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:
See previous newsletters here:
We recently held our first ever joint survey with Nottinghamshire Bat Group. The “Above and Below” event was a great success, with 21 people attending for an evening of amphibian and bat surveying. The evening began with some boot cleaning and a talk on the importance of biosecurity, followed by an introduction to the site and plans for the evening. The group was then split into two, with one group focusing on bats to begin with and then swapping over to amphibians and vice versa. Through torching and netting, the amphibian team managed to see Common Frogs, Common Toads, Smooth Newts and Great Crested Newts (as well as frog and toad tadpoles and Smooth Newt eggs) and using bat detectors and infrared cameras the bat team saw and heard Common Pipistrelles, Soprano Pipistrelles, Noctules, Daubenton’s and Brown Long Eared bats.
Many thanks to everyone who attended!
We ran our first amphibian survey of 2024 on the 20th April. We had an amazing evening where we discussed the history and use of the site where the training was held, and the different species of amphibians found in Nottinghamshire. We also talked about how important it is to clean our boots and practice biosecurity measures to ensure amphibian safety – boots were cleaned before and after the event.
The location we chose for the training was just perfect to showcase all four of Nottinghamshire's amphibian species, including the Common toad, Common frog, Smooth newt, and Great crested newt. We were able to find three species in just 30 minutes of the survey!
As part of the event, we organised a hand netting activity, which allowed the attendees to get an up-close look at various species. We also facilitated a hands-on survey of Smooth newts and Great crested newts, while keeping a close eye on the handling process to ensure the safety of both the newts and the participants.
Overall, it was a fantastic evening, and we received a lot of positive feedback from the attendees. One lady even expressed her delight in the newts' toes!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
In the 2024 amphibian migratory season, we built on the Toad Patrol project that was first started by Notts ARG in 2023. In 2023, there were approximately 15 toad patrollers that saved 600 toads across a handful of sites in Nottinghamshire. This year we signed up to collaborate with Froglife on their “Toads on Roads” scheme and worked really hard to promote the project (with dedicated Facebook and Whatsapp groups and articles written about us by Notts Wildlife Trust, Notts BAG and the Nottingham Post). The project has gone from strength to strength, and we now have 52 registered toad patrollers that have saved amphibians from road mortality at 17 sites across Nottinghamshire.
Our results for 2024 are as follows:
Species |
Helped |
Deceased |
Common Toad |
1780 |
360 |
Common Frog |
41 |
4 |
Great Crested Newt |
80 |
1 |
Smooth Newt |
13 |
17 |
We are thrilled to have saved so many amphibians from road mortality this year. Although it is devastating to also have to report on so many deceased amphibians, these figures will be useful to allow us to target our efforts in the correct areas next year.
As part of the toad patrol project, we have given training to toad patrollers (both in-person at toad crossings and as a webinar). Training has focused on amphibian ID, how to safely patrol and the importance of biosecurity in preventing the spread of amphibian diseases and non-native species. We also recently built on the success of the toad patrols with a non-members meeting, where patrollers (and other people interested in getting involved with Notts ARG) were invited for an evening of talks about the exciting work that we can do and the ways that they can get involved. Off the back of the meeting, we have had several new members sign up as Notts ARG members, and we recently took many of these new members on an amphibian training survey where they got the chance to see, ID and handle Common Frogs, Great Crested Newts and Smooth Newts (without the stress of a road!).
If you are interested in learning more about toad patrols or getting involved yourself, please contact our Toad Patrol Coordinator Kay at nottsargtoadpatrols@hotmail.com
I am sure everyone is getting tired of all this rain and feeling rather depressed by it all.
However, every cloud can have a silver lining.
Cloudy skies at this time of year tend to lead to milder nights, which with a bit of rain can lead to ideal conditions to see amphibians starting to return to ponds and other water bodies to breed.
Luckily I managed to build 2 small wildlife ponds in my garden about 4 years ago, and over time they have been populated by Smooth Newts and the odd Common Frog.
I can honestly say, it's something every avid wildlife conservationist/enthusiast should have in their garden.
On mild nights I usually go out in the garden with a good torch to see if there are any movements, and January is usually the month the Smooth Newts return to my ponds.
Tonight I have seen 5 Smooth Newts,3 male,2 female (last year my maximum count was 26 in April/May)
Other amphibians as well as newts can also be seen on mild nights in January, so keep your eyes out, and watch your steps in the dark as amphibians can travel quite a distance to return back to a breeding pond, which may mean crossing roads(Toad patrols coming soon) pavements or the garden path and lawn.
Keep those eyes peeled.
Some phone images from tonight's 'Amphibian garden watch'
Kevin .NottsARG Chair
First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in some way with Nottinghamshire ARG this year. Whether it has been through surveying, committee work, spreading the word, donations through membership etc or by some other means that I am failing to mention, thank you.
I also would like to thank the Forestry England team(especially Amy Chandler) , the National Trust Team and the Newstead & Annesley CP team who have been extremely supportive of the group and have done habitat improvements to benefit our native reptile and amphibians.
We are also looking forward to working with other partners in 2024, NottsBAG, Notts City Council and NWT to name just a few.
We have some plans of action for the new year with Toad Patrols being the first focus of the year, but we really need more people involved as more and more areas are opening up to us that will benefit our local herpetofauna.
Volunteer organisations always find it tough to find dedicated people to spare their valuable time and we hope we can find more like minded people in the new year and if you know someone please ask them if they would like to get involved.
We aim to have the AGM sometime in January and we would be looking at an online Microsoft Teams or Zoom meeting, I will be in touch soon when a date is finalised.
For now though, thank you again for your support, and I wish you and your families, a very Merry Christmas.
Kevin
NottsARG Chair
"Reptile Ramble"
Hi Everyone, we will be running our first members event at Newstead and Annesley Country Park on 8th Sept. 10am start.
We will be guided by Cameron & Kevin
Parking and meeting point: SK5217953030
Please e-mail NARG to request to join the event
Tuesday 6 December 7.00pm
NottsARG in conjunction with Forestry England will be partaking in some habitat management.
Approx 9.00-2.00 TBA
Email us if interested at nottsarg@hotmail.com
Reptile habitat work party
Approx 9.30-2.00 TBA
If interested please email us at nottsarg@hotmail.com
Coming soon
We will be resetting transects and refugia ready for the upcoming reptile survey season in February, (weather permitting).
Watch this space and our social media channels for updates on how you can join us and help on the day.
NARG Reptile survey session – Clumber Park Sat 29 April 9.30 – 12.30. Members only - Free
The morning will be an informal event.
After meeting /registration and safety brief we will be looking for reptiles using well versed surveying techniques.
The session will be open to all NARG members, on the basis that the area stays confidential and is not revisited unless on an official survey, as the areas we survey are by permit only.
The session is limited to 8 places, although we may increase this to 10 if able.
Please do not say you are coming and then do not turn up as this would take a place from someone else.
Contact Kevin Clarke by personal message to request a place.
Nottinghamshire ARG will have a stall at Sherwood Pines on the 14th October 2023, if you fancy a day out, why not come and visit us between 9:30am and 3:30pm.
Come and ask questions, see what projects you can get involved in, talk to our committee members about how you can help your local amphibians and reptiles and see what we have planned for the next few years.
We look forward to seeing you!
The Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Entomological Society’s show returns at Brackenhurst University (NG25 0QF), after a gap due to the Covid pandemic. The event starts at 10:30am and finishes at 4:30pm.
This free one day indoor event is open to wildlife groups and organisations across the East Midlands. Normally there are displays, live exhibits, talks and items for sale. The event is wheelchair accessible and the café will be open for refreshments.
Nottinghamshire ARG and Derbyshire ARG will have a joint stall, with exhibits and information on amphibians and reptiles. Feel free to pop along and say hello!
While we may publish some events here, full info and joining instructions will be on the Facebook Group (link below)
We will be running a range of events across the county, introduction to surveys, habitat management etc.
Please note all events are for NARG members only - but it's easy to join!
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.
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!
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
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