Tiny toads rescued from the chop before the mower comes out
Cutting grass is a task I detest undertaking, particularly being a hay fever sufferer. Having a pet dog means grass cutting at home is a necessary evil.
I need to keep the small patch of grassed lawn at the rear of the house relatively short to allow the successful removal of the regular deposits associated with dog ownership.
As the dreaded mower is once again brought out of the shed, I always first check the grass for any doggy deposits before starting any cut. Suddenly I see movement in the long grass and to my delight I spot a tiny toad crawling around trying to flee from me as best he can.
I then see more movement further on and realise there are several of them. Off I go to collect a dog water bowl and amphibian rescue begins in earnest. There was no way I could mow the grass knowing these little fellas were sheltering in there.
Ten minutes of thorough searching later and I have 11 young toads in the bowl. I carefully released them well out of the way in the large, wild field adjacent to the lawn. Mowing then continued with a clear conscience and I kept a sharp eye on the ground and several more toads were saved.
Over the next couple of weeks, I checked the lawn and realised it was now regularly crawling with young toads. The tiny amphibians were obviously finding easier movement and presumably easier hunting amongst the shorter grass.
Jump forward a couple of weeks and unfortunately the next cut was required, and so the dog bowl was once again used as an amphibian transport facility. By now the toadlet numbers had surged and a 20-minute search revealed 107 toadlets. Just imagine the carnage if I hadn’t bothered to look before cutting the grass.
It’s no real hassle to allow enough time to first take a good look before cutting and I slept better in my bed knowing I had bothered. I remember encountering this wildlife spectacle at the house before, probably 12 or more years ago. That time I had my two daughters walking in front of the mower collecting young toads as we went.
Toads are my personal favourite of our British amphibians. Slow, determined, quite ugly (to some people) and secretive. What’s not to love?
I particularly like their auburn coloured eyes which for some reason always remind me of conkers (which I also can’t resist). If you get a chance, carefully check out the eyes on a toad, they are rather beautiful.
Often on damp evenings we come across large toads crawling around by the back door of the house hunting for food and hopefully dispatching some of the slugs and snails which love our potted plants.
With my kind efforts of saving so many tiny toadlets from the mower, hopefully we will be rewarded with many more years of free natural pest control by our good friend Bufo bufo.
As we all start to embrace the summer months and tend to our gardens, let us all take a moment to look out for the small, but significant, wildlife that may be residing in our lawns. Amphibians like toads play a crucial role in our ecosystem by helping control pest populations.
Before you start your mower, take a few minutes to search your grass for these tiny creatures. A simple act of kindness can save many lives and contribute to a healthier environment. Remember, our gardens are not just for us, but also for the diverse array of wildlife that calls them home.
By being mindful and compassionate, we can coexist harmoniously and enjoy the natural wonders right at our doorstep.
• Making Space for Nature is a monthly wildlife column with tips about how we can act to help wildlife in our communities. This month’s columnist is Paul Castle, the High Life Highland countryside ranger for north Sutherland and north Caithness.
