This trip takes CRAG to Breney Common, a site of special scientific interest. The aim of the trip is to monitor pre-existing artificial reptile tins as well as conduct amphibian surveys. Please bring suitable footwear. The event begins at 10am and shall be finished at 12pm. Please meet at Breney Common, Lanlivery, Bodmin, Cornwall PL30. This is a members only trip, membership will be available on the day at £5 and is free to students!

The grid reference for the car park at Gunwen Methodist Chapel is SX 05271 61249. The nature reserve is accessed by walking from the car park. Turn left whilst facing the chapel and walk approx. 200 yards. The footpath to the reserve is on the left.

Look out for CRAG at this year's Tremough BioBlitz at Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9EZ. The campus is just off the Treliever roundabout on A39, then follow the signs to the BioBlitz. Free car parking will be available. The BioBlitz will be going on all day, from 6am to 9pm, though the main event will be from 10am to 5pm.

Looking for a fun way to spend the day? Want to learn more about our wonderful Cornish wildlife? This FREE event is open to all ages and is brilliant for families who are looking for entertainment with an educational focus! Activities will include nature walks, small mammal trapping, treasure hunts, moth trapping and many more. Enjoy a raffle with amazing prizes, make your own wildlife with our arts and craft stalls, get your face painted and have a jump on the bouncy castle! Wildlife and charity organisations from all over Cornwall will be joining us with loads of exciting stalls, activities and opportunities for you to get involved in. Food and drink will be available to buy from a range of local suppliers, and in the shops on campus. This is the fifth annual BioBlitz and following the success of the previous events, this year’s is set to be spectacular! BioBlitz is being funded by the University of Exeter and EcoSoc (one of the university’s student led societies). To sign up for early morning or late evening events such as bird ringing and bat walks, please email bioblitz.penryn@gmail.com in advance to register. Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian to attend these events. Join the event on Facebook: ‘BioBlitz Tremough 2016’

The next trip will take us to an extensively monitored site on the North Coast of Cornwall. We will be replacing some of the artificial refugia that has deteriorated over the years. Whilst it may be too hot to find a great deal we are still in with a chance of spotting slow worms, common lizards, grass snakes and adders as well as contributing to future surveys and boosting the record pool!

The trip will take place between 9am-11am Saturday 25th of June. We shall be meeting at Goonhavern Garden Centre, Newquay Rd, Truro, TR4 9QQ at approximately 8:45am before heading off to the site. As the location is small we have restricted the numbers on this event to 10 people. If you would like to attend please email Stuart (event leader) directly atstuart.edwards24@btinternet.com.

The National Trust are holding a 24 hour BioBlitz at Lundy Bay near Polzeath to record as much as they can in 24 hours, and CRAG will be helping out.

Become a wildlife detective by seeking out plants and animals whilst discovering facts about them from the wildlife experts. Whether for an hour or 24, the choice is yours, get invloved with as much or as little as you like, but come along and discover the wildlife on your doorstep.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/f5a4ad26-9367-44b3-82dd-efe5efc295c1/pages/details

Any questions, contact northcornwall@nationaltrust.org.uk or 01208 863821.

The CRAG AGM will take place on the 22nd Sept at The Hawkins Arms, Zelah from 6:45pm.

This is your chance to get involved in taking the group forward. Please find below the agenda of the meeting.

1. Apologies
2. Matters arising from the previous meeting
3. Chairman and Treasurer’s Report
4. Election of Officers and Committee Members
5. Review of membership fees
6. Consider the direction of our relationship with Cornwall Wildlife Trust
7. An update on changes etc to the sand lizards’ site, and suggestions as to what we can do to help
8. Consider our ability to monitor existing sites, and also the merits of taking on new challenges, eg Tregantle
9. Dates of meetings for the next year
10. Any other business

Amphibian and Reptile Groups of UK (ARG UK) and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) are proud to be able to announce the first national adder meeting. Tickets are available from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-vanishing-viper-priorities-for-adder-conservation-tickets-26151082592?aff=efbnreg.

The meeting will address all aspects of adder conservation including:

• Strategic challenges and solutions for adder conservation
• Insights from survey and research
• Managing landscapes sympathetically for adders: opportunities and challenges for land managers
• Public interactions with adders – what messages should we be broadcasting?
• Site protection, regulation and policy issues
• Mitigating development impacts 
• Prioritisation of threats and conservation actions for the adder

If you're interested in going please contact our treasurer Chris White (chrishtw@hotmail.com) as there may be a possibility of car sharing.

2.00 to 4.00 pm (or stay longer if you like)

We will meet up again with the Warden, Dougy Wright, who says it's been a good year for adders. He will show us the best spots.

We are likely to go ahead regardless of the weather. There is a lot to interest us at this site, so come and see. We might also be putting down tins for future reptile surveys.

Directions:
Windmill Farm is 1 mile north of Lizard village. Take the A3083 (Helston to Lizard) towards Lizard village and turn right at the ‘Wild Camping’ sign (not far after you pass Action Paintball). You will know you are on the right lane as you will be able to see the old windmill directly ahead of you. Follow the lane till you reach the windmill. Park in the open area at the end of the lane.
SW 694 153

AGENDA FOR THE MEETING TO BE HELD ON 29^th NOVEMBER, 2016

At the Hawkins Arms, Zelah, at 6:45 pm

Chair

Welcome and Introductions

Are there any matters arising from our AGM, which was held on 22^nd September, 2016? A summary of events since that date.

Secretary

An update from Nicola/Stephen.

Treasurer

An update from Mark on the current state of our finances.

1. Lizards – at the AGM we agreed that we would use this opportunity to discuss any maintenance required at the site before the new season commences. Who will be available to become involved, and what level of supervision is required?

2. In the past we have had no active part in Toads on Roads, and other similar exercises. Should we be seen to do so, and if so how should we go about getting involved?

3. It has been previously suggested that we should integrate with CWT’s Fox Club in terms of giving school talks, which would avoid the need to obtain a ‘displaying animals licence’ from Cornwall Council. Do we have the resources to carry this out?

4. Since our last meeting, we have visited Windmill Farm on the Lizard, although the weather was far from kind. Children attended this outing, which is recommended by ARG, do the group agree and if so do we need a junior membership to keep all participants insured?

5. A date has already been set in March to revisit Windmill Farm in the hope of viewing adders that have recently emerged from hibernation. Has anybody come up with ideas for further events?

6. Any other business.

AGENDA FOR THE MEETING TO BE HELD ON 29th NOVEMBER, 2016

At the Hawkins Arms, Zelah, at 6:45 pm

Chair
Welcome and Introductions

Are there any matters arising from our AGM, which was held on 22nd September, 2016? A summary of events since that date.

Secretary
An update from Nicola/Stephen.

Treasurer
An update from Mark on the current state of our finances.

• 1. Lizards – at the AGM we agreed that we would use this opportunity to discuss any maintenance required at the site before the new season commences. Who will be available to become involved, and what level of supervision is required?
• 2. In the past we have had no active part in Toads on Roads, and other similar exercises. Should we be seen to do so, and if so how should we go about getting involved?
• 3. It has been previously suggested that we should integrate with CWT’s Fox Club in terms of giving school talks, which would avoid the need to obtain a ‘displaying animals licence’ from Cornwall Council. Do we have the resources to carry this out?
• 4. Since our last meeting, we have visited Windmill Farm on the Lizard, although the weather was far from kind. Children attended this outing, which is recommended by ARG, do the group agree and if so do we need a junior membership to keep all participants insured?
• 5. A date has already been set in March to revisit Windmill Farm in the hope of viewing adders that have recently emerged from hibernation. Has anybody come up with ideas for further events?
• 6. Any other business.

Sunday 26 February (11:00 – 13:00)
The purpose of this trip will be to check the existing tins and the new tins that will be placed by SG and Cornwall College students on 11 January.

If you would like to join us, please let Nicola Morris know you are coming so we have an idea of numbers.