Since patrols began on 18th February, the response on Five Gates Lane has been incredible. From the amazing volunteers who’ve helped each evening to the drivers who slow down and those who stop to share kind words or ask what we’re doing, the support has meant so much.

That support is helping more than just toads. While our name focuses on toads, they’re not the only ones making the journey. Frogs and newts are also travelling to their breeding grounds, and our volunteers are there to help all amphibians crossing the lane.

In a short space of time, volunteers have helped safely across the road:

• Over 1,000 toads
• 75 frogs
• 5 newts

Every crossing matters.

We’ve also recorded 161 toad casualties, or “casualtoads” as we’ve come to call them. Each one’s a reminder of why this patrol exists. Losses on this stretch of road have been significant in previous years, and taking action this season is already making a visible difference.

Thank You to Fiducia Commercial Network

We’re very grateful to Fiducia Commercial Network for their generous donation towards our high-visibility vests.

Five Gates Lane is a 60mph road with narrow sections and blind bends, particularly in the dark and wet conditions we often patrol in. The high-vis vests help our volunteers stand out clearly to approaching drivers, giving everyone more time to react safely.

When you’re patrolling at the roadside at night, visibility matters. These vests are helping keep the toad patrol team safer while we protect wildlife.

The toads may not wear high-vis, but these vests are helping keep the people protecting them safe.

In the Spotlight as Migration Begins

We were pleased to welcome Sarah-May Buccieri from BBC Lincolnshire on Sunday evening as migration officially got underway. Sunday was the quieter of the weekend patrols, with 15 toads helped safely across the road, a reminder that each night on the lane can look very different.

Across Saturday and Sunday combined, volunteers guided 256 toads safely across the road.

Earlier in the week, we were joined by Cara Bostock from Hits Radio Lincolnshire. That evening alone, volunteers helped over 400 toads cross safely.

Some evenings bring significant movement, while others are more gradual. Every patrol still counts.

Community Effort on and off the Road

Some of our volunteers also came out early to litter pick along the lane before patrol began. Kate and Steven Rose spent an hour clearing the roadside and collected a full bag of litter between them.

There’s a significant amount of litter along Five Gates Lane, and it doesn’t just look unsightly. It has a real impact on the local environment and the wildlife that calls this area home. Their help in clearing sections of the lane makes it safer not only for volunteers working at the roadside, but for the amphibians making their journey too.

The level of commitment shown by everyone involved has been incredible.

Growing Support as Migration Progresses

Warmer, wetter evenings are still ahead, and we’re expecting busier nights as migration progresses.

Rotas are filling up quickly. With so many people stepping forward to help, we’ve been able to increase the number of patrol slots available each evening. Five Gates Lane is longer than it first appears in the dark, and having more volunteers out means we can cover it more safely and effectively.

As a new patrol, we’re still learning where the main crossing points are. Toad movement can vary from night to night depending on the weather, and it isn’t always easy to predict where the busiest spots will be. While we’ve seen activity between Bellmount Tower and the Belton end of the lane, we’ve also recorded significant numbers crossing near the Londonthorpe side. That’s why we’re now working to cover from the Belton end of Five Gates Lane to Bellmount Tower car park.

More than 70 people have come forward to support wildlife here, which is something we’re incredibly proud of.

If you’re travelling along Five Gates Lane during migration season, please take extra care. Slowing down and staying alert really does make a difference.

Over 1,000 toads have already reached the right side of the road thanks to everyone who’s stepped forward to help and the wider community who continue to support the patrol.