Warning: Toads mating


Can you imagine the road sign for this-

A country lane has closed for three months to allow toads to reach their mating grounds in safety.

The toads live in Norton’s Wood, near Clevedon in North Somerset, but make the annual trip to breed on the opposite side of the road.

Dozens of the creatures are squashed by cars driving along Norton’s Wood Lane, despite conservation efforts.

In 2005, Toad Patrol volunteers helped more than 1,000 toads across the road, working a shift system.

Toad Patrol co-ordinator Andrew Town said there were still a significant number of casualties.

The creatures make the journey to look for spawning grounds in the water-filled ditches, or rhynes, in the Gordano valley.

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