NMARG was formed in 2005 and is a group of about 70 members who are mostly involved with the conservation and monitoring of the reptiles and amphibians found in the area, especially the rarest two species, the Merseyside Race Sand Lizard and the Natterjack Toad.
During the Winter months, we undertake habitat management work, sometimes in partnership with other ARG groups, Natural England staff and volunteers and the Sefton Council Coast and Countryside Ranger Service. This vital work involves the clearance of unwanted scrub and trees, especially Sea Buckthorn, a highly invasive alien shrub on the Sefton Coast, which would otherwise shade out the precious Sand Lizard and Natterjack habitat. In the Spring, NMARG members also help to create and maintain the patches of bare sand essential for Sand Lizard egg laying.
During the Spring and Summer months we spend a large amount of time recording and monitoring the local reptile and amphibian species, especially the rarer species. NMARG's EPS licensed members also help to provide training in reptile and amphibian surveying.
Anyone wishing to get involved, seeking advice or supplying records are very welcome. Please contact Mike Brown at mb001b9658@blueyonder.co.uk
NMARG members now have the benefit of a new website, based on ARGWEB, which gives more details of events, surveys etc. However, this website will still be kept updated of current and future events, for now.
Now that Winter is virtually upon us, NMARG is drawing up our usual schedule of regular volunteer habitat management tasks on the Sefton Coast dunes, for the benefit of our indigenous reptile and amphibian species, especially the rarer ones, the Sand Lizard and Natterjack Toad. These tasks involve the clearance of invasive scrub and small trees, and will be held mostly on alternate Tuesdays and Sundays. The Tuesday tasks will generally involve working alongside the Green Sefton Rangers, who will be clearing larger trees and having a fire, weather permitting, to dispose of all the brash we create.
Anyone wishing to participate in these volunteer tasks is very welcome to join NMARG (if you havn't already), and help out with the work. For further details, please contact Mike Brown on mb001b9658@blueyonder.co.uk
The Events section will be updated regularly through the Winter with details of individual tasks.
Our first habitat management task of the Autumn/Winter season is taking place on Sunday November 6th, when we will be cutting down Poplar regrowth/suckers on one of the areas of fixed dune at Ainsdale, where a small colony of Sand Lizards is surviving. We will be meeting at 10am. For further details, please contact Mike Brown, on mb001b9658@blueyonder.co.uk
Habitat management task Ainsdale
Tue 21st November, 2023 - Tue 21st November, 2023
Our next habitat management task is taking place at Falklands Way dunes, Ainsdale, on Tuesday 21st November, when we will be clearing scrub and small trees, in order to create a corridor of suitable habitat for lizards, which will link two parts of the site. For further details, please contact Mike Brown, by email, on mb001b9658@blueyonder.co.uk
Next habitat management event at Ainsdale
Sun 10th December, 2023 - Sun 10th December, 2023
NMARG's next volunteer habitat management event is taking place on Sunday, December 10th, when we will be clearing poplar and Sycamore regrowth/suckers/saplings on a fixed dune site at Ainsdale. For further details, please contact Mike Brown, by email, on mb001b9658@blueyonder.co.uk
Our next habitat management volunteer task is taking place on Tuesday, January 9th, when we will be cutting down poplar regrowth and suckers, also some Sea Buckthorn, on Birkdale Corridor. For further details, Please contact Mike Brown, on mb001b9658@blueyonder.co.uk
Last NMARG habitat management task of the Winter 2023-24
Sun 3rd March, 2024 - Sun 3rd March, 2024
NMARG's final volunteer habitat management task of the current Winter is taking place on Sunday, March 3rd at Big Balls Hill SSSI, Ainsdale, when we will be cutting down poplar and Sea Buckthorn regrowth and suckers. For further details, please contact Mike Brown on mb001b9658@blueyonder.co.uk.