Kent Toads on Roads

Spring is a busy time for the Common Toad, waking up from hibernation and undertaking a treacherous journey to their breeding ponds. In Kent, there are many sites where Common Toads need to cross busy roads to complete their journey, and unfortunately many don’t make it to the other side. However, our team of volunteer toad patrollers make a huge difference each year helping thousands of toads to reach their ponds safely

01. Intro

Each year, in late February – March Common Toads wake up from hibernation and begin migrating to their breeding ponds to carry out the most important task of the year – spawning. They will return to the same pond year after year, often crossing roads just after dark, which in early Spring, coincides with rush hour traffic, meaning that many don’t make it to the other side.
The common toad is a declining species in the UK, with annual road fatalities potentially causing the disappearance of toads in some areas of our County altogether.
Fortunately, there is some hope for our local toads. KRAG is part of a UK network of volunteers, who gather together each spring to give toads a helping hand across our busy roads.

02. Project aims

Kent Toads on Roads is growing year on year, with amazing support from our volunteers. With this support we hope to achieve the following aims:

  1. Raise awareness of the difficulties Common Toads face during their annual migration and recruit local volunteers;
  2. Directly conserve the Common Toad by rescuing 1000s of individuals from roads and drains during the breeding season, ensuring successful breeding and halting the decline of this species in Kent;
  3. Support our volunteers during the busy patrol season; and
  4. Collect valuable data through this citizen-science project to enable further research into the status and conservation of the common toad locally and nationally.

03. How can I get involved?

Kent Toad Patrols

We are always looking for new toad patrollers, please visit the Froglife interactive map to find your nearest patrol site. Details of what is expected can be found in the Patrol Pack.

The project is open to all, with no previous experience or knowledge of amphibians required!  Please e-mail us to find out either about your nearest patrol or if you know a place where toads are being killed on roads and would like to set up your own patrol.

Can’t Patrol?…. you can still help!

We rely on our members and volunteers to be our eyes and ears around the County. There are likely to be many un-recorded toad crossings. If you notice any toads on roads, or you know of a road that could be a crossing site, please contact us.

04. Project Gallery