Little beauties Toads have been much maligned throughout history. Wart-fearing people shun them and husband-hunting princesses overlook them — all because they’re a little bit ‘ugly’.

But our relationship with toads is changing because — warts aside —toads are remarkable creatures. They are an important part of our national heritage, featuring in a number of children’s stories, and are a great addition to any garden. Toads happily hoover up nasties like slugs, snails and flies, and provide a food source for larger predators, such as hedgehogs and birds.

There is something endearing about the humble toad. They are not asking for the world — just a little love and consideration! But toads are finding life difficult as more and more ponds disappear from our countryside due to development and agricultural practices.

On the move Something exciting happens each spring across the UK: thousands of toads instinctively make the often treacherous journey from their hibernating place to a breeding pond. There they mate and a new generation of lovable toads comes into the world.

Our cities and towns pose a threat to this ritual. Busy roads often block the toad’s migratory path, making it difficult for them to reach breeding ponds. Every spring, roads around Oxfordshire are littered with 20 tonnes of unlucky toads. If more than 1,000 toads are known to hop across in a particular spot, it is dubbed a ‘toad crossing’.

Henley boasts the largest toad crossing in Oxfordshire with 6,580 toads recorded last year. A dedicated group of volunteers donate their time each spring to helping the toads safely reach the breeding ponds. Shuttling toads across busy streets in buckets may seem silly, but it is great fun and the toads definitely appreciate it!

Doing your bit Volunteering at a toad crossing is a great way to spend time outdoors and meet your neighbours. For more information on toads and to find crossings in your area, visit the Toads on Roads campaign website: www.froglife.org Another way to give toads a helping hand is to create a haven in your own garden by turning over a chipped flower pot or laying a couple of logs together to make a shelter. Or why not dig a pond to attract breeding toads? The toads that make your garden their home will repay you by eating pests by the thousands.

Toad spotting Visit BBOWT’s CS Lewis Nature Reserve, Risinghurst, above, or Abbey Fishponds, near Abingdon, below, to spot toads this February.

Look out for them spawning in the ponds. Toad spawn is very easy to spot as it forms jelly-like strings which are attached to plants — very different to the massive clumps of spawn frogs produce. Visit www.bbowt.org.uk to find out more.