Patrols begin to help toads cross the roads

Toads begin migrating to breeding ponds at this time of year

Volunteers have begun their annual patrols to help migrating toads cross the road.

The Ellesmere Toad Patrol will be helping the amphibians hop over Swan Hill, Caegoody Lane and Eastwick Lane around the Shropshire town, for the next two months.

The first patrol of 2024 was held on Wednesday after the toads ended their hibernation early because of the recent mild and wet weather.

Every year, following hibernation, they make the hazardous journey across the roads to get back to their breeding ponds.

Shropshire Council said short sections of Swan Hill and Caegoody Lane would be closed each night between 19:00 and 07:00 until 30 April.

The authority said Ellesmere has the largest number of toads across Shropshire and Staffordshire that have to cross roads to get to their breeding ponds.

Thousands of common toads are killed on the roads every year

Common toads are a declining species in the UK with thousands being killed on the roads every year.

They often move after dark when the temperature is above 6C.