As a group CARG offer the following opportunities
We are available and qualified to give
Training days carried out by expert ecologists
Social events
To become a member send an email request to
Bank transfer details will be forwarded to you.
You will receive a welcome email and login details to ARGWEB - in which the appropriate membership forms and voluntary forms will be required to be filled in for your membership.
Toad Patrols
Become a patrol manager of a registered road or a patroller to help to assist in helping our native common toad to their breeding ponds
Surveys
Contribute to the collection of data - building a picture of reptile and amphibian distribution within our county
Habitat Management
Practical ground management improving the quality of amphibian and reptile habitats
ARGWEB Management Software
Managing membership/ managing survey direction and reporting/sharing data info to land managers, owners, stakeholders
Our final update before 2022 !
The last few months have been a hive of activity for the group with end of season surveys, habitat maintenance and creation, our annual calendar competition and this year we added Christmas cards to our online shop with equal success.
Networking
As a group we have been very fortunate in working with some local groups:
Susan's Farm Houghton
A working Care Farm two miles from Carlisle providing opportunities for learning and practical work experience. A registered charity whose
VISION is that people’s lives are transformed by working together in purposeful outdoor activity so they can reach their full potential. Click for more information Susan's Farm
Members visited and carried out habitat suitability index on several waterbodies across two areas which are in trust of Susan's Farm. During the visit Common frog and toad at different life stages were recorded. Members carried out some pond clearance at a later date and created hibernaculum's for amphibians.
St. Pauls Church
Eden Wild Goose Nature Wildlife Pond
at St Paul's Holme Eden
December 2021 In partnership with The Cumbrian Amphibian and Reptile Group and The COOP Local Community Fund.
Eden Wild Goose Nature invited the Cumbria Amphibian and Reptile Group CARG to set up and run a survey in the grounds of St Paul’s Holme Eden church near Carlisle (CA4 8RF). Members of the local community were taught how to identify frogs, toads, newts and snakes. Following this, a six-week survey was managed by two members of the Eden Wild Goose initiative with the result that a frog and a toad were discovered in the private woodlands. In response EWG Nature decided to dig a small wildlife pond near where the amphibians were seen to work with nature and support biodiversity. The new pond was designed by CARG ready for the work to begin.
In early December 2021 a small team of four from CARG, two from Eden Wild Goose Nature and the local Member Pioneer from the COOP teamed up to complete phase 1 of the project. An area of 3mx3m was cleared to prepare for a pond liner to be set in the ground.
The funding for the project came from COOP Local Community Fund.
Thanks to all… from the amphibians and all the other water loving pondlife.
Graeme Skinner
For the above projects funding was gratefully received from the ARG UK 100% fund, this was to purchase equipment (refugia, PPE, ground tools)
EPAS Environmental Protection and Appreciation Society (University of Cumbria Ambleside)
CARG visited students at the Ambleside campus, where we gave a presentation on local native amphibians and reptiles, an insight in to what we do as a group and how volunteering can benefit the conservation students studies. A fun informative talk with games !
Calendar and cards
Our annual calendar competition was well received with many entries ! A big thank you ARG UK trustees for judging the winning images (not an easy task!)
This year we also had Christmas cards for sale raising funds for ARG UK. A one off illustration in pen and watercolour from Suzies Artwork
A further update will be announced on funds raised in due course
And.....
there is still time to purchase via this link which takes you to our online shop CARG Online Shop
Ashleigh Toomey's (CARG Education Outreach) Dissertation presentation
Well done to Ashleigh on the presenting of her dissertation work on Natterjack toads !
Coming up in 2022
A brief outline of what we have planned for the start of 2022
January /February
Online courses - Identification, ecology, survey techniques for amphibians and reptiles, ARGWEB
Online conferences - Herpetofauna Workers Meeting - Winter Symposium. Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre Conference
Toad patrol information and patrols starting
March
Practical training for members undertaking online courses
Surveys start !
Numerous surveys in the following areas
Ambleside/Windermere/Carlisle/Penrith/Kirkbride/Scottish Borders
More information for members on the surveys available nearer the time
Annual General Meeting CARG AGM date and venue to be confirmed
So a lot of varied projects to get involved with and if you would like to become a member or if you would like more information about the group
Please email cumbria.arg@gmail.com
All the best to our members and followers for the New Year
Best wishes
Suzie Collinson
CARG Chairperson
ARG UK Trustee
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!
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.
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!!!!!!
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.
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 !!!!!
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.
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.
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
A brilliant range of seminars available from ARG UK click here for link to you tube channel including
We have been able to help local reserves with Adder awareness on their sites with the handing out of informative posters
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
We now have a dedicated FB page for those members wishing to help with surveys
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 !
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
An introduction into basic ecology, habitat and survey techniques for the Common lizard.
Six places available and a commitment to carry on survey through the summer 2/3 visits per person maximum.
10.00am till 2.00pm.
By kind permission Natural England (Colin Auld)
Cliburn moss site and directions: NE540.pdf
Book your place cumbria.arg@gmail.com
Photos by Guy Broome (2019)
Thursday 4th of July
If you would like to come and help survey common lizards at Cliburn moss tomorrow please email cumbria.arg@gmail.com for further details.
Membership forms and voluntary forms are a requirement (found on 'About us page' for insurance purposes, they can be emailed or brought on the day. £5 fee covers the year, however free for students and under 16's.
A guided amphibian and reptile walk around the Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve at Foulshaw Moss.
Please use facebook page link to show interest.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/589703024785031/?ref=bookmarks
Saturday the 31st of August at 10.00am a guided walk given by reserve manager Kevin Scott will take place around the Cumbria Wildlife Trust site of Drumburgh moss.
The trust has seen a reduced number of sightings over the last couple of years of Adders and Common lizards and they would like Cumbria ARG volunteers to carry out a survey to estimate the populations of these reptiles.
The actual survey will commence early next year and people that would like to be involved are required to be CARG members for insurance purposes. Guidance and training on survey techniques will be given prior to the start of the survey.
For more information, history, location, fauna and flora that can be observed at Drumburgh see the following link:
https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/drumburgh-moss
To register your interest or for more information email: cumbria.arg@gmail.com
University of Cumbria, Fusehill St. Carlisle
Learning Gateway, Lecturer Theatre 6pm
An Informative talk on a two year study investigating the individual indentification of the cryptic lizard - Slow worm (Anguis fragilis)
Also information on Cumbria ARG, how to join and how to get involved with the counties native amphibians and reptiles.
Sunday the 10th of November 10.00 am onwards we have a end of season trip to Lakeland Wildlife Oasis at Milnthorpe LA7 7FE
Link to website https://wildlifeoasis.co.uk/
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
ill be posting more info in this group as and when i get it including letting you all know when the migration startsToad-Patrol-Pack-for-Patrollers.pdf
Many Thanks
Marr Carr
The following link will lead to information, registration details, presentations and workshops being held at the conference, held in Southport this coming February
https://www.arc-trust.org/Event/hwm2020
Annual general meeting for CARG committee and members
15th March - The Old Courthouse Shap CA10 3NL 2pm to 5pm
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
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
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:
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
How to record your sightings How to record your sightings
Membership Membership tutorial
Upcoming events will be listed here.
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.