Bedfordshire Reptile & Amphibian Group (BedsRAG)

About us

About Us

Who we are

We are a small, informal grassroots conservation group dedicated to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Bedfordshire. We are affiliated to the Bedfordshire Natural History Society, we are also members of the Beds Heathland Forum. In the past, we have helped draft Species Action Plans (SAPS) for both Bedfordshire Adders and Great Crested Newt. We are also affiliated with the Amphibian and Reptile Groups UK (ARG UK), the organisation that helps with coordinating regional ARGs.

Membership

We welcome both people who prefer to work as individuals, and people who prefer to work in cooperation with others through the Group. We occasionally organise outings and training sessions, for our members. These include such activities as workshops, particularly for people who wish to qualify for a GCN license. It doesn't matter if you've never surveyed for a newt or a lizard before, we'll be able to help train you and pair you up with someone to help generate data in your local area. At present membership is free, all you need to do to become a member is contact us.

Current members can log into the BedsRAG ARGWEB using the button below.

Our aims

At present, much of our activity has been concentrated on specific sites in the south of the county. We are only too aware of how little we know about North Bedfordshire. Bedfordshire is richer in herps than one might expect, our aim to try to map as much as this diversity as possible, through the use of targetted surveys and casual observations. If you spot any amphibians or reptiles in Bedfordshire, please report them using the appropriate tab above. Much of Bedfordshire is very poorly surveyed for amphibians and reptiles, we simply do not know what is there. Parts of the county are under severe development pressure and we hope to get a good picture of what is there before it is too late. If are interested in joining the group, and surveying you local patch for either amphibians or reptiles, please get in touch.

As well as the common species, we are also aware of two introduced species: midwife toads and marsh frogs, with one re-introduction: natterjack toads.

News

Forest of Marston Vale site surveys

Posted on Sunday 2nd April, 2023

This year's survey season began with a visit to the Forest of Marston Vale Trust (FMVT) forest centre. A small but enthusiastic group attended at the invitation of ranger, Nicola Ceconi. All of the larger ponds on the site were surveyed using torches. Good numbers of great crested newt and smooth newt were found. All newt species were present in the boardwalk pond, sensory garden pond and the dipping pond. We had to watch our step as the the site was alive with common toads moving to and from the ponds. Many of the females had clearly laid eggs. Of course, not to be outdone, common frogs were also in evidence! The health of these water bodies was further evidenced by the presence of good numbers of aquatic invertebrates including many caddisflies.

Following this, several of the group visited the newly created pond at Conquest Wood at Houghton Conquest. Created in June 2022 in partnership with the Newt Conservation Partnership (NCP), this large pond is still murky and establishing, but common toads have already taken up residence!

Whipsnade Zoo Pond Surveys 14/04/22

Posted on Saturday 16th April, 2022

The evening of 14/04/2022 saw members of BedsRAG invited to take part in the surveying of ponds within Whipsnade Zoo as kindly organised by staff at ZSL.

Several ponds where surveyed by torchlight within the zoo, some inside the enclosures ( the animals where locked away in their night time quarters) and others outside of the enclosures but within the grounds.

The ponds generally produced healthy populations of Common Frogs, Toads and Smooth Newts with spawn and tadpoles also recorded across the site.

Aquatic invertebrate life was diverse across the ponds with many species seen. The large concrete pond within the Giraffe enclosure proved to be the most heavily populated and diverse along with holding the largest amount of Smooth Newts, so many in fact that it was virtually impossible to actually count them.

The staff were excellent hosts and very knowledgeable about native species and conservation projects within the park.

BedsRAG would like to thank Matthew Webb and his team for organising the trip and being extremely accommodating.

Photos are of BedsRAG members and Whipsnade staff during the trip and supplied by those above. IMG 20220415 WA0004 FB IMG 1650010117855 FB IMG 1650010129353 IMG 20220415 WA0006

Clophill Lakes torchlight site survey 18/03/22

Posted on Saturday 19th March, 2022

On 18/03/22 the group was lucky enough to be given access to the future Clophill Lakes nature reserve complex owned and currently being developed by The Greensand Trust ( Luckily our chairman Lloyd Rose knows the site well and has had access to survey the closed site for some time now).

We began our night night on the site of Cainhoe Castle to survey a previously surveyed drainage channel, the channel had quite a fast flow of water running through it into the vernal ponds and marsh area from the rain a few days prior to the visit but it still produced a few common toads ( Bufo bufo).

Passing back through the site heading towards some old fishery lakes numerous toads were recorded on the pathways, in vernal pools, in puddles and most drainage ditches along with some freshly deposited spawn on a path that one of our members carefully moved to a nearby body of water.

Multiple clumps of frog spawn and a few common frogs (Rana temporaria) were recorded in some of the tree lined pools and ditches on the walk through the large site.

Once reaching the smaller lake more frogspawn was recorded in another run off ditch leading from the lake.

The lake itself is quite deep but has a few shallow areas in some margins with many old willows and other tree species growing in them where the group recorded more frogs and spawn, Toads and a few smooth newts ( Lissotriton vulgaris).

We hope to make another night visit to the site in a few weeks to look into other areas of the site and will hopefully be able to do some daylight surveys for reptiles aswell as amphibians this year.

Thankyou to our members that came out and to Greensand for allowing us access to the site.

First reformed BedsRAG field survey by torchlight!

Posted on Sunday 13th March, 2022

Friday the 11th of March saw members of the newly re formed BedsRAG conducting torchlight amphibian surveys at the Greensand Trusts Sandy Smith Nature Reserve just outside of Clophill.

The night started off quite slowly with just a couole smooth newts seen in one of the vernal ponds, moving to the south of the site reasonable numbers of toads were recorded for the time of year with more expected to arrive in the coming weeks as they migrate back to their breeding ponds.

A few more smooth newts were also recorded in the lower ponds.

Upon leaving the site we came across a toad migration on the main road ( Shefford Road) unfortunately large numbers of road deaths were visible but the survivors were safely moved across the road, we have now begun the process of registering the site as a toad crossing.

We will revisit the site in a couple of weeks for a second survey.

Many thanks to those that came along

A successful AGM 2022

Posted on Tuesday 25th January, 2022

On the evening of the 23rd January, BedsRAG held it's AGM. One of the goals of the AGM, was to elect a new committee to help the group grow over the coming years. Unfortunately, the previous Chairman (Stephen Nesbit) had to step down due to a change in personal circumstances. Thankfully, a new Chairman was elected at the meeting, among other members of the committee. Lloyd Rose is now the Chairman of BedsRAG, and hopes to start a number of activities across the county soon, to start generating records of where the various amphibians and reptiles occur within Bedfordshire. You can find the contact details for the various committee members on the 'Contact us' page.

The formalities were followed by a talk by Steven Allain on a project he's been involved with since 2017, investigating the origin of various midwife toad populations in Great Britain, and determining if they may be vectors of disease for native species. Bedford is regarded as the first location in Great Britain where midwife toads became established, so Steven's research has focussed somewhat on Bedfordshire, and the wider landscape. Thankfully, the evidence so far suggests that the midwife toad populations in Great Britain are free of pathogens, although their exact point of origin is still to be determined.

Stay tuned for further BedsRAG updates in the near future!

Events

Past Events

Show Upcoming Events

Beds Heathland Forum

Fri 4th November, 2011

We have represented the Group at the Heathland Forums ever since they began. This year we are returning to some of the South Bucks Heathlands that we visited a few years ago to see the effect of recent management work. We have memories of the dense birch scrub that had invaded much of Stoke Common SSSI. Since that time The City of London Corporation have carried out extensive work to clear the scrub and re-introduce grazing, so it should be looking different.

It is also planned to visit Littleworth Common, managed by South Bucks DC, where once again, there has been extensive clearance of mature birch woodland. This is a site where there has been much public consultation and the council are looking to set up a Friends Group, so this could provide a useful insight into restoring heathland on heavily visited sites.

We will post a report next week.

INTRODUCTION TO AMPHIBIANS

Sun 17th March, 2013

A Wildlife Trusts training workshop for herps

BRAG member and Country Recorder for herps, Helen Muir-Howie, is running a workshop on amphibians on Sunday 17th March 2013 from 10am to 4pm at Priory Country Park, Bedford, Bedfordshire.

‘This workshop will cover the identification, life history and habitats of the native amphibians found in Bedfordshire. By the end of the session you will be able to confidently tell frogs from toads and identify the different species of newt. There will be an afternoon tour of nearby ponds to see the animals up close and to practice the techniques of amphibian surveying.’

For details see: http://www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2012/11/09/wildlife-trust-training-workshop-introduction-amphibians-helen-muir-howie

This is a Wildlife Trusts training workshop. For non-professional the cost is £35.00 per workshop unless you fall into one of the categories which qualifies you for a free place (Ecology Group Member, Reserve Warden, Watch Leader, Key Volunteer).

If you are interested email: trainingworkshops@windlifebcn.org.

ADDER WALK ON RAMMAMERE HEATH. Change of date

Sun 14th April, 2013

CHANGE OF DATE this walk will now take place on 14th April. Please note that this event has been moved forward one week because of the cold weather.

The Greensand Trust has arranged a ‘Discover Adders’ walk on Rammamere Heath on Sunday 14th April, 9am to 12pm.

The walk is led by BRAG member, and local adder expert, Matt Andrews. The event is funded by Natural England Higher Level Stewardship so there is no charge for the walk. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. There is a standard £2 car parking charge per vehicle. See http://www.greensandtrust.org/events.html for more details. To book your place email info@greensandtrust.org or call 01525 234260

Discover Adders on Rammamere Heath

Sun 14th April, 2013

The Greensand Trust has organised another walk on Sunday 14th April, 9am - 12pm. See http://www.greensandtrust.org/events.html

This is an opportunity to discover more about adders on a friendly walk with BRAG member and local adder expert Matt Andrews. This event is funded by Natural England Higher Level Stewardship so there is no charge for this walk. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No charge for this event. Standard £2 car parking charge per vehicle still applies, so why not share a car journey with friends. To book your place please email info@greensandtrust.org or call 01525 234260

AN INTRODUCTION TO REPTILES

Sat 27th April, 2013

A Wildlife Trusts training workshop for herps

Two BRAG members are running a workshop on Saturday 27th April 2013, 10am to 4pm at Stockgrove Country Park and Rammamere Heath.

Helen Muir-Howie, the Country Recorder for herps, and Matt Andrews.

‘This workshop will introduce participants to the identification of reptiles in the field, demonstrate where to look for them and how to encourage them to occupy favourable habitats. It is hoped that participants will come to appreciate and understand them rather than fear them’.

For more details see website: http://www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2012/11/09/wildlife-trust-training-workshop-introduction-reptiles-helen-muir-howie-and-matt-a

If you are interested in either course email: trainingworkshops@windlifebcn.org.

BedsRAG AGM 2022

Sun 23rd January, 2022

It will soon be the time when amphibians will be returning to their breeding ponds, followed by the emergence of reptiles shortly after. With this in mind, we'd like to invite you to attend the BedsRAG AGM on the 23rd January at 7 pm. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams, and a link will be circulated ahead of the meeting, to those that have confirmed their attendance. If you'd like to attend, please email Steven Allain so that he can send you the link.The main reason for calling the AGM, is to help elect new members into the various open committee roles we currently have within BedsRAG. These include roles such as Amphibian Officer, Reptile Officer, Membership Officer and Data Officer. If you'd like to know more about the roles that are available, and would like to put yourself forward for election, please get in touch and we'll happily provide this information. We're looking forward to electing a new committee to help BedsRAG flourish in 2022, including the election of a new Chairman, as our current one is stepping down to a change in personal circumstances.Aside from the formalities, Steven Allain shall be giving a brief talk on a national project he's been coordinating on the topic for midwife toads, titled 'On the trail of midwife toads'. Some of these surveys have been conducted in Bedfordshire, and we're lucky to have been awarded a small grant through the Bedfordshire Natural History Society, to enable this. Our research us uncovered a number of new populations across the country, that were previously unrecorded. Steven will go into some detail as to why this may be, as well as presenting some of his results from the project.At the AGM, we also hope to give a quick overview of the areas we wish to focus our surveys on in the coming season. This will include training for those that require it, which we hope will allow them to also complete surveys in their local area, which have been suitably identified. To facilitate this, please log into the ARGWEB (http://surrey-arg.org.uk/SARGWEB.php?app=LogIn&Org=BedsRAG) and please complete both 'My Volunteer Preferences' and 'My Volunteer Agreement' under the 'My BedsRAG Account' icon. This will ensure that you're both kept in the loop with any developments relating to your preferences, and covered by our insurance for any of the surveys/activities. If you do not sign the volunteer agreement, you will not be able to take part in any of the activities.We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks time, but for now please enjoy the rest of the festive season.

Rowney Warren adder search

Sat 8th April, 2023

Opportunity to look for adders. Likely to be busy, so 9am start. Please contact for details.

Whipsnade Zoo torching survey

Mon 24th April, 2023

An opportunity to repeat last year's survey and see how amphibians are using the zoos various ponds in enclosures!

Record a sighting

Identification

Bedfordshire is home to a number of amphibian and reptile species, these may be hard to differentiate to the untrained eye. We've therefore provided the following information to help ensure that species identifications are correct, especially when it comes to recording. The links provided before should help most people when it comes to establishing the identity of an amphibian or reptile. If you're still stuck, then please feel free to contact us.

Amphibians

Amphibians tend to be found in close proximity to water, especially in the spring, although they may be found in terrestrial environments in the summer and autumn. This can sometimes lead to confusion between newts and lizards.

The following amphibians can be found in Bedfordshire:

Common frog (Rana temporaria)
Common toad (Bufo bufo)
Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) - REINTRODUCED
Smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris)
Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus)
Midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans) - INTRODUCED
Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) - INTRODUCED

As far as we're aware, there are no populations of palmate newts, which tend to prefer more upland and acidic sites.

If you're unable to tell which amphibian species you've found, or you're dealing with a young individual, then we recommend this helpful guide from ARG UK.

Reptiles

Reptiles tend to be found in drier habitats than amphibians, they posses scales, and are also more agile than amphibians. Like amphibians, they hibernate throughout the winter months, and emerge again in the spring.

The following reptiles can be found in Bedfordshire: