Toads.

Jim Ford · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:00 PM

I spotted a large female toad under a log in the garden today (6th Aug.):

A always thought that toads only went into the water in the breeding season, but this one has obviously just come out of our pond, as it's covered with duckweed!

Jim

ron1863 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:02 PM

Nice shots Jim, only seen one this year

loripo · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:37 PM

Isn't she lovely (I'm singing to her photo - whicj I've saved as a favourite.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:42 PM

Cool

. I like toads they are such characters.

Naturenutz · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:45 PM

nice big toad,i saw hundreds today,i was at work and every now and then we have to strim the public right of way through our works.there must have been thousands in the long grass.I rescued at least 100 and saw many more mostly this years about 20mm long but some bigger.I asked the guys not to strim too low and we never saw one that got strimmed thank god.I didnt like doing the strimming but we were under orders to get it done this week as the public had complained. Not sure if theres any law that protects them like great crested newts.felt like downing tools .Also thousands of grasshoppers,and wild flowers,not a nice job when your nature nutz,but thankfully we only do it twice a year.

loripo · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 08:04 PM

I'm not sure if there's a way that he strimming could be done in the 'correct' time to help the toads, have a look on
Froglife - conserving native frogs, toads, newts, lizards, snakes
that might suggest a tactic that wont cost you yourjob!

Monkey Orchid · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 08:09 AM

She's a beauty! Been a while since I saw one in our garden, although I'm hoping they're still around.

Reminds me of my days helping out with a toad patrol in east Berkshire - ferrying toads across a busy road in buckets throughout the evenings, to minimise the squashed roadtoadkill when they were travelling to an adjacent lake for breeding. They are such impressive creatures.

lottie03 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 07:48 PM

Great photo! How can you tell this is a female? I am trying to figure out whether I have toadlets in my garden - can't tell the difference between froglets and toadlets yet, but once I figure out how to upload my photos would appreciate your opinions.

Naturenutz · #9 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 09:57 PM

hi lottie. toads tend to walk as much as they do hop.Also there skin is dry looking,where as a frogs skin usually looks sleek and often shiny and they tend to hop alot more.Im sure someone will describe them better than me

lottie03 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naturenutz

hi lottie. toads tend to walk as much as they do hop.Also there skin is dry looking,where as a frogs skin usually looks sleek and often shiny and they tend to hop alot more.Im sure someone will describe them better than me

Hi Naturenutz, thanks for your reply. Have started a separate thread with my photo. From what you're saying I think they are definitely toads

Is this a Baby Toad?