Toads & Wildlife

The species most affected by road crossings during spring migration

Toads & Wildlife

The species most affected by road crossings during spring migration

Why Common Toads Matter

Common toads play an important role in the local ecosystem by controlling insect populations and supporting biodiversity.

Populations across the UK have declined due to habitat loss, road traffic and changes in land use. Protecting migration routes helps maintain stable local populations.

Toads vs Frogs

It can be difficult to tell the difference between toads and frogs, especially at night. Toads tend to walk rather than hop, move more slowly, and travel further during migration, which makes roads particularly dangerous for them. The points below highlight some simple ways to tell them apart.

Toads

Dry, bumpy skin
Walk rather than hop
Travel long distances during migration

Frogs

Smooth, moist skin
Hop and jump
Stay closer to water

Other Wildlife on Five Gates Lane

Five Gates Lane and the surrounding countryside support a wide range of local wildlife throughout the year. The mix of hedgerows, woodland edges, grassland and ponds creates an important corridor for animals moving between habitats.

Alongside toads and frogs, volunteers and residents may also spot:

Mammals
• Deer crossing between woodland and fields
• Hedgehogs moving between hedgerows
• Foxes and stoats travelling along field edges and rural lanes
• Small mammals such as mice and voles
Amphibians
• Newts, particularly during damp evenings
Birds and bats
• Bats feeding over fields and water
• Owls and other birds active at dusk

Extra care when travelling along the lane helps protect not just migrating toads, but the wider wildlife that relies on this area.

Deer

Deer are graceful mammals that move quietly through woodland edges and open fields. They are most active during early morning and evening and play an important role in shaping local vegetation.

Hedgehog

Hedgehogs are small mammals covered in protective spines. They rely on connected green spaces to forage for insects, worms and beetles and are increasingly vulnerable to habitat loss.

Red Fox

Foxes are intelligent and adaptable animals found in both rural and built-up areas. Mostly active at night, they help manage rodent numbers and move along hedgerows and field edges.

Stoat

Stoats are slender mammals known for their speed and agility. They hunt small mammals and can be active during both the day and night.

Vole

Voles are small rodents with short tails that create runways through grass and vegetation. They play a vital role in supporting birds of prey and other wildlife.

Field Mouse

Mice live in hedgerows, grassland and woodland edges. They are an important food source for many predators and help spread seeds through their foraging activity.

Pipistrelle Bat

Pipistrelle bats emerge at dusk to feed on flying insects. They often roost in trees, roofs and bat boxes and play an important role in controlling insect populations.

Tawny Owl

Tawny owls are nocturnal birds that live in woodland, hedgerows and rural areas. They are best known for their distinctive call and hunt small mammals such as mice and voles under cover of darkness.

Badger

Badgers are strong, social mammals that live in family groups in underground setts. Mostly active at night, they forage along hedgerows and field margins for worms, insects and plant matter and are an important part of the local ecosystem.

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Common Toad

Common toads have dry, bumpy skin and are best known for their annual migration to breeding ponds. They help control insect populations and are a key part of local wildlife.

Frog

Frogs spend much of their lives on land but return to ponds in spring to breed. Their smooth skin and powerful back legs make them excellent jumpers and swimmers.

Smooth Newt

Smooth newts breed in ponds during spring before spending most of the year on land. They are sensitive to pollution and indicate good environmental health.

Get Involved

Want to volunteer, ask a question, or follow migration updates?

Get in touch to join the patrol or learn more about how to help protect toads on Five Gates Lane.