Derbyshire Amphibian and Reptile Group

About us

About Us

Welcome to Derbyshire Amphibian and Reptile Group we cover the whole of Derbyshire including part of the Peak District National Park.

Our group aims to promote the study and conservation of the amphibians and reptiles of Derbyshire and their habitats. We achieve this by:

raising awareness of the ecology and conservation needs of Derbyshire's amphibians and reptiles
undertaking practical conservation projects
running approximately 20 Toads on Road patrols at locations across the county every spring during the toad migration season
carrying out regular reptile surveys and amphibian surveys
organising amphibian and reptile training sessions for members and the public
providing advice and information and answering queries for the public
developing recording, monitoring and research intitatives
providing a forum for those interested in amphibians and reptiles
working in partnership with other relevant organisations

We hope our website will help you to find the information you are looking for, but if you still have a query, please contact us and we will do our best to help.

Derbyshire ARG always welcome new members to the group, please email us on derbyshirearg@gmail.com to join. There is currently no membership subscription required, though that is reviewed at every AGM..

We are very grateful for any records of amphibians and reptiles in your local area that you can pass to us as it helps in mapping the distribution of species and protecting their known habitats. Either contact us directly or use the Record a sighting tab on this website.

The group is run by a committee which is elected at the AGM each year. For 2018 - 2019 the committee elected at the AGM on 23rd June 2018 are:

Chair - Christian Murray-Leslie, Vice Chair - Kelvin Lawrence, Secretary - Chris Monk, Treasurer - Jayne Thompson
Committee members - Richard Fenn Griffin, Lisa Lawrence, Matt Liston, James Longley, Iaian Stafford, Trevor Taylor

See a previous newsletters here 2016_Autumn-Winter.pdf

2018_02_February_newsletter.pdf

News

2016 Toad crossings

Posted on Monday 2nd May, 2016

After yet another late season, not really starting until the end of March the road patrols have now finished for this year. Seems to have been a definite gradient across the county with patrols in the south of the county mostly having higher numbers this year, those in the central part being down on each of the last two years and those in the northwest having a very poor year.

At 6 of the sites male toads were measured for the ARGUK Toadsize project.

Reptile surveys 2016

Posted on Sunday 20th March, 2016

Dates have been fixed for member's spring visits to sites where we have reptile surveys running this year.

At present one survey is running at Hassop in the Peak District National Park in co-operation with the National Park Ranger Service and another is at a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve near Cromford.

A smaller survey may be added this spring at another site close to Cromford and further dates announced for later in the year.

Toad Crossing preparations

Posted on Sunday 20th March, 2016

The cool dry weather has delayed the start of the toad migration season this spring but patrol members have finished installing the temporary toad warning highway signs at locations across the county. All we are waiting for now is some mild and damp weather to encourage the toads to start returning to their breeding ponds.

Events

Show Past Events

Farm dewpond conservation task

Sat 19th January, 2019 - Sat 19th January, 2019

Location near Longcliffe

10am to 2pm

Clearance of Typha in farmyard dewpond home to great crested newts and other amphibians

Tools will be provided, bring own wellies, gloves and suitable clothing

Further details to be confirmed

Talk and Derbyshire ARG AGM

Sat 2nd March, 2019 - Sat 2nd March, 2019

Details and venue to be confirmed

Toad crossings

Mon 4th March, 2019 - Mon 1st April, 2019

Depending on weather conditions across the county we will be running our volunteer toad crossing patrols at various sites across the county from Overseal in the south to Furness Vale in the north. These may start & finish earlier if weather is mild and damp.

More details to follow.