Volunteers needed to help save frogs’ lives in Sandyford

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is seeking volunteers to help save frogs’ lives on Barnacullia Road in Sandyford.

Between tonight and March 30, from 7pm to 10pm, thousands of frogs and toads will follow traditional migration routes on their way to spawning ponds.

Unfortunately, hundreds can be squashed and killed by traffic on intervening roads as they make for a suitable pond.

Drivers find it hard to see the frogs because they mostly migrate at night – which is why the council is asking for your help!

The dlr biodiversity officer, along with its traffic section, are working with the Herpetological Society of Ireland (HSI) and its volunteers to help the frogs and toads get across the road safely. These volunteers act like a taxi service using buckets to transport the frogs and toads across the road.

A council spokesperson explained: “We need the public’s help with assisting the volunteers by using alternative routes to the Barnacullia areas or slowing down and stopping when the volunteers are working on the road. dlr traffic will have some speed limit signs on the road and the volunteers will be wearing hi-viz vests and carrying torches. Volunteers will be given full training on site.”

Traffic in the area will be requested to reduce speed and may be asked to stop for a short period of time. If you are driving in the area, please take your time on this road as volunteers will be on the road in different locations. Please obey the signs and the instructions of the patrol leaders who will be managing the traffic.

Please note that the timing of amphibian migrations is not an exact science so some nights may be very busy and will continue late or may see no movement at all and be completed earlier.

dlr and the HSI wish to thank the public for their cooperation. Please contact the Biodiversity Officer at annemurray@dlrcoco.ie and/or the HSI at info@thehshi.org for further information and to sign-up as a volunteer.

Please don’t turn up unannounced as you are not covered under Health and Safety or assessment protocols. You may also unintentionally add to the patrol leaders’ workload on a busy night.