The Wymondham Toadwatch group has put out a call for much-needed volunteers! If you are interested in wildlife conservation and would like to help the local toads, contact Georgette at wymondham@toadwatch.org.

Georgette told the magazine: “The common toad is in decline in the UK. Every year, they return to their ancestral ponds to spawn, but they need our help crossing the roads.

The season is usually mid-February and March, although it depends on the weather.

Volunteers work in pairs and typically do an evening about once a week wearing high visibility jackets.

In this area, we particularly need help at Carleton Forehoe (the bridge), Wramplingham Road/Youngmans Road.”

In other news, Georgette has recently been awarded a certificate in Froglife’s Newt Year Honours list. She said, “Thank you so much for the Newt Year Award. Thanks also to John Heaser for the nomination.

I have been helping toads cross the roads for about 11 years now and have been coordinating volunteers in the Wymondham area for about 8 of those years. I honestly feel that as far as we humans are concerned - if we want to drive our cars - then it is the least we can do to prevent other species declining further. It is something practical that we can get involved in. It can be hard work trying to rally the troops when you don’t know exactly when they will be needed. Nevertheless, we have a great bunch of people who are willing to turn out and they all deserve awards. The spring-time camaraderie is second to none.”

Photo by this author is licenced under CC BY 3.0.