TOAD Hall it might not be but piles of logs and turf are a welcome protection for toads migrating to Bodenham Lake Reserve.

On Saturday children constructed refugia piles for toads which are migrating from their winter hideaways in the woods to the Bodenham lake.

The toads return to the same breeding ground every year and to help them settle in children made the toads extra refuge out of gravel, logs, turf and leaf litter.

It is part of the Go Toads! Community Project run by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Herefordshire Amphibian and Reptile Team and St Michaels’s CE Primary School.

Hayley Herridge from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust said: "They will provide extra protection for migrating amphibians coming down from the woods.

"It means they will stay close to the lake and prevent them from crossing the road."

The Falcons of 1st Marden and District Navigators group helped build the toad houses. 

Toad patrols are still being carried out on the road next to the lake to make sure toads cross the road safely.

The common toad is now in decline in the UK, mainly caused by road mortalities as the toads follow the same route when they are migrating.

But the ideal migrating weather of a sustained warm period with damp conditions has not arrived yet.

Hayley said:"If you get perfect weather they will move on mass. It has been said that you can see hundreds in one evening.

"As we do not have the perfect conditions they have been moving in dribs and drabs."

On Saturday evening conditions were the best to date.

The toad patrol helped 34 male toads and three female toads cross the road and counted 44 toads by the waterside. Sadly they found nine dead on the road.

But this number has improved as when they carried out their first toad patrol in mid February they helped 25 cross and found 25 dead.

Hayley explained why you will also find toads sitting in the roads: "Males come out and they sit along the road and wait for females. It is the perfect vantage point for toads. They sit up on their forelegs looking around and waiting."

To get involved with the patrols contact Hayley Herridge on 01432 356872/07341 736186 or email h.herridge@herefordshirewt.co.uk

There is a WildPlay Day on Wednesday, April 6 from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve. On Saturday, May 7 from 11am to 1pm there will be a celebration to thank everyone involved in the project.