Caution: Toads crossing!
Have you spotted a toad or two (or more?!) out and about? If so, did you wonder what they were doing and where they were going? Spring is the time when toads often move to find mates and a place to lay their eggs, like a lot of other animals. But also like a lot of other mammals, sadly this can make them vulnerable to getting squashed on road. But the good news is there are ways you can help prevent this!
The not-so-Common Toad
If you're lucky, you'll already have spotted a common toad. They're also known as European Toads, and their scientific name is Bufo bufo.They are an amphibian, like frogs, but have drier, lumpier skin. Because of these lumps, there is a myth that touching a toad can give you warts but this simply isn't true. In fact, the toad is more at risk because their sensitive skin can be affected by chemicals humans might have on their hands, so it's best not to touch them for their safety.Toads mostly live on their own, but in the spring, when it's time to mate, many of them gather together at particular ponds to breed.
Toads out and about
Toads spend the winter hiding in safe locations, either in dead wood or buried in mud. Then in spring when the days start to get longer and the weather a little milder, they emerge and start to make their way to these special ponds and reservoirs. Common toads in the UK return to the same breeding points that they’ve been coming to for generations, and tend to follow the same routes every year. This is a type of migration, and because it's been happening for generations, it's possible to observe and map these toad mating migration routes. 
Toads on Roads
Unfortunately, some of these migration routes now have roads across them. This won't stop the toads; they will keep moving towards their destination. But unfortunately roads with fast-moving cars aren't good for toads. That’s why the amphibian charity Froglife started the Toads on Roads project. As mentioned above, the toads follow the same route so the Toads on Roads project registers these as ‘migratory crossings’ and then coordinated groups of local people can become Toad Patrols. These Patrols can ask their local council for road warning signs which ask drivers to slow down and drive carefully to try and avoid hitting toads, and can also organise to be out and about helping toads cross these roads, though obviously you’ll need to be very careful. 
When do the toads start moving?
Toads love wet weather, tend to migrate at night, and most start moving around January and can move as late as April.
Want to see toads?
Or give a helping hand at your local toad crossing? Froglife have a handy way of finding your local one; just pop your postcode into their toad crossing finder.
Why do they need our help?
Toads, like other amphibians, are in rapid decline in the UK. There are many reasons for this, including habitat loss. You can help them by supporting the work of charities like Froglife, and by campaigning for better conservation of wild places, parks and wetlands.
Useful links