Anyone good at frog/toad identification?

[Soubriquet]

We’ve recently moved house and we are just sorting out the overgrown flower bed when we came across this little guy.

I think he’s a toad and has been living here for a while.

No pond but there is a river across the road.

Do I release him back into the flower bed since he seems happy enough there, or do I nip across the road and release him near the river?

Why didn't you leave him where he was?

I think that’s a toad. Put him back in the flower bed. He’ll eat your slugs.

Looks like a toad to me, we have frogs in our garden and pond, and yours doesn't look like them !
I would put him back where you found him

Just put him back. I agree, he's a toad.

If in doubt, toads walk, frogs hop.

Yep that's a toad. Put him back where you found him. They only need water to lay their spawn, and will make their way back to the same place each year.

We are currently digging the flower bed up as it’s a mess and we want to turn it into a bee garden.

I am reluctant to put him back as we have dogs.

Before the overgrown (dead) flowers were covering him but without them, he is visible

If you have now cut back the flower bed I'd pop him by the river. I don't think you are supposed to handle frogs or toads much, also wash your hands, I'm sure we don't have deadly toads but I do think their skin releases toxins (probably unpleasant if you are a bird or something).

Yeah don't handle him with your hands any more, it won't do you or him any good.

If you've finished with the bed I'd put him back there or under a nearby undisturbed bush or undergrowth. He'll soon move to wherever he wants to be regardless of your wish gone him not to be near your dogs

The only frog knowledge I have has been gleaned from the Muppets so I would suggest you get him a job as a stage manager

My very basic knowledge is that toads are dull and lumpy and don't live in ponds, just somewhere damp, and frogs are smoother and shiny.

I’ve released him across the road.

It’s not just a river, there’s a ditch and lots of undergrowth for him to hide out.

We aren’t sure how he got in here in the first place.

The fences around are 6ft high..

I made sure I placed him somewhere where he could hide from any birds

If you have a broken flower pot you could make him a house to protect him and give him somewhere to hide.

No flower pots

I’m sure he will be fine over the road.

He will probably thrive a bit better across there anyway

If you relocated him across a road, perhaps you should also put up one of those frogs crossing signs we have near us.

Sounds like a good idea. Where would I go about doing that?

You is a kind human to toads.

I hereby award you the award of bestest mumsnetter of the day

Aww thanks

I actually try to help all wildlife when I can

I’ve hand reared hedgehogs and rehabilitated them too