APPENDIX 2: METHODS FOR DRAIN RESCUE

The report 'Toads On Roads, In Car Parks and Down Drains' was produced in 1998 by Marcus and Susan Phillips. As a result of this, in early 1999 a toad lift was organised and a subsequent 1999 report produced. This text forms Appendix 2 of the 1999 report and concentrates on the methods used to rescue amphibians from drains.

ABSTRACT
This appendix  evaluates the various measures employed to minimise amphibian losses from roads and drains.

INTRODUCTION
The pond is bounded by roads on the south, east and west which function as access roads to residential areas, to a new housing development and to the swimming pool car park. A boundary hedgerow running north to south has been retained. To the east of this is the new road. A toad tunnel has been constructed at the southern end of the new road. Building is continuing to the north and a linear wood some 45 metres deep is currently planned for the east, alongside the new road.

THE PROBLEMS
The road has TBCmm high kerbs and 26 gulley pot drains. There are only two dropped kerbs (TBC)  at the north end of the road. Land adjacent and parallel to the road on both sides was stripped of all vegetation, XM TBC on the east side and YM TBC on the west side. With no cover from vegetation the juveniles would be easy prey to magpies. Also, any traces of the adult migration routes would have been destroyed during construction of the new road.

RESCUE MEASURES
A variety of different measures were employed in an attempt to minimise casualties during the juvenile migration. None of the mesh used was intended to be effective in juvenile rescue.

MESH 20mm
20mm square wire mesh was placed in drains 3E and 5E towards the end of the adult migration. The mesh was shaped to provide a means of exit from the drain. The mesh hole size was not small enough to prevent adult amphibians falling through and was later replaced with the 10mm material.

NETLON 10mm
10mm square stiff plastic  'netlon' mesh was placed in drains 4W, 6W,7W 4E and 7E towards the end of the adult migration. The netlon pieces were not large enough to protect the drains and had to be stapled together  first. Two methods used for positioning the netlon, upturned in a 'u' shape and upright in an 'n' shape. The mesh size was found to be partially effective in stopping adults falling into the drains. The 'n' shape configuration provided an easier means of escape for trapped amphibians. the stiffness of the material made it difficult to form an ideal barrier in the drains and some adults were still managing to fall through. The sharp cut edges of the netlon proved to be a hazard when manipulating the material. If possible, a suitable alternative material should be used (see MESH 10mm).

MESH 10mm
10mm hexagonal galvanised wire mesh was placed in the remaining new road drains towards the end of the adult migration. This mesh was fitted in an attempt to prevent adults falling into the drains and was not intended to be effective in juvenile rescue. The mesh size was found to be effective in stopping adults falling into the drains. The pliability of the material  made it easy to form a good barrier in the drains. It was possible to stretch the wire into oblong shapes to obtain an 'ideal' fit in the drains. The exposed cut mesh edges were not so difficult to handle as the netlon. Once fitted, the numbers of adult toads and frogs falling into drains did appear to reduce; however, since the mesh was fitted at the end of the adult migration the quantitative effect cannot be determined. Drains that were not meshed continued to be occupied by adults. Some 'un-meshed' drains were later found to contain dead adults, several dead shrews were also found in these drains.

RAFTS
Rafts were made from 7mm thick white polystyrene. Initially, these were cut into 150mm squares (larger than the side pipe diameter)  but were later modified into octagon and circular shapes. The modified rafts were easy to retrieve using a net and could also be used to catch juveniles from the sides of drains. Of all the measures employed, rafts were the easiest, cheapest and most effective in saving amphibians, often being used by ladybirds, beetles and other insects. Their use does necessitate a vigilant patrol to clear the drains of amphibians. Toads are not strong swimmers and without the rafts, many would have drowned. The rafts made drain rescue easy; by looking at the raft one could determine 'occupancy' before lifting the drain cover, which often caused the amphibians to hide in the drain water or side pipe. Careful opening of the drain often made it possible to lift the raft whilst remaining almost fully occupied. Froglets and toadlets appeared to be more lively in the drains after dark but were less prone to vacate rafts. One raft in drain 12E(TBC) acted as a (Whatever, where the grass grows with no soil) allowing grass to grow. This provided cover for juveniles resting on the raft.