MORE TOADS NEEDED!

The Vancouver Island Western Toad Research Team is in need of more toads. We need a sample size of about 15 toads for our winter hibernation study and we are only half way there. We hope that you can keep an eye out for adult toads (at least 8 cm or 4” body length) when driving in the Sahtlam area or out in the yard, especially in the first 3 hours after dusk. The forecasted rain for this weekend could bring some out. If you find a toad, please place it into a tall bucket with a secure lid and email duncantoads@gmail.com or call Shari at 250-597-7473.

Thank You 

Toad 33, aka "Peko" 

Year 2 is under way

We currently have 6 toads on the air  for year 2.  Thanks to some great volunteers, we have two toads with transmitters for the western side of our project area.  It will be exciting to see where these animals choose to spend the fall months and ultimately where they choose to sleep for the winter. 

Karen with toad 35 aka  "Sparky"

Karen found toad 35 on her front porch late one evening and put him in a cat carrier for us. This is our first toad in the western side of our project area, the Cowichan Lake Rd and Stoltz Rd neighbourhood.  If you live out in this area, you might see us out locating Sparky to follow where he moves. On his first check in, we found him happily tucked into a nice warm pile of old grass clippings.  He hadn't moved too far in the first 24 hours.

Toad 35 "Sparky" enjoying the morning sun in a compost pile

                                                        Toad 35 being released after getting fitted with a transmitter.                                             


Toads Wanted!

We would love help finding toads this fall.  If you are the kind of person that does not mind going for a walk in your neighbourhood at dusk or in the dark, we would love to meet you at our public meeting on Sept. 20th at the Sahtlam Fire Hall at 7 pm.  We will give more details on what to do if you find a toad and where to look. Hope to see you there.