Hampshire And Isle of Wight Amphibian and Reptile Group (HIWARG)

About us

About Us

Hampshire is fortunate that the county covers a huge geographic area and a very diverse breadth of habitat including: the Isle of Wight, the New Forest National Park, the South Downs National Park, as well as many other unspoiled areas, including Woolmer Forest.
It is therefore unsurprising that we are host to 12 out of the 13 native amphibians and reptiles in UK, including rarities such as the Natterjack Toad, Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake, and wherever you live in the county there will be opportunities to survey and monitor an assemblage of amphibian and reptile species.

HIWARG formed in the Autumn of 2018 and is an affiliated independent ARG-UK group. The group focus is conservation of native UK species essentially around habitat management, surveying, public engagement, volunteer training & doing as much as possible to understand & protect the native species in the county.
All members are volunteers with a common interest.

If you have some spare time and would like to be involved with HIWARG, maybe you have taken a photo of a reptile or amphibian and would like it identified or maybe you have some other query, then please do get in contact info@hiwarg.org.uk

CONSERVATION THROUGH EMPATHY BY ENGAGEMENT

Visit HIWARG's Redbubble Shop to support our work www.redbubble.com/people/HIWARG/shop

News

Midwife Toads in the Winchester (Littleton, Weeke and Teg Down areas in particular) and possibly Colden Common areas

Posted on Sunday 18th June, 2023

Despite the lack of records, there is an anecdotal comment to suggest that Midwife Toads were known from the Winchester area and so we are reaching out to residents for their help in finding these elusive toads. By far the best way to identify the presence of Midwife Toads is by their calls, which has been likened to “an electronic beep, like a smoke alarm with a dying battery or a New Age car alarm” by Steve Allain, one of the lead national researchers of Midwife Toads.

With tonights drizzling rain, it is more likely that they will start calling if thay are still around. Visit the following links to hear a sample of Midwife Toads calling

http://stevenallain.co.uk/.../scifri-whats-that-beeping...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVPK899UwV8

We are hoping that residents in the Winchester area (especially Littleton, Weeke and Teg Down) will be willing to help by listening out on warm damp nights for the “beeping” toads. If you do hear these calls it would be really helpful if you can record the calls on your phone, or take photos if you manage to see one.

For all sightings/recordings, please contact us on:

HIWARG Amphibian Officer: amphibians@hiwarg.org.uk or HIWARG on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/455730808110700

Steve Allain: www.facebook.com/SJRAllain or https://twitter.com/stevoallain

Midwife Toads in Hampshire 2023

Posted on Wednesday 19th April, 2023

Midwife Toads are not a native species to the UK, but have been found in several colonies in parts of the country. Hampshire has been named as one of these locations in several sources, but there are no actual records that we are aware of. Despite the lack of records, there is an anecdotal comment to suggest that Midwife Toads were known from the Littleton area and so we are reaching out to residents for their help in recording these elusive toads.

Midwife Toads are smaller than our native toads, with adults reaching around 5cm in length. They can also be distinguished by their eyes, if you are lucky enough to spot one, which have vertical pupils as opposed to horizontal/oval pupils of our two native toads. By far the best way to identify the presence of Midwife Toads is by their calls, which has been likened to “an electronic beep, like a smoke alarm with a dying battery or a New Age car alarm” by Steve Allain, one of the lead national researchers of Midwife Toads. A big difference with these toads is that they are not as reliant on ponds for breeding, as the male toads carry the eggs wrapped around their back legs, hence their name. Breeding usually takes place between April and June so they should have been calling for a few weeks now. Visit Steve’s blog to hear a sample of Midwife Toads calling http://stevenallain.co.uk/.../scifri-whats-that-beeping... you can also hear individual calls on this Youtube link www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVPK899UwV8

We are hoping that residents in the Winchester area (especially Littleton, Weeke and Teg Down) will be willing to help both Steve Allain and HIWARG, by listening out on warm damp nights for the “beeping” toads. If you do hear these calls it would be really helpful if you can record the calls on your phone, or take photos if you manage to see one.

For all sightings/recordings, please contact us on:

HIWARG Amphibian Officer: amphibians@hiwarg.org.uk or HIWARG on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/455730808110700

Steve Allain: www.facebook.com/SJRAllain or https://twitter.com/stevoallain

Stuck for something to do over the Easter Weekend?

Posted on Wednesday 5th April, 2023

Big Green Frog Hunts are more exciting, than Easter egg hunts (although maybe not as tasty).

Conditions are not the best, but with sunny spells and temperatures tickling the 'teens over the weekend, the chances of spotting water frogs are on the increase. Pack a picnic, check the area on the map below and go for a walk. Take a camera and record your sightings and photos on www.recordpool.org.uk

Water frogs are non-native frogs in the Pelophylax group. They are a tricky group to ID to species accurately in the field so we typically call them water frogs.

As they are a complex of species, adult size can range from a similar build to our common frogs up to 50% larger. Other ID features are:

A very rounded nose/jaw, almost conical;
Eyes are more prominant and closer together than on common frogs;
They lack the "bandit" eye patch behind the eyes, as with common frogs;
Can have a yellow/green line down their spine, but not always present/obvious;
Lateral ridges on either side of their back;
Almost always in or close to water, often basking in the sun;
Will almost always spot you first, jumping into the water and disappearing immediately;
Calling males will have two vocals sacs, either side of their jaw. (common frogs call with their throat.)
Male calls sound like a cackling, croaking, quacking sound... they can sometimes be called laughing frogs.

We have four water frogs in our area, Marsh frog, Edible frog, Southern clade pool frog and Perez's frog. The following video will give you a rough idea of what to look for and hopefully listen out for: www.youtube.com/watch?v=472zFshwasA

You can download a fab ID guide at www.arguk.org/info-advice/id-guides/441-amphibian-id-guide-revised-2019-pdf

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Toads need your help

Posted on Tuesday 21st February, 2023

Toads and other amphibians have started migrating to their breeding ponds, but often get killed on our roads. There are three registered toad crossings on Froglife's Toads on Roads Map, but only two are manned by patrollers. If you can help save toads and other amphibians by becoming a Toad Patroller, visit https://www.froglife.org/what-we-do/toads-on-roads/tormap/ and find your nearest crossing.

If you want to know what Toad Patrols do, you can read more here https://www.froglife.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Patrol-Pack-2023-compressed_compressed.pdf

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Amphibian survey training

Posted on Sunday 8th January, 2023

Following the increased amphibian activity with this mild weather I am thinking of starting some of our survey and ID training for members a little earlier.

If you are a HIWARG member, check your email address that you used to join with. I will be sending out a generic email to all members on how to access training and I will be sending provisional dates to all current amphibian surveyors and those waiting training.

If you are not a member, but are interested in becoming a HIWARG amphibian surveyor click the 'Join up' tag above.

Events

Past Events

Show Upcoming Events

Crassula Bashula: Winter is Coming

Sat 29th October, 2022 - Sat 29th October, 2022

Winter is coming, and we need to beat back the Crassula before it regains its grip of this important pond with five species of amphibians.

No experience necessary as I will give a full briefing before we start. The more volunteers we have on the day, the bigger effect we will have.

We will be working slowly and methodically as accuracy and attention to detail is much more important than a hack and slash approach. This session will be focussed more on pulling up new shoots, so very light work, but a lot of bending/kneeling.

Bring:
> water/drinks to keep yourself hydrated
> comfortable, but sensible footwear for a practical activity (boots, wellies, but no open toe/back footwear)
>kneeling may be involved, so kneepads/mats will be useful
> small hand tools trowels etc, but rakes will be useful for tidying up*
> work gloves*
> buckets/garden trugs etc for moving small loads of waste*
> snacks/something to eat

*Please make sure that your footwear and tools have been cleaned and disinfected before and after the event as per biosecurity guidelines:
1. Use brush to scrub off any debris, plant fragments, mud
etc.
2. Rinse with water (pond water will suffice).
3. Soak in 4% bleach solution for at least 5 minutes, or Virkon for at least one minute (5 minutes where Bsal is
suspected).
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. If possible, allow to dry for before next use.
6. Keep field equipment inside plastic bags during transit and storage (after thorough drying) to reduce the
chance of transmitting pathogens.
For more details read Advice Note 4: https://www.arguk.org/info-advice/advice-notes/324-advice-note-4-amphibian-disease-precautions-a-guide-for-uk-fieldworkers-pdf-2

Meet at the village green and park along Tylney Lane towards the Old House at Home pub. If we get a few people attending. I will direct parking as appropriate. Tylney Ln, Newnham Green, Hook RG27 9AH 10am to 1pm

Hurn Forest Habitat Management 3

Sat 29th October, 2022 - Sat 29th October, 2022

10am to 1pm

A joint event with DARN. Clearing Birch and Pine from heather with hand tools. Please bring drink, snack, gardening gloves, waterproofs. Also bring loppers and bow saw if you have them - some tools will be available. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hurn Forest, Boundary Lane Forestry England Car Park (free) BH24 2SE off A31/St Leonards.

Hurn Forest Habitat Management 4

Sun 30th October, 2022 - Sun 30th October, 2022

10am to 1pm

Hurn Forest, Boundary Lane Forestry England Car Park (free) BH24 2SE off A31/St Leonards

Crassula Bashula: North Hampshire

Sat 12th November, 2022 - Sat 12th November, 2022

Saturday 12 Nov 2022 10am to 1pm

Winter is coming, and we need to beat back the Crassula and branched bur reed before they regain their grip of this important pond with five species of amphibians.

No experience necessary as I will give a full briefing before we start. The more volunteers we have on the day, the bigger effect we will have.

Bring:
water/drinks to keep yourself hydrated

comfortable, but sensible footwear for a practical activity (boots, wellies, but no open toe/back footwear)

kneeling may be involved, so kneepads/mats will be useful

small hand tools trowels etc, but rakes will be useful for tidying up*

work gloves*

buckets/garden trugs etc for moving small loads of waste* (very important)

snacks/something to eat

*Please make sure that your footwear and tools have been cleaned and disinfected before and after the event as per biosecurity guidelines:

Use brush to scrub off any debris, plant fragments, mud
etc.
Rinse with water (pond water will suffice).
Soak in 4% bleach solution for at least 5 minutes, or Virkon for at least one minute (5 minutes where Bsal is
suspected).
Rinse with clean water.
If possible, allow to dry for before next use.
Keep field equipment inside plastic bags during transit and storage (after thorough drying) to reduce the
chance of transmitting pathogens.

For more details read Advice Note 4: https://www.arguk.org/.../324-advice-note-4-amphibian...

Meet at the Tylney Lane, Newnham Green, RG27 9AJ and park along Tylney Lane towards the Old House at Home pub. If we get a few people attending. I will direct parking as appropriate.

ARC-BHS Joint Scientific Meeting 2022

Sat 3rd December, 2022 - Sat 3rd December, 2022

The Joint Scientific Meeting run by ARC and the British Herpetological Society (BHS) will be held in person at the Bournemouth Natural Science Society museum on Saturday 3rd December 2022. This is a very popular one day conference with science and research based presentations from the UK and overseas and ends with a raffle which raises funds for various great herpetofauna related causes.

https://www.arc-trust.org/Event/scientific-meeting-2022?fbclid=IwAR2PuBQarjSJ1bXERC9goyvzguK6fLUCkVDGyhfrKdhmYOb2FiErFKl18kY

Pond management

Sat 16th September, 2023 - Sat 16th September, 2023

The Street, Rotherwick, RG27 9BL

9.30am to 1pm

We will meet at the village pond (near Rotherwick Church), but parking will be road side in the village, so you may need to park your car a small walk away. Please ensure that you park appropriately and avoid blocking access or gateways.

We will be manually removing vegetation in a pond to help create some open water when the pond fills over the winter. The pond is home to all three native species of newts, including the protected great crested newt. No experience is necessary as we will give a full briefing before we start. The more volunteers we have on the day, the bigger effect we will have on enhancing the ponds habitats for wildlife.

The work will involve manually pulling up mostly shallow rooted vegetation, but we will also use hand tools such as spades and hand trowels. The cleared vegetation will be piled up for a later collection. We will start at 9.30am and finish at 1pm, with a break part way through.

Please bring:
Water/drinks to keep yourself hydrated

Comfortable, but sensible footwear for a practical activity (boots, wellies, but no open toe/back footwear)

Spades/forks, small hand tools trowels etc, but rakes will also be useful for tidying up

Gardening/work gloves

Buckets/garden trugs etc for moving small loads of waste

Snacks/something to eat during the break

To keep the risk of spreading unwanted plants and animals, either to or from the pond, please follow the Check, Clean, Dry guidelines: https://www.nonnativespecies.org/what.../check-clean-dry/

Please email info@hiwarg.org.uk if you are intending to join us

Crassula Bashula: The Third Season

Sat 23rd September, 2023 - Sat 23rd September, 2023

23 Sept 2023 9.30am to 12.30pm

Tylney Lane, Newnham, RG27 9AJ

Autumn is on its way and we need to beat back the Crassula before it regains its grip of this important pond with five species of amphibians, including an exceptional population of great crested newts.

If you were not aware, "Crassula Bashula" is our annual pond management of an pond with affected by the invasive non-native Crassula helmsii or New Zealand Pygmyweed.

No experience necessary as I will give a full briefing before we start. The more volunteers we have on the day, the bigger effect we will have on knocking the Crassula back for next years growth.

We will be working slowly and methodically as accuracy and attention to detail is much more important than a hack and slash approach. This session will be cutting the Crassula above the waterline into turves and moving to compost heap nearby, so there is a lot of bending/kneeling.

Please bring:
- water/drinks to keep yourself hydrated
- comfortable, but sensible footwear for a practical activity (boots, wellies, but no open toe/back footwear)
- kneeling may be involved, so kneepads/mats will be useful
- spades to cut the Crassula turves, small hand tools trowels etc, and rakes will be useful for tidying up*
- gardening/work gloves
- buckets/garden trugs etc for moving small loads of waste (very important)
- snacks/something to eat

IMPORTANT
Please make sure that your footwear and tools have been cleaned and disinfected before and after the event as per biosecurity guidelines:
1. Use brush to scrub off any debris, plant fragments, mud etc.
2. Rinse with water
3. Soak in 4% bleach solution for at least 5 minutes, or Virkon for at least one minute
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. If possible, allow to dry for before next use.

For more details read Advice Note 4: https://www.arguk.org/.../324-advice-note-4.../file

Meet at the village green and park along Tylney Lane towards the Old House at Home pub. If we get a few people attending. I will direct parking as appropriate.

SAT Nav address: Tylney Lane, Newnham, RG27 9AJ

If you are attending, please sign up at https://fb.me/e/4o9RxJKCP or email amphibians@hiwarg.org.uk

Alresford Apple Day at St John's Church

Sat 7th October, 2023

HIWARG are going to have a stall at the Alresford Apple Day at St John's Church, New Alresford a site which is a SINC for slowworms and HIWARG have had involvement with the management of the wild area for a number of years now.
Looking for a few folks to help out on the day, helping to enthuse visitors to the event about the local herp species and encourage them to log their records.
As a bonus, you'll probably get to see our very own celebrity Jonathon Cranfield performing...
If you are able to help, please visit https://fb.me/e/1wqfwAC4K and select "going".

Rotherwick Pond

Sat 28th October, 2023

Parking is just inside the entrance to Tylney Hall golf club, at the junction of Post Horn Lane and Stroud's Green Lane. Turn into the private road and park on the right under the trees.

RG27 9AZ W3W: emblem.baroness.stored

Meet at the pond: The Street, Street End, Rotherwick, RG27 9BL W3W: torso.coasted.clenching

This should take far less than the two hours allowed as we are only removing some of the mature reedmace.

We will be manually removing reedmace to reduce its coverage, but it will be a wader job for those pulling, who will pass waste vegetation back to those with wellies for removal from the pond.

The pond is home to all three native species of newts, including the protected great crested newt. No experience is necessary as we will give a full briefing before we start. We only need a small group for this activity, so if you want to join us for habitat management, the crassula clearance and heathland management will be a higher priority.

We will start at 9.30am and finish no later than 11.30am.

Please bring:
Water/drinks to keep yourself hydrated
Comfortable, but sensible footwear for a practical activity (boots, wellies, waders if you have them)
Rakes will also be useful for tidying up
Gardening/work gloves

To keep the risk of spreading unwanted plants and animals, either to or from the pond, please follow the Check, Clean, Dry guidelines: https://www.nonnativespecies.org/what.../check-clean-dry/

If you are attending, please visit https://fb.me/e/2NXWqH9Dr and select "Going" or email amphibians@hiwarg.org.uk

Heath Warren Scrub Clearance

Sat 4th November, 2023

Full details to be confirmed, so watch this space.

Parking is available at: Bramshill Forest Car Park, Bramshill Road, RG27 0PR
W3W: learn.tumblers.misty
OSGR: SU 76026 61314

Working at Heath Warren Flashes:
W3W: mows.fond.heaven
OSGR: SU 76701 59837

It is a fair walk from the car park to the work area so I will be looking into different access options for the day. If you want to attend, please keep watching these details for updates.

We will be clearing silver birch and willow scrub encroachment in the wider area, and are hoping for a large group of volunteers. We are partnering up with Forestry England, the Thames Basin Heath Partnership team and hopefully other voluntary groups.

Tools will be available on the day, but you are welcome to bring your own. You will need work/gardening gloves, rough outdoor clothing, with sturdy footwear and to dress according to the weather conditions at the time.

FE are providing a range of tools, including loppers and tree poppers and also a welfare van with refreshments and a toilet.

This event will be updated as details are confirmed.