frogs and newts in a storm drain

[wilddawn]

Can frogs, toads and newts get out of a storm drain?

I noticed a lot of frogs/toads in a couple of drains, they where there in the morning and still there the next day and some wheren't looking too healthy. So my daughter and I went back after school with a net and fished them out. Out of 2 drains we pulled 27 frogs and 3 newts, most of the frogs where paired up. Today I walked past and could see another newt and a couple of frogs down the drain.

The drains are on an access road that runs across a bridge over a small river. I've walked across the bridge on the school run for years and have never seen the frogs apperantly stuck in the drains before. They recently did a lot of work on the bridge is it possible they've changed something thats now causing problems for the wildlife?

[Owen81]

Well done for resucing the frogs Dawn. Think how many other places around the country this could happen too.

[wilddawn]

I wouldn't have been able to sleep last night if I thought they where stuck down there suffering, having a small child is a good excuse for what some might see as odd behaviour (I've had some odd looks from other parents when I've been helping frogs off the road).

Not nice to think frogs could be filling up the drains across the country, not good for the frogs or us I would think!

[Gill Catton]

I'm afraid I think they do fall in quite frequently and can't get out, I was involved in some work to replace a sewage pipeline and in opening the man hole cover of a valve there were a number of skinny newts, frogs and a toad in there they must have fallen through the 'key' holes of the man hole cover when still tiny and have existed on god knows what since then (I think they have very very slow metabolism when required) perhaps there are enough insects emerging from the soil of washed in and then when bigger they would eat the tiny youngsters that fall in as they did- so sad!!
I always specify man hold covers with no holes now.

Also I remember when I first started my job that there was work going on to re-design 'gully pots' used in road drainage so that amphibibians could get out of them, this must then mean that there are non-amphibian safe gully pots all over the country as the new pots tend to go in new roads as far as I know they're not retro-fitted sadly.

I just try not to think about it too much.......

[wilddawn]

Thanks for your reply Gill, I was a bit worried that I might be interfering unnecessarily.

Poor things, I'm going to keep checking and pull out any that I see stuck.

[meinchewster]

a site very local to me with a newly installed access road has drains running down every 10 meters, unfortionately, located 100 yards away is a series of breeding ponds so every night during the breeding season and then the following emergence of juveniles, myself, girlfreind and dog have to go out releasing the trapped amphibians, mainly toads in this case.

i often wonder how such details are overlooked at the planning stage but i guess small details like this are missed all the time.

atleast there are some vigilant folks out there to make important differences.

[lizard orchid]

Originally Posted by wilddawn

Can frogs, toads and newts get out of a storm drain?

I noticed a lot of frogs/toads in a couple of drains, they where there in the morning and still there the next day and some wheren't looking too healthy. So my daughter and I went back after school with a net and fished them out. Out of 2 drains we pulled 27 frogs and 3 newts, most of the frogs where paired up. Today I walked past and could see another newt and a couple of frogs down the drain.

The drains are on an access road that runs across a bridge over a small river. I've walked across the bridge on the school run for years and have never seen the frogs apperantly stuck in the drains before. They recently did a lot of work on the bridge is it possible they've changed something thats now causing problems for the wildlife?

Dear Wild dawn and all,
Here in Northamptonshire at Crick and Long Buckby every year there are two sites where Great Crested Newts have to cross roads to get to their breeding ponds. Once on the road if they don't get run over they then hit the high kerb edges which they follow until they fall into the drains. Every year I am pulling them out as well as Comon Newts, Toads and Frogs. One trick that I do to help the amphibians out of the water in the drain where they could drown is to cut up into squares pieces of polystyrine and drop into the drain to act as a float. These work brilliantly. I have had six newts the other week on one piece alone and the other night a toad, Great Crested and a Smooth Newt sitting on another. At least the amphibians can get out of the water until I can get along to help them out of the drains each week. Also the kind people of the estates keep their cars off the drain covers which makes easier access for me to get at the drains.
I am sure thousands of amphibians across the country die in drains every year in almost every town and village across the UK. Well done to you all who help them out of the drains!

Brian Laney Northamptonshire County Recorder for Reptiles and Amphibians.

[wilddawn]

Thanks for that good idea, will find something to pop down the drain for them to sit on

Haven't had any frogs or toads for awhile now but I'm still finding newts.

[brenbee]

I've got common newts in my pond. Last night I was out with my torch & saw one of last years young. They're now about 2inches long & quite thin, but developing nicely.

[Africa]

A few weeks ago, the kids and I got 15 frogs out of the drain in our back access lane, a newly fitted drain covered with a drill with large gaps (the old ones have little holes which get clogged easily but would be difficult for a frog or toad to fall into). Several were paired and in that night they laid 5 balls of spawn in our pond (which had been frog-less until then). Today, we rescued a solitary toad. We will keep watch although this probably will only happen in mating season.
This is Mr Toad, probably happy to see the light again. I was also so happy to see a toad. It's been ages and I am glad they are breeding somewhere in our neighbourhood.
I was wondering if we could fit some kind of 'amphibian ladder' so that they can climb out?