We’re pleased to announce that this year’s torrent of toadlets are really hopping! Late last week, thousands upon thousands of tiny toads started leaving the wetland in Ryder Lake, heading to their forest home.
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Thousands of toadlets are hopping along our directional fencing, and using the toad tunnel to safely cross the road. Check out this cool video from Sean McCann that shows these little guys on the move.
Video by: Sean McCann
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This year’s migration is a big one, which is great news! But the more toadlets we have migrating from the wetland, the more toadlets we find trying to cross on the road – especially the ones using migration routes above the toad tunnel.
Through our research, we have found that there are actually four favoured migration routes the toadlets tend to follow. The toad tunnel was designed to capture toadlets using one of the most popular routes. Directional fencing captures a second distinct stream of toadlets, and directs them to culverts that lead under the intersection at Ryder Lake and Elk View Road. The other two migration routes are located uphill from the toad tunnel on Elk View Road, where there is no safe route across the road.
We’re working with the City of Chilliwack in the hopes of creating safer crossings for toadlets in this area as part of their scheduled road maintenance later this summer.
For now, the toad detour route is the only way to protect the toads in that area.
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The video below gives an idea of just how tiny these little guys are, and how vulnerable they are when they’re trying to cross the road!
Video by: Sean McCann
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We anticipate this migration will last about 2 weeks. During this time we’re asking that folks heading up Elk View Road to watch for the toad detour route signs along the way. The locals know this routine well, but people unfamiliar with the area may be reluctant to take the detour. The roads up here are windy and confusing, but our detour signage is in place to ensure everyone is safely guided around the migration.
The detour will still get you to events at the Ryder Lake Hall, the hiking & recreational areas, and will add less than 400m to your drive. Every driver who chooses to go around can save hundreds of tiny toads!
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Although it may be tempting to come be a “toadlet sightseer”, human presence – even while walking – can disturb their migration patterns, causing them to waste precious energy! The best thing you can do is keep your distance, and watch for our updates on facebook and instagram!
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This project would not have been possible without the continued support of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.
