Toadwatch

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The Toadwatch campaign has been running in Jersey since 2005 and is a joint initiative between Durrell, the Jersey Amphibian & Reptile Group and the Environment Department of the States of Jersey.

Our Jersey toad (also known as the European Common Toad, Bufo bufo, and locally as the Crapaud) occupies a somewhat iconic status here in Jersey and was once a familiar sight in island ponds and waterways. Over recent years, however, it has been disappearing from areas where it was once common. Since 2005 therefore, conservationists here in Jersey, have been using information sent in by Jersey residents, through the Toadwatch campaign, to create an island-wide distribution picture of the toad, and to establish where it is still thriving.

We are delighted that the work that we are doing with the toad, together with many other local native species, is so well supported by the people of the island. As well as its projects overseas, working with and supporting the conservation of Jersey’s own native wildlife is an important part of the work of Durrell.

We now have over 300 separate records in our database with every parish represented to some degree and this total is always rising as we receive new information. This information has shown us that while toads have been declining in natural ponds for some time, they seem to be faring much better in private garden ponds and the vast majority of toad breeding populations in the island now appear to be in these sites. Our concern now is that although these ponds are often more protected from potential development, they frequently only support small (and possibly in the long-term non-viable) breeding populations of single numbers of spawning females. The majority of these garden sites are also only found in the west or south of the Island.

As part of the work of Toadwatch, we maintain a comprehensive database of toad breeding and general activity patterns – all of this information being taken from the reports we receive from islanders. Keeping us informed of what happens each year is therefore very important, as it allows us not only to continue to add to the database, but also to keep an eye on what is happening to toads across the island. In particular, detecting changes in patterns and numbers would allow the identification of any areas of concern to focus on. A continuing inflow of information will further advance research into the biology and conservation of our much-loved toad.

If you have a pond and/or toads in your garden and would like to join our campaign, please complete a reporting form over the next few months and send it to us here at Durrell. Alternatively you can email us at toadwatch@durrell.org or leave us a message on 860053.

Toads on Roads

2010 saw an exciting new initiative for the Toadwatch team with the launch of our “Toads on Roads” campaign - essentially a road-crossing patrol, or ‘lollipop’ service, for toads.

The Common Toad has to contend with a range of threats but there have been growing concerns over the last few years about the number of toads, many of which are female, being lost on the Island’s roads as they migrate to their breeding ponds early in the year. We knew that simply by helping them across the most dangerous blackspots, the Toads on Roads Campaign could potentially save hundreds of breeding adults every year. From reports received, we identified two sites to monitor where toads were likely to be crossing and vulnerable - Grands Vaux reservoir and Simon Sand in St Ouen.

Over the most critical migration period, and on wet and ‘warm’ winter nights, our team of volunteers collected more than 100 toads in buckets – picking them up from one side of the road, weighing and measuring them and recording all the details, before releasing them on the other side to head for the safety of the ponds.

Regular toad crossing patrols will be held again this year and if you would like to take part please email us at toadwatch@durrell.org or telephone 860053.