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Toad team help to get amphibians across road safely

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date24 April 2024
Publication titleJournal, The
the Seahouses Toads on Roads group have patrolled the B1340 between Seahouses and Monks House in all weathers since their formation in February, helping toads, newts and frogs to safely cross the road

They were assisted by temporary toad crossing signs in place to warn drivers of the toads' presence, with the site officially recognised by a national campaign named "Toads on Roads", co-ordinated by national wildlife charity Froglife.

Though toad patrols have existed in Northumberland for years, they were thrust into the spotlight in 2023 when hotel manager and director Hayley Watson, from Haydon Bridge, revealed she would save around 200 toads and 20 frogs each night during the breeding season, earning her the name 'Toad Girl' among locals. The warty amphibians typically breed from March throughout the spring and, at times, into the summer.

Claire Watson-Armstrong, of Bamburgh Castle, set up the Seahouses group and believes the number of creatures saved is a direct result of support and effort by the wider community.

She said: "Toadmania seems to have swept the community here.

"As well as our wonderful volunteers who have doggedly patrolled every night in dark, wet and cold conditions, people alerted us when they saw toads on the move and traf- fic, including buses and delivery drivers who slowed right down as they passed."

Claire added: "So many people have told us they had no idea the toads were there before we started patrolling and that drove slowly to safely avoid squashing them. It made my day each time someone told me they'd...

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