40 volunteers from the LBV FFB brought 900 more animals safely across the district roads than in the previous year

Created: 06/10/2022, 08:00

A toad rescued by the LBV FFB.

© Klaus Hiltwein

District of Fürstenfeldbruck – The first fences were already up at the end of February.

But it didn't really start until mid-March, when the temperature and humidity were finally right.

Then frogs, toads and newts migrated to their spawning waters in the district of Fürstenfeldbruck.

More than 40 volunteers from the LBV Fürstenfeldbruck were ready to get the animals safely across the streets.

After the end of the season in May, the nature conservation association is pleased with the results for 2022: In 400 hours of volunteer work, more than 2,600 amphibians were saved, one of the highest numbers in recent years.

Particularly pleasing: Alpine newts were found again in Wenigmünchen for the first time in years.

Poigern showed how important intact habitats are for the protection of native amphibians.

Volunteers from the LBV district group in Fürstenfeldbruck have been looking after several amphibian protection fences in the district for over 30 years.

This season they have set up almost 2,200 meters of green lanes along the hiking routes in Mammendorf, Poigern, Wenigmünchen, Landsberied and Herrnzell.

All age groups were represented among the volunteers: from a five-year-old child with his mother to an eighty-year-old pensioner.

What they all have in common is the enthusiasm for species protection, for which many included the daily check in the morning and evening around their working day.

The effort was worth it again this year: a total of around 2,630 amphibians (2021: 1,723) were found in the collection containers along the fences, including common toads, alpine newts, smooth newts and common frogs.

In Mammendorf there were 768 animals than ever before, in 2021 there were still 411. Even a rare tree frog has found its way here at the fence.

In Wenigmünchen, too, there were 1,102 animals, more than in the previous year (924), including for the first time some mountain newts, which have meanwhile become rare in the district.

This means that the positive trend from last year has continued this season.

In Landsberied, the number was similar to that of the previous season (2021: 108; 2022: 112).

With 427 rescued amphibians, the new fence in Herrnzell, which the LBV erected there for the first time this year,

From leader to beacon of hope

Only at the fence in Poigern were the numbers declining.

There were only 221 animals over a distance of one kilometer, 59 fewer than last year.

The pond in Poigern had only been prepared as spawning water again as part of a compensation area regulation.

“This shows that we have to give nature time.

The pond in Poigern used to be one of the best spawning grounds in the district with up to 4,500 specimens of ten different amphibian species.

This valuable living space has been lost due to silting up and shading,” explains Simon Weigl, branch manager of the LBV Fürstenfeldbruck.

"With the measures we hope to turn the pond into good spawning water for amphibians again.

But that requires patience.

On the one hand, toads, newts & Co. are only sexually mature after several years.

On the other hand, the rehabilitation of spawning waters is always associated with unexpected problems, so that improvements often have to be made.

The pond in Poigern, for example, is currently threatening to dry up in some places.

Therefore, there were already agreements with the local fire brigade,

refill the pond if necessary.

In addition to restoration measures, the protection of existing, intact habitats is therefore infinitely important for species conservation.”

Additional mobile force

For the amphibian season next year, the LBV Fürstenfeldbruck has purchased an additional fence - thanks to a donation from the association WE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

As a "mobile rescue station" it will be used to temporarily secure roads where there are unexpected reports of increased migration in the district.

In doing so, he helps to research the actual amphibian population in the region and provides information on whether an amphibian protection fence on site is promising.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to help with the collection in 2023 can contact fuerstenfeldbruck@lbv.de.

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