Friends of Angus Herpetofauna (FAH) is a local Amphibian & Reptile Group (ARG) founded in 2007, serving Angus and surrounding areas. Affiliated to ARG-UK, the national umbrella group for local ARGs, FAH is a constituted, non-profit group of volunteers, involved particularly in various monitoring projects at a local level linking into schemes of national importance.
At present, FAH is conducting annual surveys throughout the county to monitor the presence and status of our widespread amphibian and reptile species. These surveys feed directly to the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) coordinated by the Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC Trust). Survey protocols are strictly controlled and training of voluntary surveyors is provided free at the beginning of each survey season.
Projects currently in progress include a study into the effectiveness of amphibian ladders in gulleypots (roadside drains). Migrating amphibians frequently fall into gulleypots and remain entrapped, unable to escape, eventually dying a lingering death. New ladders, designed by FAH (based on an idea from RAVON) are proving to be a viable sollution to this long-standing problem and are now installed in pioneering work in three locations across the county. FAH are also keen to identify amphibian migration crossing points and set up Toad Patrols, which involves the recruitment of volunteers to collect amphibians with torches and buckets to help them across busy roads where they might otherwise be killed by passing road traffic.
FAH can offer pond and habitat surveys on request either to an established protocol or to a tailored specification. FAH also provide the manpower to undertake a range of field work, including monitoring and habitat management, or offer help and advice as required. Experienced herpetologists are also on hand to provide training, presentations and guided field walks.
Friends of Angus Herpetofauna (FAH) has teamed up with Fife Amphibian and Reptile Group to provide two additional training events for NARRS (National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme).
Volunteer surveyors are currently sought in both the Angus and Fife areas for the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS). No specific experience is necessary as free training will be provided in amphibian and reptile identification, habitat assessment, survey methods, survey protocols, recording, health & safety, licensing, and landowner permissions. If you have a love of wildlife and the great outdoors, and can spare some time over the spring and summer months, this survey is for you!
Please see our “Events” page for the full training programme.
Coming Soon:
Details of our popular Guided Reptile Walks, planned for May 2011. Keep watching this space!
Friends of Angus Herpetofauna will be hosting guided walks to Loch Lee, Glen Esk to watch and photograph adders and slowworms.
The walks will be held on Sunday 6th May 2018 and Sunday 20th May 2018, they are free to attend and open to all with an interest in these fascinating animals. This is an excellent opportunity especially for those who have never seen an adder in the wild and wish to see and learn more about their ecology and habits.
Distance: approx. 5km total. Scheduled time: 4-5 hours. Event begins at Invermark with a slow walk to the banks of Loch Lee for reptile searching, a picnic and relaxation. Return walk follows the same trail back to Invermark. Ecology & habits of reptiles described by the guide along the way. Species include adder, slowworm and common lizard; other species we may encounter include ring ouzel, cuckoo, osprey and peregrine falcon, as well as three amphibian species and variety of invertebrates.
Walks will commence at 10:00am from Invermark Public Car Park, situated in Glen Esk (Grid Ref - NO 446804). Participants should bring a packed lunch and stout footwear preferably with ankle protection. Places will be limited so booking is essential.
For further details and to book your place, please contact:
Trevor Rose on 07778 830192, or email secretary@thebhs.org
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