A community wildlife event has achieved a record-breaking milestone this year, with a total of 876 toads spotted this year—marking the highest count in the event's history.

The Boundary Road Toad Watch assists toads in crossing a busy road in Rowledge, near Farnham as the animals journey to their ancestral breeding ponds.

This year, just 24 toads were found dead, resulting in a low mortality rate of only 2.7 percent, a notable achievement in the group's ongoing efforts to protect these amphibians during their perilous migration

Founded by Lisa Malcom, the toad watch started as a modest initiative with only a few volunteers helping to guide the toads safely across the road at night.

This year, the dedicated volunteers, clad in their signature hi-vis jackets, continued their mission to assist the toads from late January to early April, the peak of their migration season.

The group’s efforts coincide with the toads’ natural breeding cycle. During the late winter and early spring, the toads move from their hibernation sites to the breeding ponds across Boundary Road in Rowledge.

Ms Malcolm said: “We have no real way to count the toads 100% accurately, and we can’t guarantee we don’t save the same toad twice.

"But with the numbers of toads we see increasing on the road year on year, it means we feel as if we are doing something to help these creatures whose numbers are decreasing annually.”

The wet, warming weather conditions of this period are ideal for the toads, but also present a danger as they must cross a busy road to reach their destination.

Of the 876 toads counted, a disproportionate number, 746, were male, with only 90 females found. The males are often seen in "amplexus," where they compete for the females, sometimes hitching a ride by clinging to their backs.

Despite the group’s diligent work to ensure the safety of these creatures, there are still challenges. Some drivers, ignoring the warnings, continue to speed through the area, putting the toads at risk. Boundary Road is typically a 60mph zone, but the signs and hi-vis jackets have helped reduce toad fatalities by alerting drivers to slow down during the migration season.

Despite the challenges, the dedication of volunteers, who come from all walks of life, continues to make a positive impact on the toad population in the area. This year’s record count is a testament to their hard work and commitment.