Great to welcome Grace to their first session this evening. Sorry we were not toadly successful! We also had Lucy and Duncan join us all the way from Portsmouth for their first toad patrol. We were optimistic despite the lack of rain, but also went ready for litter picking as expected a quiet night. A lot of the toads seem to have moved back to the woods already so the season is almost over for patrolling. We didn't spot any live toads, but found one dead one. We managed to collect one whole bag of recycling, one of other litter, and a few glass bottles too. I got very excited thinking I had found a rare magical pink newt...the unicorn of the newt world surely?! Alas it turned out to be a discarded rubber toy!

We have had a great few nights learning the ropes at the Colden Common and Wellow patrols this season. We might be able to squeeze another patrol in before the month is out if conditions are right, but otherwise we are really looking forward to next season. So make sure you sign up ready for next January if you want to get involved!