Toad patrol volunteers finish after record-breaking year

THE Henley Toad Patrol has disbanded again after a record-breaking year.

Volunteers carried 11,500 toads, 464 frogs and 225 smooth newts across the Marlow Road to their spawning pond on the Culden Faw Estate over three months.

A total of 5,597 toads, plus some frogs and newts, were helped back across the road and released into Oaken Grove Wood, having completed spawning.

Volunteers build a temporary barrier each year to prevent the migrating toads from crossing the busy road.

Each evening they check the barrier for amphibians and carry them across the road to the ponds in buckets. The group was started in 1999 by local residents Professor John Sumpter and Alan Parfitt, who are still involved.

Since its conception, more than 140,000 toads have been carried across the road.

Members have now taken down the temporary barrier but volunteers will continue to be on site each night at the start of this month to get the last of the returning amphibians across the road and back into the wood.

Prof Sumpter said that significantly more toads migrated this year than in any year since he began collecting the numbers, with the previous record of 10,501 toads being set in 2010. He said: “Whatever the reason for the very high number, it is very heartening that this population of toads continues to thrive, albeit with a lot of support from dedicated volunteers — more than 50 of them helped out this year.”

Members of the patrol celebrated its 25th anniversary at the River & Rowing Museum last month.

Past and present volunteers attended, including baker Nicola Taylor, who brought a themed cake.

A collection was taken and a donation made to Froglife UK, an amphibian charity.

Angelina Jones, who organises the volunteers, said: “Migration has now ended for our local toad, frog and smooth newt population. Henley Toad Patrol volunteers have taken down the temporary barrier that prevents the amphibians from getting on to the busy and dangerous Henley to Marlow road.

“Our final task for this year is to get the last remaining returning amphibians back across the road and into Oaken Grove Wood. Then the last of the barriers can be removed and stored in a safe place until we do it all again for 2025.

“I am delighted that our dedicated team of toad patrollers has been able to help a record- breaking number of toads this year, on this our 25th anniversary.

“Since January, volunteers have been on site every night from dusk. It's incredible what can be achieved when you micro volunteer with a torch, a high viz and two buckets.”