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TOAD LIFT 2000. A SUMMARY |
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19th June 2000 TOAD LIFT 2000 David von Janowski, Marcus & Susan Phillips INTRODUCTION This report summarises the work associated with Saxon Gate Toad Lift 2000. There have been two previous reports, one covering 1999 and the initial report for 1998. These earlier reports can be viewed on the Toad Lift web site at http://clik.to/saxongate. PUBLICITY CEEFAX In February the Saxon Gate Toad Lift was mentioned on BBC ceefax pages. How the BBC came to hear about us is still a complete mystery as nobody has yet admitted to contacting them! ANGLIA TV In February, Anglia TV visited Saxon Gate, filmed some toads and interviewed toad lift volunteers. The item was shown on the 'Closer To Home' slot the following evening. 3 COUNTIES RADIO In March Marcus Phillips spoke on 3 Counties Radio to publicise the Saxon Gate toad lift and the Toad Tunnel. DAILY MAIL In September 1999 an article provided by David von Janowski answering the question 'How many frogs and toads are killed each year on our roads' was published in the Daily Mail. Figures from the Toad lift 1999 report were used to estimate potential losses if volunteers do not help toads across roads. BIGGLESWADE CHRONICLE The Biggleswade Chronicle published several articles throughout 1999 and early 2000 publicising the toad lift. WEB SITE The toad lift web site put Saxon Gate on the map. By using the internet, quite a few people on other toad lifts have been given help and advice on methods for rescuing frogs and toads on roads, primarily by either viewing the web site or by sending specific requests via e-mail. The web site has had over 1000 'hits' since being created in March 1999. The web site has also served to provide additional information to the media and sponsors. LIBRARY DISPLAY On January 17th a large display was put up in the library publicise the toad lift in Biggleswade and hopefully recruit some volunteers. LEAFLETS For toad lift 2000 over 300 recruitment leaflets were distributed locally by hand. It was clear from the results of last years' work that many more volunteers would be needed, despite the localised habitat destruction and development of housing. IVCP AND LAPWING The Ivel Valley Countryside Project produce a magazine 'The Post and Rail' which in December 1999 included an article on the Saxon Gate toad lift. BEDS NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY On 6th January at Elstow Village a talk on Irish Natterjack toads by Marcus Phillips was used to publicise the work at Saxon Gate. Although not a 'local' event, spreading the word for Saxon Gate did have some influence as several of this years' volunteers came from outside Biggleswade. This was also a good opportunity to put the 'feelers out' for setting up a Reptile & Amphibian Group in Bedfordshire. HABITAT ARCHAEOLOGISTS Prior to development of the Shop/community centre and skateboard park at Saxon Gate, archaeologists have been allowed to excavate a large area to the north west of the pond at Saxon Gate. This excavation in January destroyed much of the wildlife habitat north west of Saxon Gate. 'Before' and 'after' photographs have been put on the web site to show how destructive this excavation has been. SHOP AND COMMUNITY CENTRE In August 1999 MBDC circulated a questionnaire asking what people wanted from a short list of development proposals at Saxon Gate. There was no mention of a wildlife area or 'park' for residents. There was also no mention of a Skateboard park. NEW FLOOD PLAIN One of the requirements for the housing development was some means of collecting surface run off water to prevent localised flooding. This was achieved by working on a small area about 1/4 mile east of Saxon Gate. The flood plain has now been completed and provides some habitat for wildlife including amphibians. The first abandoned car has been noted. SKATEBOARD PARK Not included in the questionnaire were plans for building a skateboard park at Saxon Gate. Despite the large amount of already concreted areas in Biggleswade that could have been used instead, MBDC proposed, without consultation, to build the skateboard park at Saxon Gate, adjacent to the Saxon Pool. DESIGN BRIEF Working in parallel with the Saxon Gate Toad Lift and Ivel Wildlife Group, the Ivel Valley Countryside Project formulated a 'Design Brief'. This document details how to minimise the impact of urban development at Saxon Gate and should in due course lead to a full scale management plan. CHANGES TO THE SITE TOAD TUNNEL One benefit of the earlier housing development was the agreement by developers to lay a toad tunnel from the existing balancing pond to the open fields. The tunnel components were supplied by ACO, who are based in Shefford. The tunnel was installed in May 1999, too late for the amphibian migration. FENCING Included with the toad tunnel is approximately 100 meters of guide fencing. This fencing stops amphibians from crossing the road, forcing them to 'edge along' the fencing until then find a gap, which is the tunnel; this enables them to reach the pond without volunteers having to pick them up. NEW ROAD Towards the end of the 1999 migration a new road was laid finally cutting off the pond from the open fields. With this road the pond was almost entirely surrounded by tarmac. The worst thing about the road was the inclusion 26 drains for collecting surface run off, 26 traps with no means of escape for amphibians. MORE HOUSES Houses are being build over a large area of Saxon Gate, to the north and north east of the pond. This building work has destroyed wildlife habitat in the area and had an obvious impact on the wildlife at Saxon Gate’. RESCUE METHODS RAFTS In 1999 much experimenting with methods of rescue meant that we could implement effective rescue measures this year before commencement of the migration. The preferred method is to use polystyrene 150mm diameter pieces, one floated in each drain, to act as a refuge until volunteers can open the drains and free trapped amphibians. Without the rafts toads would either die of exhaustion from continual swimming, drown or suffer poisoning from pollutants washed into drains. TOAD TUNNEL PERMANENT FENCE The toad tunnel permanent fence is designed to prevent amphibians from getting on to the road. Unfortunately, the permanent fence has not been positioned correctly and offers no restriction to amphibians leaving the pond and heading south east, across the roundabout. The fence is also not really long enough to stop amphibians falling down some of the drains on the new road. Despite this, large numbers of frogs and toads were seen using the tunnel, able to make the 'final leg' journey without volunteers handling them. TEMPORARY FENCE This year a temporary fence, about 200 meters in length was erected by volunteers, effectively extending the north east permanent fence. Fence materials were donated by Travis Perkins of Hitchin. The fence is a simple construction of polystyrene sheet and wooden stick supports. The temporary fence did reduce the number of amphibians falling into drains and getting onto the new road by the balancing pond; it also survived some minor vandalism. The fence was dismantled at the end of May and can be used again next year. COLLECTION FROM THE ROAD The roundabout by the balancing pond proved to be the area most active for volunteers this year with almost constant 'two way amphibian traffic'. A large number of amphibians were also collected from the new road but most of these were leaving the pond. PEOPLE INVOLVED SAXON GATE TOAD LIFT VOLUNTEERS The first meeting of volunteers was on 27th February. 40 volunteers were organised into a weekly rota. Many volunteers ended up helping on a more regular basis providing assistance in erecting the temporary fencing and with completing the collection records. Some volunteers braved atrocious weather conditions, battling with driving rain and cold wind to ensure the frogs and toads completed their journey to and from the balancing pond. Without such dedicated volunteers many more amphibians would have either been squashed on the roads or drowned in the drains. IVCP The Ivel Valley Countryside Project is based on the first floor of Biggleswade Library. Some of the funding for the temporary fencing was provided by the IVCP. The IVCP have also liaised with Mid Beds District Council in formulating the design brief for Saxon Gate. IWG Some members of the Ivel Wildlife Group assisted with the toad lift and provided help in erecting the temporary fencing. WORK BEHIND THE SCENES THE PETITION After the toad lift of 1999 a petition to develop a 'pocket park' area and excavate a pond on the other side of the new road was signed by over 1000 people. The aim of the petition was to highlight the strength of feeling by local residents for a wildlife area at Saxon Gate. The petition was formally handed to Mid Beds District Council in November 1999. THE NEW POND The most important requirement for the frogs and toads of Saxon Gate is a pond on the other side of the new road, so that amphibians will not have to cross any tarmac. This will also reduce the effort required by toad lift volunteers each year. Emerging young amphibians will also have a clear route to the open fields east of Saxon Gate. THE DESIGN BRIEF Many people contributed to the design brief submitted to Mid Beds District Council by the Ivel Valley Countryside. The brief is intended to take into consideration the needs of the local community and the wildlife in providing a compromise solution to urban development at Saxon Gate. FORMATION OF BRAG On 16th May 2000 Bedfordshire saw the formation of a Reptile & Amphibian Group, 'BRAG'. The primary aim of the group is to act as a focus for the conservation of reptiles and amphibia in Bedfordshire. FINDING THE GREAT CRESTED NEWT On 31st October 1999 a Great Crested Newt was found in drain 1W at Saxon Gate.This unexpected find led to the discovery of GCN at a nearby site where they had been recorded in the 1960s. This species has been legally protected since 1981 but no notice was taken of its presence until we reported it. The laws need to be strengthened so that the onus is on planners and builders to check for endangered species themselves but in the meantime conservation groups have to investigate and register their status so the planners have to take notice. ANALYSIS OF THE MIGRATION NUMBERS Comparison with the total numbers rescued in 1999 give little initial concern for the welfare of amphibians at Saxon Gate. For last year and this year the total numbers rescued has remained stable at around 2200 (see graph figure 1), despite the almost total destruction of habitat to the north and west of Saxon Gate. DIRECTION However, a more detailed analysis revels some alarming, although unsurprising statistics. Almost all the amphibians counted came from the north east, east and south east. Housing development, archaeological excavation and habit destruction to the north, north west and west have drastically changed the migratory routes for most of the amphibians at Saxon Gate. Last years' toad lift consisted of two 'waves' of migration; one from the north and one from the south east. Awareness of the potential habitat destruction meant that most of last years rescued amphibians were released at safer sites to the east. MIGRATION TIMING Amphibian migration is influenced by several factors, including temperature, rain and length of day. This years' migration consisted of one major movement over about 8 days commencing on 3rd March. On the busiest evening almost 400 amphibians were rescued. Last year saw two migrations, the first smaller migration started on 28th February for about 4 days and peaked at 250 rescued on one evening, the second started on the 10th March and lasted for 7 days with 350 being rescued on the busiest evening. SPONSORSHIP AND FUNDING BEDS HIGHWAY AUTHORITY Beds Highway Authority very kindly designed and supplied experimental drain covers and agreed to lower the kerb near the worst roundabout drain. Not only was this of great value in dealing with the immediate problem but it created an important precedent and provided the opportunity for important statistical work on the efficacy of such measures. There seems to be some uncertainty over who who was responsible for the new road but both Beds Highway Authority and the site managers of the new developments agreed to our continuing experiments and mitigation measures on the drains. It was really encouraging to encounter such enlightened attitudes. IVCP The Ivel Valley Countryside Project paid for most of the temporary fencing. TARMAC The Yellow reflective jackets were supplied by Tarmac in 1999. ACO ACO of Shefford who manufacture toad tunnels and wildlife guide fencing have this year expressed an interest in providing some funding and publicity for the Saxon Gate toad lift. CONAMAR BUILDING SERVICES A large number of industry quality carpet tiles were provided this year by CONAMAR BUILDING SERVICES to enable drains to be covered during the movement of offspring from the pond. MID BEDS DISTRICT COUNCIL MBDC have already set aside funds for ‘environmental improvement’ at Saxon Gate which we hope will be strongly influenced by our design brief. MEAD END CHIP SHOP Mead End Chip Shop donated a colour printer to the Saxon Gate toad lift. SUPPORT FROM THE AUTHORITIES SAXON GATE POOL The staff at the Saxon Gate Pool have allowed us erect warning signs on the road and on their notice board alerting the public to watch for frogs and toads. Last year they allowed us to cordon off one section of the car park as offspring were leaving the pond. FIRE BRIGADE Biggleswade Fire Brigade have agreed to hose through the toad tunnel at the end of the migration period. POLICE Following one minor problem with boisterous youths the police increased their profile at Saxon Gate for a short while. No further troublesome incidents have occurred. WHAT NEXT ALERT PUBLIC TO WATCH FOR OFFSPRING The frogs and toads have produced spawn at the balancing pond; not so it appears, in the same quantities as last year. However, the young are expected to leave the pond some time in June/July and volunteers will be asked to help collect young from the road, car park and kerbs. CONCLUSIONS Destruction of a large area of the wildlife habitat at Saxon Gate has not at first sight done much to influence the amphibian population. However, were it not for the efforts of volunteers many frogs and toads would have been killed this year on the roads, in drains and as part of the habitat destruction. Consistent efforts are required to maintain pressure for MBDC to build a pond on the safe side of the new road, to develop the area in sympathy with wildlife and to provide an environment where local residents can appreciate the unique flora and fauna of Saxon Gate. LATEST NEWS (24/6/00) On 7th June there was a meeting with The Saxon Gate Toad Lift, Ivel Valley Countryside Project and ACO, the Toad Tunnel Manufacturers. As a result of discussions at this meeting, ACO have agreed to supply, at cost price, 250 meters of permanent guide fencing to the Ivel Valley Countryside Project for Saxon Gate. The fencing can be installed by volunteers as this is a relatively simple task. The Ivel Valley Countryside Project also gave the good news that a substantial (but as yet undisclosed) sum of money has been made available for improvements to the wildlife habitat at Saxon Gate. |
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