New project to save our toads

The common toad is under threat and Kent Wildlife Trust has launched a bid to aid its survival.

Recently listed as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, toad populations have been declining across the country.

Experts say this could be caused by habitat loss – including ponds and terrestrial habitat – and deaths on roads during the breeding migration.

Toads will travel up to one kilometre from their terrestrial habitat to breeding ponds and are particularly vulnerable as they cross the roads.

Dr Paul Tinsley-Marshall, conservation evidence ecologist at the Kent Wildlife Trust, said changing agricultural practices and climate change could also be contributing to the decline.

“In Kent there are nine ‘toad crossings’ with active toad patrols,” he said. “In 2016, at the Holbeam West site, toad spawn was recorded for the first time, and our conservation efforts in our Living Landscapes throughout Kent aim to increase habitat connectivity to benefit toads, among many other species.”

The Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group has also launched a project to gauge toad distribution in the county. Getting Toads Out of a Hole identifies important breeding and terrestrial habitat sites.

Visit www.kentarg.org/Projects/ getting-toads-out-of-a-hole.