Narva volunteers who help the frogs cross the road. Some take children with them
The unstable weather this year led to the rapid beginning of the spring migration of amphibians throughout Estonia. In Narva and its environs, the most popular frog paths still run along the highway from Narva to Narva-Yesuu, along the road to Riigicul, as well as along roads in Narva Garden partnerships. Local volunteers again go to the salvation of frogs and toads.
The most dangerous place is in the area of the spring near Riigikul
– As soon as the thermometer began to show the plus temperature at night, the frogs immediately rushed to the places of reproduction. In our region, they go from the river to the forest to forest ponds, since the water manages to heat up in them, and in Narov it is too cold, and remain in the forest, as well as in our garden partnerships to play weddings there. Here they will live before the fall, and then go back to the place of wintering, ”says Olga Voronkova, the head of the advertising of the Narva shopping centers Astri and FAMA, a volunteer for the salvation of amphibians with three years of experience, forming their small team annually.
– When the weather becomes cooler, the frogs again hibernate, and their migration is suspended. But yesterday, on Monday, April 14, it was sharply warmed up, and they asked us the heat, ran from all their feet, just some kind of “frogopad”! In one evening, our volunteers transferred 120 frogs across the road! – continues Olga. – In general, we are watching the weather forecast for a week in advance. And we exchange information in the Narva Chat specially created by volunteers, on social networks. React, that is, go to the place where they will go, you need to quickly.
“But the track from Narva to the resort Narva-Yesuu is not one kilometer, and the branches from it are also quite large.” How do you know where specifically you need to rush? – I can not help but ask Olga.
-Actually, they migrate throughout the highway. Therefore, 1-2 volunteers go along the road, looking for frogs. But in general, they have their own traditional routes – they are laid in them by nature. You probably heard that, for example, in Tallinn on Astang and Tartu in Ihast, local authorities even temporarily close the roads during migration. We do not have this. But it is already good that last year the department of highways finally installed on the Narva-Narva-YESUSU special road signs warning drivers that this section is the path of migration of amphibians. So, you need to lose speed. As you know, this is the care of the safety of not only frogs, but also first of all volunteers who work on the road in the dark.
According to Olga Voronkova, in the vicinity of Narva the most active places for the migration of amphibians are the Narva-Narva-Yesuu highway, roads leading from the highway towards the Narva Garden partnerships-a 8, 12 km turn, the road to Riigikul. The most dangerous places – at ST “Furniture” and turning to the spring, Olga clarifies.
-In one of the places along the road Narva-Narva-Yesuu you can see low yellow plastic nets. Why are they intended?
– In order to restrain the flow of frogs crossing the road before the arrival of volunteers. By the way, the Narva volunteers installed this « fence » at their own expense. You just think about these figures of official statistics: during intensive migration, thousands of individuals can die in a few hours, which has a significant impact on local populations; Only about three percent of adult amphibians survive to the age of reproduction. But amphibians play a large role in our ecosystem – they are an important link in the food chain both on land and in water. Frogs destroy pests in gardens and in the fields; They also determine the state of health of the environment as a whole. When I begin to talk about amphibians, many have the attitude to what we, volunteers, are doing.
– Olga, at what time of the day do frogs hit the road?
– The most active movement occurs from nine o’clock in the evening to midnight, and sometimes until 2 a.m. or early in the morning. If the night was cold, then in the morning the frogs go on the road after nine hours. At this time, you have to be on duty on the road.
– And until what time will the migration of frogs and toads continue?
– Until the end of April, maybe until the beginning of May. Depends on the weather.
The best volunteer is … a driver
“The best volunteer is the driver,” Olga says and hurries to add: “who goes around the frogs.
– Well, if we talk about the volunteers who go along the road and look out for frogs, then what is their work?
– Take a frog or toad in your hands and transfer to the other side of the road. As a rule, they move in small flocks or pairs. There must be rubber gloves in hand and not the thinnest: the fact is that the warmth of human hands for frogs is detrimental, it burns them, and perfumes, creams that we use are destructive to them. It would also be nice to have a bucket with you – in case several individuals come across at once. Be sure to put on a reflective vest and a head flashlight – to be noticeable for drivers who travel along the highway. By the way, the frogs are not reacted to his light and the headlights do not react. It is also good if you yourself are driving, you can work autonomously, but you can make a company to one of the volunteers of the amateur amateur.
– And how much time, as a rule, goes on duty?
– Depends on your capabilities and desires. As practice shows, you will be busy for two hours, every day, until the migration ends – presumably until the end of April.
According to Olga Voronkova, every year the number of volunteers to save amphibians in Narva is slowly but growing. Olga’s volunteers for work in Astri Grupp AS, a company that carries out a clear course on environmentally stable activities and annually responds to the call of the Estonian Nature Fund for helping amphibians during their spring migration safely crossing their habitats, are joined by Narvites of different ages and professions.
– For two shopping centers – Astri and FAMA – we have 10 people of maintenance personnel. Two of them became permanent volunteers with the Narva Lenigture, and two more save frogs in Saku and Voka – live in those places. Last year, I took my adult daughter with me on duty, and this year my little son also joined the role of the rescuer. And now some volunteers take children with them. This is especially nice.
-If you are not indifferent to the problem of salvation of amphibians and want to become a volunteer, write on e-mail: [email protected] or in mine Facebook: – calls Olga Voronkova.
Our certificate:
The campaign « Salvation of amphibians, or » Konnad Teeel « , has been held since 2012. Its goal is to draw attention to the mass death of frogs on the roads during migration, increase awareness of the important role of amphibians in the ecosystem and create a map of their migration routes throughout Estonia.
Volunteers not only help frogs, but also keep records of their quantity and types, which is important for scientists and planners of road infrastructure.
Over the years, thanks to volunteers, about 250,000 amphibians were saved from death under the wheels of cars. This year, the initiative is supported by the Life Tarturoreing project.
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