Toad patrol in rural England aims to rescue amphibian population

BATH, England (Reuters) - Thousands of toads, frogs and newts inching through the damp undergrowth on their way to breed will arrive safely at their destination thanks to the efforts of dozens of volunteers, whose patrols are helping the local amphibian population thrive.

For six weeks in February and March, members of the Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group are out on manoeuvres, armed with torches and buckets to escort their charges across a country lane in this picturesque corner of southwest England, three miles from the scenic spa city of Bath.

Groups of volunteers brave the cold and dark evenings, searching for the toads, frogs and newts as they head downhill to a lake after waking from hibernation.

Their journey used to be much more dangerous, with about half killed. But alarmed by the fatalities they used to see on the road, locals set up the rescue group 22 years ago and with backing from the council the road is now closed during the amphibians' migration season.

"It has meant that toads, frogs and newts have been able to buck national trends and stand a fighting chance of flourishing," said Helen Hobbs, manager of the group.

The project is one of over 200 similar patrols across Britain, aiming to revive the country's toad population after habitat loss, road traffic and climate change led to declines of 70% over the last 30 years.

Hobbs' volunteers, aged between 16 and 88, walk up and down the lane wearing special chemical-free gloves. Upon spotting toads, frogs and newts on the tarmac, they carefully pick them up and put them in a bucket, returning them to the undergrowth on the other side of the road.

While the winter nights might not be a draw for all, the satisfying nature of the work -- one evening last week saw 700 toads, frogs and newts rescued -- means there are more than enough volunteers to staff the six-week period, the group said.

(Reporting by Toby Melville; Writing by Sarah Young; Editing by Peter Graff)