Concerns for Toad Population After Reservoir Drained
A group that assisted more than 1,000 toads in safely reaching their breeding ground has expressed fears that the amphibians may have perished following the draining of a reservoir.
Members of the Wrexham Toad Patrols annually help the toads cross a busy road to reach the Nant-y-Ffrith reservoir.
However, the reservoir was emptied by the Hafren Dyfrdwy water company, which stated that the action was necessary to carry out essential safety improvements.
Toad patrollers reported being shocked upon learning that the reservoir had been drained over the Easter weekend, noting that the toads were expected to leave the site in a few weeks at the conclusion of the breeding season.
"The males are very vocal so you can usually hear them. It was silent," said volunteer Becky Wiseman.
"We got as close to the reservoir as we could but we saw no life."
Decline in Toad Populations and Importance of Reservoirs
Research led by the conservation charity Froglife last year found that common toad populations in the UK have declined by 41% over the past 40 years.
The charity attributed much of this decline to the reduction in garden ponds, which makes sites such as reservoirs increasingly important habitats.
Becky Wiseman added:
"I appreciate that people see humans as the priority but we're not the only ones here and I think we need to work together to prevent damage going forward."
Volunteer Efforts and Impact on Local Ecosystem
Volunteers at two sites in Wrexham, Ruthin Road and Brymbo, dedicate their evenings from February to May to help gather and relocate toads, frogs, and newts.
Another volunteer, Ella Thisleton, commented on the broader ecological impact:
"There's a whole ecosystem," said Ella Thisleton.
"We don't know what next year will bring from this, so we're all very upset.
"If we'd known about it there could have been things that we could have put in place to try and prevent any fatalities."
Each year during the breeding season, volunteers assist toads crossing the busy A525 road from their land habitat to their ancestral breeding ground at the reservoir.
They reported having helped nearly 1,500 toads this year, which is four times the number assisted last year, attributed to an increase in volunteers.
The group's member, Teri Davies, expressed her disappointment:
"All of us are totally gutted, all that hard work and it's just gone."
She added that if the work had been postponed, the deaths could have been avoided:
"If it had just waited four to six weeks then they would have laid their spawn, the spawn would have turned to toadlets.
"They would have left the water free for the maintenance works."
Water Company Response and Future Plans
A spokesperson for Hafren Dyfrdwy acknowledged the community's concerns, stating:
"The work at Nant-y-Ffrith is essential to ensure this critical operational reservoir remains safe now and for the future, and continues to meet strict safety requirements."
The company is currently reviewing the situation in collaboration with ecologists on site.
In addition to amphibians, birds such as curlews and geese also use the reservoir, raising concerns that their habitat may have been disturbed.
Hafren Dyfrdwy plans to engage with the toad patrol group to discuss next steps as construction work continues.
The spokesperson added:
"While the reservoir plays a vital role in supplying drinking water, we recognise it is also an important space for local wildlife and the community."
