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Toad Detour Year Two (see Ap. 1, 2009)
2010.03.27
There's a warm rain and the toads have come out en masse to cross the busy roads around the Roxborough reservoir. To be efficient I pick up several toads, put them in the bucket and carry them to safety.
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This toad is in the middle of a large mud puddle and refuses to get out where I can reach him. A rain drop splats next to him just as I take his picture.
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There's an unmaneuverable wall around many parts of the reservoir, so I carry these lucky toads up the yellow brick road and let them out to continue their journey. At this point they can hear the other toads who have arrived before them and are calling to claim their territory. There's a great urgency to get there quickly! They all know what direction to go.
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Look at this determination!
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This female is carrying the male on her back. He grips her tightly around the neck. By gum, he's going to be in the perfect position to fertilize her eggs and have his genes carried on to the next generation.
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If carrying someone isn't hard enough, there is also the possibility of choosing a route with an eight foot stone wall in the way. These toads will eventually go around it (unless they are lucky enough to be picked up and carried) and get to where they are going. It's an exhausting route.
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A second male tries to get in on a good thing. Sometimes females have several males piled on top of them.
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Once a male hitches onto a female, he won't let go. He kicks at the interloper with a strong back leg.
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This photo clearly shows the size difference between the males and females.
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And this one shows the expression of an exhausted female as she maneuvers over a small twig. The male is simply no help in the migration process.
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The Roxborough reservoir (northwest Philadelphia)is the destination for the neighboring toads who are awakening from winter and heading there to lay eggs and have them fertilized. It's a tough journey and they need our help.
Last year the toads starting crossing the busy roads on Mar. 26 so the Toad Detour Project volunteers planned to barricade the roads starting then.
After five warm days and then several inches of warm rain, the toads rallied early and their mass migration started on Mar. 22. An emergency email was sent out and volunteers helped over 600 toads cross safely.
The migration continues and volunteers are welcome to sign up to help at ToadDetour.com.
Last year the toads starting crossing the busy roads on Mar. 26 so the Toad Detour Project volunteers planned to barricade the roads starting then.
After five warm days and then several inches of warm rain, the toads rallied early and their mass migration started on Mar. 22. An emergency email was sent out and volunteers helped over 600 toads cross safely.
The migration continues and volunteers are welcome to sign up to help at ToadDetour.com.
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I've never heard of that! Very interesting pictures and story.
????? · 2010-03-28: 00:14
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That was an amazing Post !! Great job on your part to save some Toads! Why don't they put in a culvert (drain pipe) for the toads to cross the road, underneath it ?? cd
catdad · 2010-03-28: 00:32
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Very interesting photos. Great work.
boszorka65 · 2010-03-28: 03:01
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Fabulous post. Great images of this event. The toads are so fortunate to have you guys to help them on their way.
SADHYA · 2010-03-28: 05:21
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very interesting!!!!!~
urmysunshine · 2010-03-28: 09:24
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That's so interesting fact and unique project. Thanks for sharing :)
????? · 2010-03-28: 13:41
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Thats so interesting, fantastic shots and reportage I love it the mankind helps them out, in my mind its a very honorable thing to do
mystic1 · 2010-03-28: 13:45
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This seemed like Wikipedia with photos! Quite amazing shots and narrative!
djnana · 2010-03-28: 20:31
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Great set! Lovely to know that you're doing your bit to help the toads continue to live :-)
girafferacing · 2010-03-29: 06:43
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Great job all round! The super photos,the interesting commentary and the detour project itself.Bravo
trippindelight · 2010-04-11: 09:54
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Great shots and a job well done !! cd
catdad · 2010-04-25: 01:34
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absolutely fantastic photos and wonderful commentary :)
brianhughes · 2010-05-17: 21:42
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2# is gorgeous!
pandka · 2010-11-08: 16:09
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i love a happy ending and love the images.
pickledherring · 2011-04-11: 22:52
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Love the pics! Such pretty frogs! Thanks! Say, I live in Tx, love my yard toads. Its been warm for weeks now: extra rain, this year! (San Antonio). No sign of my usual family of 4-5 toads! Why? Do I need to wake them? Yard's healthy. I don't use pesticide. What happened? Winter was mild. Plenty of june bugs, worms, etc. I'm worried. Ideas? Oh, more dog poop...but I clean it...
lisa Sheehan · 2012-04-02: 00:52
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