A Somerset 'toad patrol' team who protect migrating amphibians from traffic risks is looking for volunteers.
The Clevedon & Portishead Toad patrol team helps toads, frogs and newts 'cross the road' in various sites at Clevedon and Portishead, with their movements duly recorded and monitored, and the data shared with national organisation, Froglife.
The volunteers walk the roads, rescuing amphibians that may have fallen down drains and assisting them across pavements which may be too tall for them to navigate.
A representative said: "We’re a small presence in Clevedon and Portishead, it’s fairly adhoc in terms of what volunteers can do."
The team updates each other when weather conditions appear favourable for the creatures, and they can tell the group which nights they will be available to check for movements.
The amphibian movement is weather dependent, with local forecasts being crucial.
Ideal conditions for such movement are mild temperatures above five degrees Celsius accompanied by rain.
The team is advised to monitor sites every evening if possible, especially during and after favourable weather patches.
The animals primarily move around dusk, from 6.30pm onwards.
Patrols usually only need to cover the earlier part of the evening when these creatures are most likely to encounter traffic.
The patrol group also conducts educational sessions with local Scout groups, sharing knowledge about local wildlife and their efforts to protect them.
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