Written by Jacquie Jones, Patrol Manager
Looking Back on Our 2026 Toads on Roads Season
As another Toads on Roads season comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on what has been an incredibly rewarding few months.
With our last two patrol nights recording zero crossings, and the clocks changing to bring lighter evenings, it’s clear that this year’s amphibian migration has now finished. While it’s always a little sad to pack away the buckets and high-vis jackets for another year, it’s also a great opportunity to celebrate everything we’ve achieved together.
Our 2026 Totals
This season, volunteers safely helped:
- 1,894 toads
- 12 frogs
- 38 newts
Sadly, we also recorded 209 toads killed on the road.
That means a total of 2,153 amphibians were safely assisted during the 2026 migration period — an amazing achievement and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved.
Thank You to Our Volunteers
None of this would be possible without our fantastic volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who gave up their evenings, stood out in the cold, wind and rain, and remained committed to protecting local wildlife. The support, kindness and teamwork shown throughout the season have once again been outstanding. This group continues to be welcoming, respectful and genuinely caring, and that spirit is what makes such a difference year after year.
Comparing 2026 with Previous Years
Looking back at last year, the results are particularly encouraging.
2025 totals:
- Toads saved: 1,497
- Toads found dead: 258
Compared with 2025, this year saw:
- 397 more toads saved (+26.5%)
- 49 fewer toad deaths (-19%)
- An increase in the estimated survival rate from around 85% to approximately 90%
Looking further back:
2024 totals:
- Toads saved: 738
- Toads found dead: 118
Across the last three recorded seasons, we’ve seen a substantial increase in the number of amphibians encountered and safely assisted. The number of toads helped across the road has risen every year, highlighting both the importance of the patrol and the dedication of the volunteers who make it happen.
The Bigger Picture
Since the patrol was first established, our records show a steady upward trend in the number of amphibians encountered and successfully helped across the road.
This pattern reflects both increased survey effort and the remarkable behaviour of breeding amphibians, which return to the same breeding sites year after year. Reducing road mortality is widely recognised as an important factor in supporting healthy local populations, so every amphibian safely guided across the road really does matter.
Contributing to National Conservation Efforts
I’m also pleased to say that our final 2026 data has now been submitted to Froglife and will contribute to the national Toads on Roads monitoring programme. Every record collected helps build a better understanding of amphibian populations and migration trends across the country.
Until Next Year…
For now, the patrol season is over and the amphibians have safely reached their breeding sites.
Thank you once again to everyone who took part, supported the project, shared updates, and helped spread awareness. Together we’ve made a real difference for local wildlife, and that’s something we can all be proud of.
We’ll be back next season.
If you’d like to follow our work or find out more about getting involved, visit our Facebook group here.
See you on the roadside in 2027!