Toads

I couldn't find a recent thread and wondered if that was because toads (and others) are in decline. I can remember the days when as kids we could lift any plank of wood in the garden and they'd be newts and toads underneath. Despite toads being missing from the garden, I keep finding them under mulch sheets at the plot.

 

Not seen one for a while, we got a few Newts and Slow Worms, think one had overwintered in the caravan, judging by the pile of poo in the bottom cupboard

 

Not for two years now, very much in decline, as a rule the travel to the same pond to breed every year unlike Frogs which will spawn it any pond.

 

I generally find several a year, although if I wanted one for any reason I doubt if one could be found.
Slow worms and Grass snakes can generally be found in and around the compost heaps.

 

After getting evicted from the barn that they thought was theirs, our toads have taken up residence under the weed-suppressing geotextile. Strangely, whereas the UK toads mingled quite happily with frogs, sometimes to the point of producing togs and froads, over here I've never seen toads in the pond, or their necklaces of spawn. Perhaps they're shy?

 

Lots of toads where I keep the bees , I have old piece's of carpet in front of each hive to stop the grass growing and the times I lift the carpet always one under each piece probably catch the bees that havnt made it into the hive before it gets dark.
I have slow worms at the bottom of the garden have put a piece of corrugated other side of the fence that keep them safe and sound and a good old warn during the day

 

It does seem that plastic/carpet mulches attract them. @Spruce I place squares of corrugated iron around grassy areas but only get grass snakes under them (and they lay their eggs in my open compost heaps).

 

did you give the toad a kiss? it might have turned into a prince

 

We got a few toads here, at night we have to look were we walking as we could step on one, i some times find them in the soil were the spuds are so you have to be carefull dig the spuds
we got newts as well