This toad had a close escape yesterday. I was turning over some ground with a fork (prior to moving several rather stunted currant bushes away from the wall that was inhibiting their growth when I spotted him. I presume he must have burrowed down into the earth somehow to overwinter!
No harm was done though and, after a short photo session, I found him another corner of the garden that is due to be less disturbed (sheltered behind one of our mature shrubs).