Traffic in the neighborhood roads has picked up in recent years because of development and as drivers use back roads to avoid Ridge Avenue traffic. Since the toads are tiny - about the size of a half-dollar - and they usually cross at night, many have been squished before they reach their destination. Last year, volunteers counted 100 toads killed along the roads during the peak migration night, said Lisa Levinson, who led the effort to close the roads.
"All these cars were just driving by and running over them," said Levinson, who lives in West Philadelphia and saw the migration during her commute. "I just wanted to give them their best chance at getting there."
The city Streets Department has given the volunteers permits to temporarily detour traffic, Levinson said. City officials could not be reached last night for comment.
Volunteer "toad spotters" will notify authorities when the toads begin to migrate later this month or in early April. The migration typically lasts one night or a couple, during which the volunteers will have permits to divert traffic from Eva Street and Port Royal onto Ridge Avenue, Levinson said.
Volunteers have been watching for toads since the beginning of March. The group, which calls itself Detour, is also handing out brochures that explain the migration and offer suggestions for detours when the toads begin crossing, said Julie Hendrickson, an ecological designer and Detour member.
Janet Schillinger, 69, who has lived in the Shawmont Valley neighborhood for 30 years, said she heard about the migration in January and signed up to watch for toads Monday through Thursday evenings. For the last two weeks, she and a friend have gone to the crossing area at dusk and sat for several hours looking for toads.
"Most of us chose to live here because of the nature," said Schillinger, who said she hadn't seen any toads yet.
When warm weather draws the toads from their hibernation and they begin to line up on the road, the toad watchers will send a text message to the nearly 50 people who signed up to help. Barricades and detour signs will be posted, and students from Green Woods Charter School made signs asking motorists to spare the toads, Levinson said.
Drivers and passersby who see toads on the move are welcome to help them on their journey, Ranly said.
"You can pick them up and move them across the road," she said.
Those who are interested in helping to count toads or man the barricades during the migration are asked to contact Levinson at 215-620-2130 or lisa@publiceyephilly.org.
Contact staff writer Joelle Farrell at 610-627-0352 or jfarrell@phillynews.com.
