Toads migrate each year in order to breed, often to their ancestral breeding ponds. They take the same path each year regardless of what is in their way. The urbanisation of their environments has led to much of some toads' journeys taking place in and around human settlements and therefore roads. Toads are slow, and can't jump as far as their relatives the frog, meaning that when crossing busy roads and paths they are often squished.In fact an estimated 20 tonnes worth of toad is squished by traffic each year!

FrogLife is a UK based charity that does a great deal towards amphibian conservation. One of their projects is "Toads on Roads", which consists of finding and supporting known toad populations that crossroads during their migration period. In association with local councils they will assist in getting stretches of road closed and marked, which then are monitored by groups of Toad Patrollers. These volunteers will help the toads by carrying them across the road and making sure the public is aware and informed! As of 2021 they are aware of and acting at 170 crossings.

Toads are both a keystone and indicator species making it especially important that we monitor and protect their populations. Their numbers can help indicate changes and problems within an ecosystem as they are so important to the food chains in which they belong!

To learn more about Toads and other Amphibians in the Uk, please click the links below!