Cumbria ARG
News
News
November 2019
At the beginning of November we were invited to Lakeland Wildlife Oasis at Milnthorpe.
The visit included a guided informative talk and tour from the reptile and amphibian staff Matt and Sarah (both CARG members)
We were shown a wide variety of herp species and gained knowlegde on their husbandry requirements, breeding projects and the benefits of the new enclosures installed
A fantastic day a a very big thank you to all the staff at the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis !
We welcomed new members to CARG and held a mid year year meeting discussing projects past, present and future
October 2019
This week we were in invited to give a talk at the University of Cumbria - Introducing the group, what with have been up to this year, what we have planned and how students can get involved with voluntary work.
Cumbria_Amphibian_and_Reptile_Group.pdf (Presentation slides)
Suzanne Collinson also gave and informative talk to the audience in regards to her dissertation work "Using Identification of Slow Worms (Anguis fragilis) to Investigate Refugia Fidelity"
Zoo_society_talk.pdf (Presentation slides)
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/19618411 Part 1 (Recording of talk to assist slides)
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/19625619 Part 2 (Recording of talk to assist slides)
Coming up in November - End of Season Trip to Lakeland Wildlife Oasis - See November Events !
Mapping Cumbrian Amphibians and Reptiles
Over the past couple of months University of Cumbria student Katherine Monaghan (Animal Conservation Science BSc (hons) student) has been working hard on creating a comprehensive map of cumbrian herpetofauna for CARG.
This will help us as a group plan more surveys in the future and we can see if numbers are increasing or decreasing. Putting in to plan conservation measures to maintain or encourage numbers.
Katherine has a passion for Anuran (tailless amphibians - frogs and toads) and is currently helping to collect data for the following PhD study - follow link for more information:
Katherines is also currently undertaking her dissertation subject titled "How Temporal and Spatial Factors affect South African Anuran Bioacoustics"
Thank you for all your hard work katherine and keep us up to date with your research !
REMEMBER TO RECORD YOUR SIGHTING - This can be done directly through this web site or you can send records to ourselves at cumbria.arg@gmail.com and we will enter the data for you
We cannot make a difference across the county - unless people record their findings !
August/September 2019
The weather put a lot of organised events on hold sadly during August, however volunteers have been busy behind the scenes, with the collaboration of data from surveys undertaken, building a data base for the county and planning training and events for next year.
A presentation is planned for October to introduce the new University of Cumbria Zoology students to slow worms and Cumbria ARG opportunities and our end of season meeting at Lakeland wildlife Oasis will be at the beginning of November (date and time to be confirmed).
Three of the committee members enjoyed a wee holiday on the Isle of Mull in September with various aves and mammals observed. A small group of Common toads living in the cottage garden were the only amphibian or reptiles observed!
Coming up......
Volunteers wanted
With Cumbria being a large county we are looking for volunteers to help create sub groups in the south, west and central areas.
A least one day a month commitment to help run toad patrols in the new year and surveys next spring.
If this interests you please email cumbria.arg@gmail.com
Watchtree basic survey day
During August (date to be confirmed) we are holding a training day on basic reptile - common lizard / amphibian- frog and toad survey techniques. This is for members only and will include an introduction to the species, how to plan and carry out a survey. Refugia will be placed across the reserve and a continuation of monitoring will take place early next year.
Data collection
A conservation student from The University of Cumbria is currently compiling a reptile and amphibian data map for Cumbria which will help us progress with surveys in the future.
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis Event
Towards the end of September and to mark the end of summer surveying "Lakeland Wildlife Oasis" are inviting us to a exclusive tour of their park (wildlife park group fee applies). However, anyone that attends this event will receive a planned second event early next year (free of charge) this will be to visit their new reptile enclosures and conservation breeding programmes.
ARGWEB Login
ARGWEB Login
Toad Patrols/Disease
Toad Patrols/Disease
TOAD PATROLS
Toad patrols are for supporting amphibians and reptiles on their migration to their breeding ponds by helping them cross busy roads (by stopping them getting squashed!)
The patrols are supported by Froglife Toads on the roads but each site is managed individually and sites need to be registered with Froglife and all volunteers taking part need to be registered for insurance purposes
Contact details for our South Cumbria patrols: Email address for Toad Coordinator Matt
BIOSECURITY
Please find below important information for all outdoor workers or herp enthusiasts about biosecurity.
An introduction to amphibian and reptiles biosecurity Biosecurity_web_page.pdf
A disease guide for fieldworkers Amphibian_Disease_Precautions_A_Guide_for_UK.pdf
A disease alert to protect wild amphibian and reptile species by reducing disease risk in captive amphibian and reptilesReducing_disease_risks.pdf
Disease profiles
Education/Projects
Education/Projects
"Finding Sanctuary" Project
In many urban locations small green sites exist, this can include churchyards and burial grounds (allotments, golf courses, parks, commons and school grounds). These areas can represent some of the few remaining peaceful havens for wildlife and people in an increasingly busy world. Even in the countryside, much of our biodiversity has been lost to intensive agriculture and infrastructure development.
These locations may then also provide a welcome respite for many of our native creatures including birds, wildflowers, fungi and lichens, mammals and invertebrates. These areas are often overlooked and can be an important home for our native amphibians and reptiles, which are often residing in the damp corners that so often characterise old churchyards for example.
We often have reports of common frogs and toads, newts, slow-worms, common lizards, grass snakes, and in some exceptionally special places even our most vulnerable native snake, the adder.
However, many reports are anecdotal, and whilst many churchyards and subsequent green areas have a ‘wild area’, this is often simply left and little is done to map the wildlife using it, or to target habitat improvement for specific species.
This project aims to focus on our forgotten creatures, those that inhabit the forgotten areas.
Activities will be coordinated through our county-based network of volunteer amphibian and reptile groups (ARGs).
Cumbria ARG will work with its local diocese, and other faiths, and local communities to identify burial grounds and green spaces that may be of greatest importance to wildlife, based on their location, existing habitat or habitat connectivity, and the passion and interest of the local community
Finding_Sanctuary_Project_Pack.docx
Up to date COVID 19 Risk Assessment 
ARG_UK_Generic_Risk_Assessment_June_202128572.doc
An introduction to amphibians and reptiles on allotments Allotments_leaflet.pdf
Some ID guides from ARC Trust and ARG UK:
Education Material for Schools and Parents
To record the species you see Record_Sheet.pdf
Information posters
A quick introduction to amphibian and reptiles for primary school children Primary_School_Amphibians_and_Reptiles_poster.pdf
Adders are Amazing Activities
Practical activity 5_Food_chains_and_webs.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 7_Wind_snakes_activity.pdf
Practical activity 8_Adder_hunt_quiz_activity.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 9_Adder_stone_trails_activity.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 13_Adder_nightlights.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 15_Adder_amulets.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 17_Adder_bookmarks.pdf
Baking activity 18_Snake_snacks.pdf
English and literature activity 19_Adder_poetry_activity.pdf
Class work
Power point looking at differences between snakes and lizards (emphasis on Slow worms) Reptile_school_talk_slow_worms.pptx
Frog and toads
Basic images showing frog metamorphosis Frog_cycle.pdf
A frog mask template to decorate Frog_mask_template.pdf
Detailed Information on Common frogs, Common toads and NatterjacksNative_frog_and_toad_posters.pdf
Mix and match game - matching the correct definitions to the correct speciesMix_and_Match_Game.pdf
A quick guide to spawn identification ARG_UK_Spawn_ID_.pdf
Toad patrol involvement for children and vulnerable people 
Toad_Patrols_for_Children_and_Vulnerable_people.JPG
Amphibian and Reptile Quiz
Identify the correct species by just their eyeball. A tricky but fun quiz! Eye_ID_quiz.pdf
Mix and match game - match the correct habitat to the correct species Habitat_Mix_and_Match_.pdf
Note down the correct habitat or habitats for the species. Similar to the mix and match game but with pictures!Habitat_Quiz.pdf
Reptile Activities
Arts and crafts activity Snake_rock_poster_activity_.pdf
Video Tutorials
How to record your sightings How to record your sightings
Membership Membership tutorial
Contact us
Contact Us
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events will be listed here.
Latest News
- January to July Summary
08/07/2022 5:27 pm - End of Year Update
28/12/2021 1:56 pm - Summer Update
15/09/2021 12:16 pm - Season Update
06/06/2021 4:37 pm - Spring Update
07/04/2021 9:36 am
© Cumbria ARG
Website hits: 12946
View All | Find out how to get a mini-website for your ARG
© ARG UK Local Groups mini-websites 2022
Wind powered websites by Aye-aye Design.
