If you have been on the roads around Croyde and Georgeham over the last few evenings, you may have noticed a few mad souls wandering around in the dark in hi-vis jackets, adorned with head torches, and carrying buckets. My son Edd and I have been among them, for the temperature has finally risen a little (believe it  or not) and the dry spell has definitely gone, so the toads are coming out of hibernation with just one thing on their minds.......

Toads apparently always head back to the pond they were born in, when it comes time for them to spawn. The trouble is, that this is often on the other side of a road, or a wall, or both. Hence the large number of squashed toads that can be seen in the spring in certain areas.

Bands of volunteers do a really good job of helping them, and according to the website www.froglife.org, 40,000 toads are on course to be rescued this year. It's nice to think that our 30 or so this week will contribute to that figure!

Go to www.froglife.org/toadsonroads for details of how to volunteer, or contact Tracey Berridge, local co-ordinator, who also runs Puppy Gurus.

Photo by Edd Dyer