Credit: © Raymond Gloden
On Friday 21 March 2025, the local nature conservation NGO, natur&ëmwelt Asbl, announced details of Luxembourg’s annual migration of toads, which has been kicked off by wet weather and rising temperatures.
As reported by natur&ëmwelt Asbl, current weather conditions, featuring humidity and temperatures which rarely drop below 5°C, have allowed toads to awaken from their winter lethargy, providing them with the ideal conditions to move towards their breeding areas between dusk and dawn.
The season also plays a crucial role in this migration phenomenon as toads have an internal biological clock which prevents them from starting their journey too early when the days are still short. March is generally considered the most favourable period for their migration.
In collaboration with the Nature and Forest Agency (ANF), natur&ëmwelt Asbl is actively working to improve amphibian protection measures on roads. Identifying migration zones is considered crucial for implementing effective solutions, such as installing barriers and tunnels for amphibians or temporarily closing certain roads, depending on traffic levels and migration intensity.
According to natur&ëmwelt Asbl, its mission is to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting toads during their migration. Due to their slow movement and tendency to migrate in large groups, toads are particularly vulnerable when crossing roads. For example, just ten cars passing per hour can kill 30% of the toads crossing a road. The closer they get to their breeding areas, the slower they move, as they often form pairs during migration, with males hitching a ride on the females' backs. By slowing down and staying alert, especially in the evening and at night, motorists can actively help protect these amphibians.
How to help?
- Report sightings: if one see toads crossing a road, take a photo and add this observation to the relevant project on iNaturalist or fill in the online form on geoportail.lu to help identify migration locations;
- Act locally: report any issues related to migrations, barriers, or toad tunnels to the relevant road authorities.
SM
