn motorists to be on the lookout for the creatures crossing the road during their mating and migrating season.
The triangular sign with the image inside was designed by the national conservation charity Frog Life.
Every spring thousands of amorous toads are killed where modern roads cross their centuries-old migration paths.
Many groups organise toad lift patrols in their area and if people venture out on mild, wet evenings in April, they will be able to report back when the toads are on the move.
By watching the toads, you can estimate their general direction and, by asking locally, you should be able to trace the pond they are heading for. Toads are not slimy or warty and do not jump like frogs.
Any toads approaching the crossing point or actually on the road can be easily picked up and deposited in buckets before being safely delivered to their pond.
On the continent, many roads crossing toad migration paths are built with fences to direct the toads through tunnels under the tarmac.
The charity Frog Life has been running a Toads on Roads campaign for a number of years, and works to ensure measures are put in place that save toads as they migrate across roads to breeding ponds in spring.
Since 1989 Froglife has registered 670 crossings in the UK, some of which have dedicated volunteer toad patrollers.
'Toad Crossing' in Silverdale