Off to Toad Hall.
Sunrise: 06.37 Sunset: 06.02
Mike Averill, the Worcestershire Dragonfly Recorder, and I made our way through the northern corridor this afternoon. We were on our way back from North Pond and the living otter holt; neither otters nor toads did we see.
I commented, as we waded through gloopy mud stirred into a smelly soup by the cattle, that it was the 9th of March when I noticed the male toads in North Pond last year.
Today has been a brilliantly warm and sunny day, and I reckoned that this was just the weather to wake the toads from their hibernation. I hardly finished the sentence when Mike spotted a well camouflaged toad crawling ahead of us.
This is it! The toad mating is about to begin. I know it is only one toad, but there will be many more following him. Next week will be my time for nighttime toad photography.
I shall get out and about looking too 🙂
Good!
🙂
One season, there were so many toads and I didn’t know that they came out onto the path in the dark, more than in the day, I couldn’t see them as I was walking along when the dark caught me later than usual, I accidentally kicked one and now I’m afraid to walk in the dark for fear of squishing one!
When toads wake from hibernation, Elisa, they move to their spawning ponds en mass.
Great shots, Mike.
I’m surprised you spotted this toad at all – great camouflage colouring.
Thanks, Vicki. I think it was the movement of the toad that Mike Averill spotted.
As you don’t like creepy insects, I am surprised that you have an interest in creepy toads. 😉
Very exciting! I love toads.
Thanks, Emily.
Aww toads are sweet, I certainly hope he gets some company soon.
He will have plenty of company.