Amphibian and Reptile Group of Lancashire (ARGL)

About us

About Us

ARGL exists to promote the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Lancashire and Greater Manchester and we do this in a variety of ways. We’re always happy to work with other groups that share our general objectives, so if you’re part of another organisation and feel that we could work in partnership please get in touch.

There’s always lots more ARGL could do, but we achieve as much as we can with the resources available. If you’re able to help organise events please contact us.

Data searches

In 2010 ARGSL launched the Lancashire Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project (LARA).LARA holds over 5000 records covering Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.If you would like to request a data search for amphibian or reptile records in Lancashire, Greater Manchester or Merseyside, please follow this link and submit your data search request to LARA.

ARGL was formerly known as ARGSL

This ARG was established in 2004 and known as ARGSL (The Amphibian and Reptile Group of South Lancashire) until 2017. The name change to ARGL was made to more accurately reflect the recording area of the group. Much of the publicity material produced by ARGSL is still relevant today, so we've included it in our downloads section. We haven't gone through an expensive re-branding exercise so you'll find many references to ARGSL remain throughout this website.

News

2025 task programme

Posted on Friday 3rd January, 2025

We have four habitat management task days planned for spring 2025:

January 19th: Ulnes Walton
February 16th
March 2nd
March 16th

The work is physically demanding, but satisfying in equal measure! If you'd like to something positive and practical to benefit amphibian populations these events are for you. When details of each event are confirmed they'll be added to the Events page.

If you can attend please let us know by e-mailing david@arglancashire.co.uk so that we can plan accordingly.

Events

Past Events

Show Upcoming Events

Pond management at Barn Hey, Leyland

Sat 22nd February, 2020 - Sat 22nd February, 2020

20200124 104109

The Rangers at South Ribble Borough Council have asked ARGL to help manage two ponds in Leyland by removing trees from their southern side. Brash will be used to create a dead hedge near the ponds.

Where: The ponds are near postcode PR26 8PH. If you will be attending this task please get in touch for details of where to park.

Time: 10am. (Tasks usually last until mid afternoon.)

What to bring: Lunch, plenty of water, waterproofs and strong footwear or wellies (definitely no trainers). Please wear old clothes and bring a pair of work gloves if you have them. Tools, hard hats and gloves will be provided for those that need them.

Habitat management at Risley Moss, near Warrington

Sat 7th March, 2020 - Sat 7th March, 2020

Risley Moss is an outstanding SSSI and an excellent habitat for both amphibians and reptiles. This task will help rangers from Warrington Borough Council to implement the management plan for the site by removing scrub from specific areas.

Where: Meet at Risley Moss Visitor Centre, Birchwood, Ordnance Avenue, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 6QX

Time: 10am. (Tasks usually last until mid afternoon.)

Habitat management at Risley Moss, near Warrington

Sun 24th October, 2021 - Sun 24th October, 2021

Where: Meet at Risley Moss Visitor Centre, Birchwood, Ordnance Avenue, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 6QX

Time: 10am. (Tasks usually last until mid afternoon.)

Ponds in Leyland, near Preston

Sat 6th November, 2021 - Sat 6th November, 2021

ARGL has been invited to help manage a number of ponds in Leyland. Great crested newts are present in some of them, but others are completely shaded by willow. This will be the first in a series of tasks to make those ponds suitable for amphibians by removing overhanging trees.

Where: Parking at this site is limited. If you can attend please contact david@arglancashire.co.uk for further details.

Time: 10am. (Tasks usually last until mid afternoon.)

Preparation for reptile surveys at Risley Moss, near Warrington

Sun 21st November, 2021 - Sun 21st November, 2021

This task will involve the placing of reptile survey tins in readiness for spring surveys. This is really important as we can’t start the reptile surveys until this is done. If enough people attend, the day can also include some habitat management.

Where: Meet at Risley Moss Visitor Centre, Birchwood, Ordnance Avenue, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 6QX

Time: 10am. (Tasks usually last until mid afternoon.)

Preparation for reptile surveys)

Ponds in Leyland, near Preston

Sun 12th December, 2021 - Sun 12th December, 2021

Ponds in Leyland, near Preston

ARGL has been invited to help manage a number of ponds in Leyland. Great crested newts are present in some, but others are completely shaded by willow. This will be the second in a series of tasks to make those ponds suitable for amphibians by removing overhanging trees.

Where: If you can attend please contact david@arglancashire.co.uk for further details.

Time: 10am. (Tasks usually last until mid afternoon.)

What to bring: Lunch, plenty of water, waterproofs and strong footwear or wellies (definitely no trainers). Please wear old clothes and bring a pair of work gloves if you have them. Tools and gloves will be provided for those that need them.

Habitat management task cancelled due to COVID

Sun 19th December, 2021 - Sun 19th December, 2021

Apologies for any inconvenience caused

Pond management at Wymott, near Leyland

Sat 8th January, 2022 - Sat 8th January, 2022

Work will continue on the management of some extremely shaded ponds to make them suitable for amphibians. This will be the third in a series of tasks on a very worthwhile project.

Where: If you can attend please contact david@arglancashire.co.uk for further details.

Time: 10am. (Tasks usually last until mid afternoon.)

What to bring: Lunch, plenty of water, waterproofs and strong footwear or wellies (definitely no trainers). Please wear old clothes and bring a pair of work gloves if you have them. Tools and gloves will be provided for those that need them.

Pond management at Wymott near Leyland

Sun 16th January, 2022 - Sun 16th January, 2022

Work will continue on the management of some extremely shaded ponds to make them suitable for amphibians. This will be the fourth in a series of tasks on a very worthwhile project.

Where: If you can attend please contact david@arglancashire.co.uk for further details.

Time: 10am. (Tasks usually last until mid afternoon.)

What to bring: Lunch, plenty of water, waterproofs and strong footwear or wellies (definitely no trainers). Please wear old clothes and bring a pair of work gloves if you have them. Tools and gloves will be provided for those that need them.

Pond management at Wymott near Leyland

Sat 12th March, 2022

Work will continue on the management of some extremely shaded ponds to make them suitable for amphibians. This will be the fifth and and final task of the spring.

Where: If you can attend please contact david@arglancashire.co.uk for further details.

Time: 10am. (Tasks usually last until mid afternoon.)

What to bring: Lunch, plenty of water, waterproofs and strong footwear or wellies (definitely no trainers). Please wear old clothes and bring a pair of work gloves if you have them. Tools and gloves will be provided for those that need them.

Record a sighting

Membership

Why become a member of ARGL?

ARGSL_membership_leaflet_2010.pdf

Becoming a member of ARGL is a great way to help us, and to develop your knowledge and skills too. The annual membership fee for ARGL is £6.00. Membership entitles people to:

e-mail updates on ARGL's activities and achievements
The opportunity to take part in ARGL activities, e.g. surveys and conservation tasks.
ARG UK Insurance when involved in these activities.
A reduced registration fee at the national ARG UK amphibian and reptile conference.

Even if you don’t join in with our activities, simply being a member demonstrates your support and this helps us to promote the case for amphibian and reptile conservation. Membership subscriptions are used carefully by the group and for essential expenses and to support practical conservation work.

To join ARGL please complete both forms below and e-mail them to us at argsl*btinternet.com.

ARGL_membership_form.doc

ARGL_Volunteer_Working_Agreement.doc

Please pay your £6 membership fee by BACS. Details are:

Amphibian & Rptl Grp of S/Lancs T/A ARGSL
The Co-op Bank
Sort code: 089299
Account number 65172737

Under “payment reference” please enter your name so we know it’s your membership payment that’s been received.

ARG UK has produced a generic risk assessment and all volunteers are advised to read this carefully before taking part in activities:

ARG_UK_Generic_risk_assessment.xls

The group was known as ARGSL from 2004-2017, but the name change was made to more accurately reflect the recording area of the group. The group bank account retains the name of ARGSL.

Projects

Whats in your pond?

To help us find out more about garden ponds as habitats for amphibians, please take part in the What's in Your Pond? project. If you don't have a pond of your own, why not take a look at a garden pond belonging to a friend or relative? All records will be incorporated into the Lancashire Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project.

Whats_in_your_pond.pdf

Lancashire amphibian and reptile atlas project

One of ARGL’s main objectives is to collect data on the distribution of amphibians and reptiles. Our main project is the Lancashire Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project (LARA). To find out more, please go to the project’s website: http://www.lara-project.org.uk/

Amphib__Reptile_guide_-_please_tell_us_what_youve_seen.pdf