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Belmont Toad patrol 2020

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 9:15 am
by paul b
In 2018 patrolling began on 7th April and in 2019 it was 20th March -with temperatures now generally rising, lighter evenings and dampness(!) we should get ready to go I think.

Just to confirm I will be going up there this year, lack of symptoms permitting;hopefully so will many of the regular patrollers but obviously health issues are in everyone's minds-so we will have to see what happens.

I have ordered some road signs -not arrived yet-when they do I'll be putting them up. Any help appreciated.

Please check torches and any other equipment. We have "Chorley Nats" lanyards available (is this OK David?); hopefully Paul can supply buckets (is this OK Paul?)

Please remind yourself of the advice given by FrogLife.

Any questions/comments , please reply. Hope to see you soon -fingers crossed for a productive migration.

Re: Belmont Toad patrol 2020

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 11:36 pm
by MarkF
I will be up there as well, Paul. Regardless of whether we intend to patrol them, have we identified any other toad hot spots in the borough? Just interested, that's all.

Re: Belmont Toad patrol 2020

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 2:48 pm
by paul b
Mark
There is apparently a Toad patrol in the Gillibrand estate but whoever runs it does not respond to enquiries via Froglife so .....

New member, Peter Clare, contacted you about toads in Mawdesley if you remember-I went up and met him. He thinks he can manage the situation without setting up an official TP but I will keep in touch with him just in case.

No-one else ever gets back when I suggest there must be other sites in our area where toads get killed -can but ask.

Re: Belmont Toad patrol 2020

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2020 3:02 pm
by paul b
Thanks to Paul H who assisted on the getting road signs up -very cold in the biting wind but they look good (and effective) I think.

No sign of toads, so a little while yet perhaps to when migration starts it seems

Re: Belmont Toad patrol 2020

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 11:28 am
by DavidM
Hi Paul,
Let me know your first trip & I'll bring the hi-vis tabards. That said, I suspect, traffic wise, the roads will be very quiet indeed. With all the pubs & resturants closed along with many people not going to work or travelling at all, the traffic volume should be considerably reduced. I'm aware however that sometimes 'boy racers' use these roads we'll just have to suck & see.
David

Re: Belmont Toad patrol 2020

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:09 pm
by paul b
I've received this message
"Dear Patrol Managers:
Following the latest Government guidance we now need to stay at home. This means that most of us will no longer be able to continue with toad patrols. We understand the impact this will have on toads and other amphibians, but these are exceptional circumstances. There will be less traffic which we hope will reduce the effect on the toads.

Government guidance allows for one walk per day, so we are aware some people in very rural areas are taking this one walk along their toad patrol route. It is important to stay 2m away from other people, and of course stay safe.

Thank you for continuing toad patrols for as long as you could. From Froglife we wish everyone well.

With Best Wishes from the Froglife Team

Ashlea Mawby
Toads on Roads Coordinator"

I am asking for opinions -please reply here, text me or PM.

My view is if I am healthy I will go and patrol. I will not put anyone at risk and therefore will keep a safe distance from anyone else. I will accept the risk if FrogLife say I ignored advice and therefore are not covered by any insurance. Interesting point in second sentence above -"most of us"?!

Your participation is, in my view, your choice -so if you come, great news; if you feel you cannot, no problem.
Thanks.
Paul

Re: Belmont Toad patrol 2020

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:13 pm
by tony
My view is that we should just stay at home as the gov advise, my wife and I will not be joining the patrol this year.

Re: Belmont Toad patrol 2020

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:41 pm
by Paul Hodson
I'm afraid I have to agree with Tony that we should take the Governments and Froglifes advice, the consequences of catching and/or passing on this virus are too great to risk.
It's very disappointing but I'm sure that there will be much less traffic on the roads anyway

Re: Belmont Toad patrol 2020

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:20 am
by paul b
Steve Martin reports that the migration has started with small numbers of casualties- hopefully with probable reduced traffic, there will be onlty a few deaths this year.