Toads at the Painters Forstal site near Faversham, where thousands of the amphibians are helped across the roads in late February/early March

Could you spare some time to help a toad across a road?

An appeal has been launched to help the county’s declining toad population, which suffers every spring when thousands are run over on roads and country lanes.

And one of the biggest migration areas is a country lane at Painters Forstal, Faversham.

In late February and early March, common toads wake up from hibernation to begin migrating to their breeding ponds.

They return to the same pond year after year, often crossing roads just after dark, which in early spring, coincides with rush hour traffic, meaning that many don’t make it to the other side.

But there is hope for our local toads, thanks to the Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG), which is organising volunteer patrols to help the amphibians.

There are areas in Kent with amazing populations of toads in need of help.

Last year in Painters Forstal, almost 2,000 toads were carried in buckets from one side of the road to the other, many of which would have met certain death had it not been for their human helpers.

This year KRAG is looking to recruit new toad patrollers who can help with crossings, like the one near Faversham, and investigate new sites within the county.

So if you have a little spare time in the evenings of early spring and would like to make a real difference to your local wildlife, your toads need you!

You will not need any previous experience, nor do you need to be an expert in amphibians.

All you need is a little enthusiasm and as much time as you feel you can give. Even just an hour can make a huge difference to local toads, meaning the difference between life and death.

A meeting for volunteers is being held at Brogdale, Faversham, on Wednesday, January 30, at 7.30pm.

n For further information phone Amy Wright on 07919 922005 or visit www.kentarg.org