Nottinghamshire Amphibian & Reptile Group (NARG) aims to further the knowledge of frogs, toads, newts, lizards and snakes in Nottinghamshire.The group actively supports the conservation of these often secretive and misunderstood creatures, as well as supporting members with training, field trips and surveys.

The main aim of the group is to generate amphibian and reptile records to aid the conservation of these species within the county. We achieve this through surveys which are ran throughout the year, as well as workshops (e.g. on animal identification) and other events and projects our members can join in with.

In Nottinghamshire we have four species of amphibian, the Common Frog, Common Toad, Smooth Newt and Great Crested Newt, as well as 3 species of reptile, the Grass Snake, Slow-worm and Common Lizard (all of which are harmless).

If you do see one of these species please record your sightings on Record Pool - this can be done through our website under the 'Record a sighting' tab.

Want to help? Have a look at the 'How you can help' tab at the top of the page to find out more.

Full Event info is on our members-only Facebook Group:

Nottinghamshire ARG (NARG) | Facebook Group

For enquiries we can also be contacted at:

NottsARG@hotmail.com

See previous newsletters here:

NARG_Newsletter_1_2024.pdf

With amphibians and reptiles in decline globally, conservation efforts targeting these species are becoming more and more vital.

Some of the ways you can help conserve Nottinghamshire's amphibians and reptiles are listed below. All of our events are open to anyone, no matter your level of experience!

Members - events published on social media 

• Setting up survey sites 

To better understand the distribution of our herps, we need to be setting up new survey sites (as well as surveying our existing sites!). Members are able to assist with setting up new sites and will learn how we do this most effectively to monitor populations. Sites where we find no amphibians and reptiles are just as important as those that have large populations, as they give us an idea of where management efforts need to be targeted to increase species numbers. 

• Training

Occasionally we offer ID and survey training where you will be taught by some of our enthusiastic committee members. Training events offer opportunities to learn new skills and meet new people! Throughout the year we also have in field training for both amphibians and reptiles where members can learn new ways of surveying, why we survey and how records are beneficial. 

• Reptile surveys

Reptile surveys are carried out regularly and are published on our survey members Whatsapp group. With all of our sites being sensitive we do not publicly publish their locations to prevent unnecessary disturbance. These usually take place in the early morning and consist of visual searches and surveying refugia, providing an opportunity to practice your ID and habitat recognition skills. 

• Amphibian surveys 

Amphibian surveys aren't carried out as regularly as our reptiles survey, but we try to offer them as often as we can. Like our reptile sites, we do not publicly publish their locations to prevent unnecessary disturbance. Amphibian surveys are usually carried on sites that hold all four of our local amphibian species. They are carried out late at night and members can learn ID skills, habitat recognition and survey methods such as torching and egg searching. 

• Habitat restoration 

Although our amphibians and reptiles are resting once the survey season has finished, our members are not! Winter provides the perfect time to clear areas that become inaccessible due to vegetation and many of our sites need clearing annually to ensure they remain suitable for our species. Habitat restoration days consist of cutting down scrub and creating brash piles whilst still allowing areas for reptiles to bask. 

Non-members 

• Toad patrols

As the weather gets warmer in February and March, our amphibians start to migrate to their local ponds. Often this means that they have to cross man made barriers like roads to breed and unfortunately this means there is often a high casualty rate. Volunteers head out during the evenings with a bucket, highvis and torch to save those amphibians from the roads, placing them next to their ponds, we have a few sites across Nottinghamshire, so please get in contact with our Toad Patrol Coordinator at nottsargtoadpatrols@hotmail.com to find your local patrol.

• Event stalls

These events allow NARG to reach a wider audience and educate the public on the importance of amphibians and reptiles and how they can help. These events are usually free to attend and will be published on social media as well as our website.

None of these events require a certain time commitment, so even if you attend one event thats a great help to us! If you do wish to find out more about any of these events, please email us at NottsARG@hotmail.com.

How can we help you?

There may be many ways you can help us, but we can also help you!

• Have you seen something but don't know what it is?

• Are toads crossing the road near you, and you want to help them?

• Do you want us to check a site where you think there may be amphibians or reptiles?

• Are you worried about snakes in your garden? (Don't be as they will be harmless Grass Snakes or Slow-worms)

 Please contact via email if you wish to help us out or if we can help you any way. We may take a few days to respond as we are all volunteers!

Membership costs just £5.00 per year. Your membership will help NARG to protect the amphibians & reptile of Nottinghamshire. As a member you be able to take part in conservation events arround the county.

Option 1 : £5.00 GBP - yearly

You can help NARG achieve its goals by a simple donation towards our activities. Donations are put towards equipment used for habitat management, survey equipment and materials for public engagement eg fact sheets.

By becoming a member you will be insured for any activities and future benefits. If you wish to join or donate then you can pay through paypal using the buttons or we can accept cash or bank transfers. Contact nargtreasurer03@outlook.com with your details to pay by bank transfer.

If you have any enquiries about amphibians and reptiles in your local area, or Nottinghamshire in general, we would love to hear from you.

Please find ways of getting in contact below: 

For sightings, event details and members chat, please see our members only Facebook Group

Nottinghamshire ARG (NARG) | Facebook Group