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County in for 'late toad migration' this year

Maisie Lillywhite
BBC News, Gloucestershire
Getty Images A common toad floats in shallow water in a pondGetty Images
The volunteers in Gloucestershire help common toads, like this one, cross roads to their ancestral breeding ponds

A volunteer who helps amphibians cross roads so they can mate says Gloucestershire is in for a late toad migration this year.

Cat Marfell, the volunteer administrator at Gloucestershire Toads on Roads, said there are now more than 35 patrols taking place at spots across the county.

Migration season, which occurs any time between January and April, sees toads, frogs, and newts travel to water to breed.

"It's been quite warm and we were out patrolling in February, and then it's not really been warm again until Wednesday," Ms Marfell said.

The ideal conditions for an amphibian migration is a mild and wet night, she added.

While there has been plenty of sunshine recently in Gloucestershire, the nights have been frosty, putting toads off from making the trip to their ancestral ponds from overwintering spots.

"Toads tend to be really loyal to the breeding pond. If you mark them, you might see the same toad going back to the same pond year-on-year," Ms Marfell said.

While newts are also loyal to their breeding spots, Ms Marfell said frogs are "a bit more 'whatever'", and are happy to spawn and breed in "a deep puddle".

A woman in her 30s with a ginger frizzy ponytail stands on a road side at night, holding a yellow bucket and a torch. She is wearing a hi-vis tabard, a blue jacket, and black leggings. A car with its headlights on can be seen whizzing behind her.
Cat Marfell said not much other than "a strong torch, a hi-vis, and a bucket" are needed on toad patrols

In 2024, England experienced the warmest February on record, with an average temperature of 7.5°C, while February 2025 had an average temperature of 5.3°C.

A third of all amphibian crossings in 2024 were observed on 15 February, but Ms Marfell does not believe we have witnessed 2025's "Big Night" yet.

"It was quite warm and we were out patrolling in February and there were quite a few patrols happening," she said.

"I think we're on for a late migration this year but amphibians aren't predictable.

"They might come out in the middle of the night when we're safely tucked up in bed, - it might rain and become the perfect conditions."

'Slow down'

Patrols often take place on roads with no pavements or street lighting, at night.

Ms Marfell asked drivers to "slow down and take in their surroundings" in toad hotspots, which are sometimes denoted with a road sign.

"It's just a bit of courtesy to slow down for them and let them help your local wildlife," she said.

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