Hi all,I seem to be the only person in whitehaven that is aware of the twice yearly carnage on mirehouse road from toads and frogs trying to get to mirehouse ponds, so i really need help to make more people aware.        The main carnage is in march/april as the amphibians make their way to the ponds for the breeding season, and the lesser event has just passed as some try to get back from whence they came.        I can no longer manage this crossing on my own, and planning needs to be started soon in anticipation of the 2011 march slaughter (as i write this there are still deaths on the road when it rains, but it seems to be stragglers and others coming out in the dark to try and find food).        Please read this forum topic i posted on march 27th, its gives all the details of this crossing, the link is -------                                http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/reptile-and-amphibian-forums/66657-i-need-help-stop-mass-toad-deaths-asap.html                                                 and the follow up post on june 30th---------                                                                                 http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/reptile-and-amphibian-forums/71439-toads-road-again-why-they-leaving-ponds.html

forgot to mention that i have tried certain avenues mentioned in the links above, but have got no interest from charitys like froglife.org, so now its time to seek help from whitehaven folk who may show more interest, its their patch after all !ps, how to post in neat paragraphs on this board ?i write my post in cleary defined paragraphs but when finished the post comes up in one continuous sentence.

Wow -- very sad, but what an honourable passion you have for these creatures. I agree with many of the posts on the link you provided. Try all the local press - all area newspapers and BBC Radio Cumbria. Are you on facebook? Create a page, or join Whitehaven based ones to create awareness I know you may think that in the "off season" an article about the situtation may be futile, but they would most likely do a followup story in due time. Also there are many animal lovers in Whitehaven - domestic and wild, and I am sure that a group may be formed out of this. No time like the present. Send a small covering letter to the media with a link to the forum you posted here - if you don't have the time,or are unsure let me know and I'll do it for you.

Baffles me why froglife.org would not be interested?? Disheartening to say the least.

Amanda

** Afterpost -- have sent an email letter to The Whitehaven News about your efforts

thanx amanda, this is just the kind of help i was hoping for, the more people other than myself who try to raise awareness, the better.           so far, i have not garnered much interest, your reply gives renewed hope.           froglife.org are still showing no interest despite my trying again and sending extra emails etc.         i find this baffling cos this is a significant crossing and froglife have  NO registered crossings in the whole of cumbria (despite the fact that there are other crossings in cumbria, e.g, one nr frizington that no one bothered about, i think that died off cos they were ALL killed a couple of years back due to traffic, so another rare toad migratory path now extinct).         froglife.org are a charity and as such seem more interested in collecting revenue rather than actually helping.         real help always comes from commited individuals who expend their own time and effort to help, but what an individual can achieve is limited, and i have found my limits quite rapidly, thats why i need help.

Hi Andy - the Whitehaven News have been in touch with me and might try to contact you about a story, re what can be done, etc., via email. If they print a story, it will highlight the problem and those, such as froglife might sit up and take notice. Good luck with your campaign.

cheers,
sorry for not reply sooner.
do they have my contact email ?, i presume so (the one i registered for this site with).

do you have the name of the person at the whitehaven news that contacted you ?
i will try to get in touch with them.

also, i have managed to get froglife to officially register the crossing, here is the email i got off them recently-------


10th August 2010

Dear Andy,

Re: Amphibian migratory crossing: Mirehouse Road (Site ID: CA342)
I am writing to you to confirm that the above named site (actual location: Mirehouse Road, Mirehouse,
near Whitehaven; grid reference: NX979152) has been added to the Department for Transport approved
register of amphibian migratory crossings. Your local authority highways department now has approval
for the installation of standard road warning signs (between February and April) if they are considered to
be appropriate for this site. All you need to do is write to them requesting the signs and show them the
enclosed copy of this letter so they are aware that the site has been added to the database. Your knowledge
of the exact crossing location will be essential in helping them to position signs correctly.

If you require any further information about toad patrolling please see the Patrol Pack on our website
(www.froglife.org/toadsonroads) or just get in touch. If you
have any crossing data from previous years please let us know – even if it is only that you saw a certain
number killed; any data we can collect on specific toad populations will help us determine the status of
the UK population as a whole.

I have enclosed some health and safety information for you to keep and two forms for you to sign and
return when appropriate.

Yours sincerely,

Lucy Benyon
Wildlife Information and Data Officer
lucy.benyon@froglife.org
01733 558960

if anyone wishes to contact copeland council with this info, thats great, it will help my case when i contact them.