Herpy New Year !

Calender

So to start with a very big thank you to all of those that were involved in the CARG Calender competition

To Ashleigh (CARG outreach) for putting the project together ! 

To all the members for their entries, absolutely amazing images !

To  the ARG UK trustees for the very difficult job of choosing the winners !

and last but not least to those that purchased a calender  - the funds will be used for much needed survey equipment for the forthcoming season.

There is still the opportunity to buy one of these fabulous calenders 

CARG online shop

 

ARG UK position on reintroductions

ARG UK POLICY STATEMENT CONCERNING REINTRODUCTIONS

ARG UK celebrates those who are passionate about conserving our native reptile & amphibian species. We support reintroductions as a last resort (following relevant legislation & guidance) to restore the former range of species still present or return of an extinct species to its historic native range, such as northern pool frogs.

For ARG UK's full detailed position statement concerning reintroductions, please visit: https://www.arguk.org/.../arg-uk-policy-statement...

A link to ARG UK's Advice Note 12 on Reintroductions is also available there (https://www.arguk.org/.../amphibian-and-reptile...) as well as a link to a talk from our Autumn Seminar Series on understanding and managing amphibian diseases (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jjlIRHmuIg&feature=youtu.be)

 

Spawn Surveys 

The Fresh water Habitats Trust have launched their annual spawn survey - If you have spotted spawn in your pond or while out exercising (please stay safe and stick to government guidelines) let them know! Go to http://bit.ly/SpawnSurvey2021

 

 

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Natterjack Volunteers Required 

CALL FOR CUMBRIA NATTERJACK TOAD RECORDERS!

ARC coordinate the national monitoring scheme for natterjack toads across the UK. We are currently looking for volunteer recorders in Cumbria to join our team. Find out more: www.arc-trust.org/call-for-cumbria-natterjack-toad-recorders

 

 

TOAD PATROLS

Hi Everyone. I'm starting to get my head around toad patrols for this year. if you've never heard of toad patrols its basically supporting amphibians on their migration to their breeding ponds by helping them cross busy roads (i.e. stopping them from getting squashed!). the patrols are coordinated across the country by Frog Life (more info here: https://www.froglife.org/what-we-do/toads-on-roads) but each site/crossing is managed individually. the sites need to be registered with Frog Life and all volunteers taking part also need to be registered (for insurance). i have attached the pack produced by Frog Life that has all the info in as well as the volunteer form

I manage two sites, one in South Cumbria and the other just over the border in North Lancashire. managing the sites basically involves coordinating volunteers to make sure as much as possible there is someone out patrolling when the amphibians are moving.

There are a number of patrol sites around Cumbria (these can be found following the link above) but its also possible to get new sites registered. i am in the process of contacting West Cumbria Rivers Trust who manage a couple of sites as well as the managers of the other Cumbria sites. my aim is to have a network set up so we can support each other with advertising for volunteers and with letting each other know when the migration has started

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the patrols (how they work, what you need to do etc), would like to help with mine (yes please!) or has a site in mind that may need one i am more then happy for you to msg me or email me: mail@wildlifeoasis.co.uk

I will be posting more info on the Fb page  as and when i get it including letting you all know when the migration starts

Many Thanks Matt 

 

GAMBIA August 2021

We had our first zoom meeting with Project Wild Gambia finding out what they can offer us as a group herp wise in the amazing country of The Gambia !

Previous projects can be found via this link Amphibian and Reptile Research

More info can be found on the dedicated FB page https://www.facebook.com/groups/740700883063664 in which further zoom meetings will be advertised, there is also a recording of our first meeting if you wish to watch ! 

Below is an image I (Suzie) took while in The Gambia of a beautiful Green mamba ! 

 

 

It’s finally here! What we have all been waiting for, the 2021 CARG calendar. I have attached some images of the finalised calendar to get an idea of what it will look like.

Again, a massive thank you to all that submitted photos and to ARG UK for judging the competition. It was a tough one!

There are varying sizes available to buy including A5 (£8), A4 (£10) and A3 (£15). Profits made from sales go directly to CARG to support us in education outreach and survey equipment. Just click the link below!

https://www.fluidic.co.uk/c/6083/cumbria-amphibian-reptile-group

Photos used in this calendar have been taken with non-disturbance photography. Any photos you may see showing handling have been taken during surveys for identifying purposes.

COMPETITION TIME! We need you to send us your most fantastic photos of our native UK herps. The winning 12 photos will be used in our very own special 2021 CARG calendar. The winner of our overall favourite will not only have their photo on the front of the calendar, but they will receive one as their prize! All photos used will be referenced. The calendars will be available to purchase after the competition has ended on the 14^th November.

Submit your photos to edoutreach.cumbria.arg@gmail.com for a chance to win your spot in the calendar! Good luck 😊

Hi 

Hope everyone is keeping well and safe !

Well it hasn't been the survey season we were preparing for or expecting - we had lots of great activities planned for members during the summer months. 

However, the facebook page has been a great way to keep things ticking over with training courses, quizzes, on line seminars and information for followers.

Link to seminars and training courses 

ARG seminars

Training courses

Lots of interesting outreach fundraising/activities/training and surveys are currently being prepared -  Group calendar, Toad patrols, Natterjack monitoring, Burial ground surveys, Education visits, Field trips, Corporate training - so keep checking here and on our FB page for updates.

We are always looking for people to become more involved by becoming a member and joining these fantastic activities helping to conserve our native amphibians and reptiles.

PLEASE READ OUR LATEST ADVICE CONCERNING THE COVID-19 VIRUS OUTBREAK

Please follow this link - in which a risk assessment specific to COVID 19 is available and the current best practice advice from CIEEM for its members, which sets out sensible precautions which ARG volunteers may wish to adopt when surveying 

COVID UPDATE