A busy and productive summer with events, surveys and records of amphibian and reptile sightings.

In June members visited Foulshaw moss. We explored different amphibian and reptile habitats and we got to see the different basking behaviours of Slow worms and Common lizards

We also were invited to take part in Open Farm Sunday held at Susan's Farm Houghton Carlisle where we chatted to visitors about amphibians and reptiles, handed out information leaflets about what we do as a group and we also had games for people to partake in 

CARG also began supporting the Friends of the Lake District project "Dark Skies Cumbria" Click on link below to find out more about light impact on our amphibians 

Light pollutions impact on our native amphibians

We held a members day at Lakeland Wildlife Oasis - looking at their new reptile enclosures and their excellent conservation breeding programme for endangered frogs 

We have also been involved in the release of captive bred Sand lizards (captive bred in the county)

We also had our yearly report published in  Birds and Wildlife in Cumbria 2020

This is available at Cumbria Bird Group to purchase 

At the start of September we have started working with the community group Eden Wild Goose at St Pauls Church Holme Eden setting up surveys within their burial grounds and also mapping water bodies at Susan's Farm Houghton 

So a busy a summer and thank you to all involved !

We have lots to look forward too!

• Committee meeting
• Members meeting
• New education school workshops
• Calendar competition 
• Planning next years surveys !

Finding Sanctuary Project

Well on the way is our Finding Sanctuary Project 

Members having been very busy setting up reptile surveys at their local burial grounds and small green spaces - with some fantastic results ! 

Records have included amphibians and reptiles- in particular Slow worms being present which fantastic news.

Spot Light Surveys 

This last month has seen us incorporate spotlight surveys to the county. These pinpoint areas in which we have no records present currently. Members can access this through ARGWEB under the spot light button and check out the areas included (we will have a new one each month so covering different areas of the county). Non members can still see the location via our Facebook page and records can be uploaded as a casual record via the website records page and will be included. Currently the area spotlighted is just North east of Carlisle - this area includes Scaleby moss, which has a past history of Adders, Common lizards and amphibians.

So if you live close to the area check it out - we want your sightings!!!!!!

Volunteer Week 

The first week of June has been volunteer week celebrating our dedicated volunteers - committee members and signed up members all giving their time to learning, carrying out surveys and outreach of how fabulous our native amphibians and reptiles are :) We could not do the work we do without them.  

Summer Plans 

We have lots planned including formal and informal walks and talks, survey and training sessions - so keep an eye on this websites events, the Facebook page and emails for more information to come. 

If you would like to be more involved why not become a member - only £5 for the year and with this you will have access to events running across the summer.

Click here to email Cumbria ARG

Herp surveys are well on their way !!!!!

Toad Patrols News!

 A message from Matt our toad patrol coordinator 

Silverdale site: 22 different patrollers (between 2 and 7 out at a time) gave up a total of 32.25 hours of their time over 30 nights to help 329 frogs, 871 toads and 358 newts for a total of 1558 amphibians helped.

Stainton lane site: 3 different patrollers (between 1 and 2 out at a time) gave up a total of 35 hours of their time over 28 nights to help 16 frogs, 446 toads and 1 newt for a total of 463 amphibians helped.

if you've been out patrolling i'd love to hear your stats too

I've also managed to get out and visit 3 other sites this year including one that will hopefully be registered next year. and i've been told about a few more that will need checking out next year.

please remember to send your stats to Froglife and upload them to ARGweb (all sites have a section in the toad patrol area).

finally another reminder to fill out the freshwater habitats spawn survey if you see any spawn

so all that's left is for me to say a massive thank you to all of you for your hard work and dedication to helping our amphibian friends.

Cumbria Biodiversity Centre Conference 

A fantastic online conference bringing together numerous recording groups from across the county. We were involve in the conference giving updates on 2020 recording figures and events that had taken place and introduced a list of projects for the forth coming season.

Carlisle NATS talk 

A talk presented by Suzie Collinson on two current monitoring programmes - both looking at identifying individuals within Slow worm and Adder populations. A shorter version of the talk is available here NATS talk

ARG UK Seminars 

A brilliant range of seminars available from ARG UK click here for link to you tube channel including 

The role of reintroductions in rewilding

ARG uk Seminars

Adder Awareness

We have been able to help local reserves with Adder awareness on their sites with the handing out of informative posters 

Finding Sanctuary Project

Our Finding Sanctuary Project is up and running !!!!!

Volunteers exploring and surveying burial grounds and small green spaces local to them (fully supported)

For more information please head to the website tab Projects/Education 

Voluntary Survey Group

We now have a dedicated FB page for those members wishing to help with surveys 

CARG Survey group

If you would like to find out what we are all about and discover what we do as a group and see the exciting projects we have coming up for 2021 - click on the link to view our recorded meeting !

Annual General Meeting 2021

If you would like to view a presentation (slimmed down version) of the Carlisle Natural History Society Talk on Slow worms and Adder identification studies 

Presentation Carlisle NATS

We have a fantastic selection of activities for school and home. All are available free of charge to download (On the Education and Tutorial page tab). Choose from  "Amazing Adders" and a selection of Amphibian related information and games !

This will be updated regularly with more fun activities and learning resources - so keep checking!

We would love to see the end product from these activities -so please share your creativity with us on our Facebook page ! Facebook page