We had a toad on our back deck

I've never had a toad climb up the 3 steps to get onto our back deck before, but there he was underneath the grill!! Of course, I caught him and put him back down into the bushes so he'd be safe since we were starting up the grill and I didn't want him to jump off the other side of the deck, which is a 2 story leap! Why would a toad go jumping up steps like that?

I think I figured out why the toad was up there on the deck! My husband had weed whacked underneath the deck that afternoon and the little guy probably was terrified.

I haven't seen many toads and frogs this year. Maybe it's been too dry, but we're starting to get lots of rain!

I have frogs in my backyard pond but they hide when I go to see them.

The toad was back!! I went out to grill yesterday and removed the grill cover and there was the toad underneath the grill. He must have felt cool and safe there. I put him back down near the lilac tree and poured some water on him to cool him off (it was miserable yesterday) and he seemed to be happy having the water poured on him.

Okay, someone please tell me why this toad wants to live on my back deck? How is he getting up there? There are 2 big steps for him to jump up on, so why is it worth the effort? I went to grill again yesterday and there he was. He stepped out once we turned the propane on and then patiently waited for me to put the cover on later and jumped right back underneath. It's his home and I didn't want to move him again down by the lilac bush.

I did go ahead and put a little plastic lid of water next to him in case he needed it. I don't know how he's getting water unless he's actually moving away from the grill at night?