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Islanders have been urged to be on the lookout for toads in the throes of love in anticipation of the season’s first spawn.
The Jersey Biodiversity Centre and the Jersey Amphibian and Reptile Group (JARG) are teaming up to keep tabs on the island’s toad population in the run up to breeding season.
The wildlife groups are urging islanders to log sightings of the amphibians (amorous or otherwise) in anticipation of the local crapauds spawning around this time of year.
Last year, the first breeding pair was spotted on 19 January and the first toad spawn was reported on 25 January.
Drivers, pedestrians and dog walkers have also been encouraged by the groups to be aware of the amphibians as they will likely be crossing roads as they migrate to ponds in order to mate and spawn.
Posting on social media, the JARG advises: “If you do see one along the road, as long as it’s safe to do so and there are no cars, you can move it to the nearest hedgerow [or] field entrance, preferably in the direction it was heading.”
So far this year, around six sightings of toads have been reported, with the first breeding pair spotted on 16 January in the very same garden pond in St. Brelade that was also the first to report a sighting last year.
Pictured: The first sighted breeding pair of this year, reported to the Biodiversity Centre and Jersey's Amphibian and Reptile Group (JARG/Bryony Nolan).
Any sightings of toads, spawn or tadpoles can be logged via the Biodiversity Centre’s website so that they can keep track of the breeding population in the island and the areas they congregate around.
A spokesperson for the Biodiversity Centre said: “We use this information to map where on the islands toads are breeding so we can protect these spaces for years to come. We also can see where toads are moving and if they are spotted on roads we will inform the JARG who conduct night-time walks to help the amphibians cross the roads as well as conducting toad surveys around the island.”
Lead picture: (JARG/Nick Parlett).
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