Toad Patrols Spring into Action

Submitted by edg on Wed, 28 Mar '12 9.43am

The Historic Scotland Rangers Service has put out a call for volunteers to leap into action and assist with the annual Spring migration of toads.

Early every morning Rangers carry out patrols to check the nooks, crannies and drains to ensure every toad gets to its destination safely.

“In winter the toads live around Arthur’s Seat and Dunsapie Loch," explains Katy Firth, a Ranger with the Historic Scotland Ranger Service at Holyrood Park.

"In order to get to where they spawn, they have to cross a public road with high kerbs. The problem is that when they are tired and hungry they can become disoriented and unable to make that last leap to safety... We need volunteers to help these amazing creatures cross the road safely.”

The annual ‘Watch Out, Toads About’ event will be taking place on Sunday 1st, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April.

Volunteers who would like to assist the Rangers with the Toad Patrols should email [email protected] or call 0131 652 8150 for further information.

Toad Exhibition

A free exhibtion to celebrate the annual toad crossing is being held in the Holyrood Park Information Centre on Horse Wynd from 25th March to 15th April, from 08.30 am to 5:15pm.

‘We Love Toads’includes prints and paintings by Emma Herman-Smith. On Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April there will also be repeated screenings of a short film about the early morning toad patrols.