Devoutly Protecting Toad Migration in Northwest Philly

It’s an improbable journey, but it's also one that matters to everyone.

Close to 2,000 American toads sense when it’s time. They awaken and emerge from twelve inches deep in the ground in a densely wooded place and begin the race of their life to the nearest pond. 

For the toads, who race to their breeding pond at the old Roxborough Reservoir, the tough journey is especially perilous. Their route crosses heavily trafficked streets. 

At around 10 p.m. on March 6, volunteer Judy Stepenaskie counted about 100 dead toads on Port Royal Avenue, between Hagys Ford Road and Eva Street.  There were others, still struggling to make it.

Spring migration for bufo americanus was underway. And that meant Operation Toad Detour was ready to shift into high gear.

Toad Detour is in its third year. It was founded and coordinated by Lisa Levinson and its organizing committee includes representatives from numerous civic and environmental organizations, as well as Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Philadelphia Police Department's Fifth District and the Philadelphia Streets Department.

It is intended to establish ways to protect the life cycle migrations of these important ecological partners and to increase public awareness about why it's important to do so, according to Levinson.

Temporary road detours are set up during the periods of peak migrations, she said. Road blocks are supported by the Streets Department and staffed by volunteers from a growing mailing list of about two hundred citizens, some from as far away as Phoenixville. They’re generally set up at 7 p.m. for a couple of busy traffic hours.  Volunteers distribute informational brochures to drivers.

“Toads prefer to move on wet, warm nights,” explained Doug Wechsler, a scientist at the Academy of Natural Sciences where he serves as director of VIREO, the largest collection of bird photographs in the world. 

“Toads are beautiful little animals,” said Wechsler, author of more than 20 books for children on wildlife. "(They) eat a lot of insects and help control outbreaks of insect populations."

Some toads also become part of the food supply to sustain larger animals in the ecosystem, such as owls.

As amphibians, these toads lay their eggs in the reservoir, where they hatch into tadpoles about 10 days later. Those tadpoles either become nourishment for other wildlife in the ecosystem or become tiny toads after two months. 

The toadlets—generally smaller than the size of a penny—then migrate out of the pond area, up the steep banks and down the wall, where they must cross the same dangerous streets their ancestors crossed in order to get to the wooded areas where they will mature. 

“The simple act of blocking off streets for a few hours to save to lives of thousands of animals is a simple, worthwhile way for people to make a difference,” volunteer Randy Shields said.

Janet Lippincott, another volunteer, is a realtor in Mt. Airy/Chestnut Hill. 

“The adults look like leaves blowing across the street," she said. "It takes a good eye to notice, and then you get used to it.” 

Lippincott says she stays out late, even after the detour barriers come down.  

“I get to 100, and then I say, no, I’ll get to 125.  Oh, but then I think the next one’s not going to make it.  How about 150?  It’s so hard to walk away,” she said.

Four educational Toad Walks are scheduled for the public, according to Debbie Carr, who is the director of environmental education for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. These hour-long walks are co-sponsored by the Schuylkill Center, are led by naturalists and take participants up to the reservoir to learn about these animals and listen to their hair-raising mating calls. (Stay tuned for a full story on the walks.)

More than 120 people attended similar Toad Walk programs last year, Carr said. 

Toad Walks will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 18, 19, 25 and 26.   Participants meet at the corner of Port Royal Avenue and Lare Street just off of Ridge Avenue and should park at the side of the ballfield along Port Royal. The event is rain or shine and participants should bring a flashlight.