Here are a few snippets and updates which you might find of interest.

Sand lizard project

A subgroup of ten CRAG members have received training and started work on a monitoring project at an established sand lizard introduction site.

Other survey work

Individually or collectively, various CRAG members continue to survey and monitor sites to improve our knowledge of reptile and amphibian distribution and status. This is fundamental to conserving species and habitats.

Adder genetics project

Our Scientific Officer, Stephen Green, is leading research on adder genetics. You can help by sending in any shed skins you find, with a note of where and when you found them. (While you’re looking, our friends at the Cornwall Mammal Group have asked if we have any adder, common lizard or slow-worm bones we can pass to them. It’s for a photo guide to otter spraint analysis.) Please email argcornwall@gmail.com for more information.

Photo Competition

Members are strongly encouraged to enter their pictures into the CRAG Photography Competition. You still have until 1^st November. There are prizes of a wildlife book and a year’s free membership of CRAG in three age categories. Just take a picture of any of our native reptiles or amphibians – without handling them. Photos must have been taken in the last two years. See the article below for more information.

Promotional events

In most years, we try to have a CRAG presence at various public events, to increase awareness of our reptiles and amphibians, to encourage positive action on their behalf, and to attract new members. This has been an unusually quiet year, but once we get going again we will be looking to upgrade our display equipment and promotional resources.

Volunteer Worker’s Agreement (VWA)

Any member attending a CRAG outing or practical event must have completed and signed a VWA – otherwise they are not covered by our insurance. To complete or amend your VWA:

• ·Click on: https://surrey-arg.org.uk/SARGWEB.php?app=LogIn&Org=CRAG
• ·(Don’t be confused by the ‘surrey’ bit – that’s where the site was first developed.)
• ·Enter your email address and password. (There should be a password reminder function if you’ve forgotten.)
• ·Go to My CRAG Account.
• ·Complete/amend your VWA details. Update any other details. Have a look at the other functions and information.

ARG UK

CRAG is part of Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK). The ARG UK website is packed with useful and interesting information. Go to:

https://www.arguk.org/

Can you help?

Do you have the necessary knowledge to lead an outing? Or would you be willing to arrange an outing, for which we would provide a leader? Would you be interested in joining the CRAG Committee? Could you help, for instance, with social media posts or with administrative tasks? Please email argcornwall@gmail.com if you're interested.

CRAG's Stephen Green is looking for shed skins, to help with research on adder genetics. If you find any, or if you have some in your nature collection, please email him via argcornwall@gmail.com.

Email your entries to argcornwall@gmail.com

On 2nd March 2024, ten CRAG members gathered for a Reptile Survey Training Day in North Cornwall. Led by Helen Fearnley, the event began with an indoor presentation on the UK reptile species, their identification and their natural history. This led on to practical advice on how to find and record them in the field.

The methodology was based on protocols used by the ARC Trust for its National Reptile Survey. Please see the following link for details of that: https://reptile-survey.arc-trust.org/

An afternoon visit to a sand dune site reinforced the survey methods, although cold and windy conditions meant that no reptiles appeared on the day.

Thanks to Helen for organising and leading the training. Also to Andy Nelson of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, who provided sponsorship for the event on behalf of the Making Space for Sand project.

18+ Category

We are very happy to announce the '18 or older' category winner of our annual photography competition!

This image was captured by Roger Fleet.

Judges enjoyed this image as the toad is sharp in contrast with the soft background, allowing the details of the toads skin to be captured!

Roger has some prizes on the way, including a book which was kindly donates by NHBS. Check them out as they have a wide range of books and wildlife products, perfect for a gift to yourself or someone special!

18+ runner up

We are very happy to announce the runner-up to the '18 or older' category winner of our annual photography competition! Unfortunately no one entered the '12-17 category' so we didn't want a prize to go to waste!

This image was captured by George Turner.

Judges enjoyed this image as the slow worm was sharp in contrast to the background, and captured the sunlight that every reptile is looking for.

George has some prizes on the way, including a book which was kindly donates by NHBS . Check them out as they have a wide range of books and wildlife products, perfect for a gift to yourself or someone special!

Up to 11 years Category

We are very happy to announce the 'Up to 11 years' category winner of our annual photography competition!

This image was captured by Olivia Williams. 

It's amazing to see people such as Olivia at such a young age getting involved and being interested in their local wildlife.

Olivia has some prizes on the way, including a book which was kindly donated by Evelyn Sinclair. Her books are perfect for children to learn about our native wildlife.