CRAG - Cornwall Reptile & Amphibian Group
CRAG aims to increase awareness and action on behalf of Cornwall's reptiles (snakes and lizards) and amphibians (frogs, toads and newts)
Its activities include
The group is open to anyone who would like to be involved with amphibian and reptile conservation in Cornwall.
A small annual subscription of £5.00 is payable by all Members, except students who can currently become a member for £1. New members are welcome to apply to join at any time. Click the Membership tab for full details.
CRAG is affiliated to the Amphibian & Reptile Groups of UK.
Please record all sightings of reptiles and amphibians seen in and around Cornwall and that includes non-natives such as terrapins.
We are very excited to announce our very first photography competition!
No matter what your age or photography experience, we want to see your photographs of Cornwall's amazing reptiles and amphibians! We even have prizes for the best shots!
If interested make sure to check the rules of the competition on the poster. The competition is open till the 1st November, so you have plenty of time to get that shot!
Happy herping!
In light of the coronavirus outbreak all group surveys and meetings will be postponed until further notice. This is in line with Government advice and that issued by ARG UK. Please follow the link below to read our latest advice: Thank you to those who kindly offered to lead survey trips over the coming weeks. Whilst we all want to head out and enjoy the season we can't put anyone at risk and the health and safety of our members is paramount. Providing members follow current advice on coronavirus and our lone working procedures Site Champions can continue to monitor local sites but all group work is suspended.Wishing you good health and I look forward to seeing you as soon as we are able to meet for a survey. |
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Earlier this year, CRAG invested in a set of nets, trays and other pond dipping equipment for amphibian surveys and educational activities. CRAG members have already used the kit extensively at various events, including regular community pond dips at Treloggan, Newquay, led by Teri Nicholls.
Meanwhile, Mark and Tricia Nicholson have been leading a project at Goonhavern School, which their granddaughter attends, to restore the school’s disappearing pond and bring it back into use. Pond dipping sessions using the CRAG kit have been invaluable in generating staff and pupil enthusiasm, awareness and involvement.
The pond was choked by reeds, smothered by the invasive non-native Crassula weed and half-covered by brambles, leaving hardly any water. Gradual clearance of this vegetation has brought the pond back to life, with each dipping day revealing a greater abundance and diversity of creatures.
Dealing with Crassula will be an ongoing issue, as this species grows on both water and land and is very difficult to control. It can recolonise a pond – or colonise another pond if transferred – from a small leaf fragment. All weed removed from the pond is being composted on-site in black plastic bags. If totally deprived of sunlight, it should die after several months.
To avoid the spread of invasive plants and diseases from one pond to another, the kit is thoroughly checked for plant fragments, cleaned and dried between events and outings.
Dr Steve Green, CRAG Scientific Officer, completed the London Marathon in a time of 4 hrs 38 mins, wearing the costume people voted for on his Giving page - a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle! So far he has raised over £2000 for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, not including additional Gift Aid, and this amount is still going up. There is still time to donate so please do visit his fundraising page. Stephen Green London Marathon 2019. Congratulations Steve! A fantastic achievement.
Volunteers dug out the silted stream and removed fly tipped rubbish, allowing water to flow into the pond to improve habitat quality and preserve this valuable site. The pond is home to a variety of aquatic invertebrates and spawning amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts.
This pond is of significant interest as it provides refuge to our native plants and animals such as water forget-me-not and amphibians. The Doorstep Green is also an invaluable educational and recreational space for local residents to enjoy.
In Britain we are losing many of our ponds due to pressures from urban development, pollution and agricultural drainage. These pressures can lead to reduced habitat quality, fragmentation of habitats and loss of the land entirely.
Thanks again to the volunteers, it was great to see both new and familiar faces, we hope to see you soon on future trips!
Want to get involved? Contact us to find out how you can help the reptiles and amphibians of Cornwall and their habitats.
Places are limited, so please contact Simone Breckell simone.breckell1@cornwall.ac.uk as soon as possible to register.
Please forward this information to anyone you know would be interested.
Best wishes
Simone Breckell
Receptionist
Cornwall College Newquay
01637 857957
CRAG - visit to Bissoe reserve Sat nav: TR4 8QZ Grid ref: SW772 414 Hope you can make it. Please let me know if you will be attending. Email: newtpete@hotmail.co.uk
Meet at Swanpool car park (near the crazy golf) at 09:30am
Jack Perks has kindly offered to show us around the site.
The meeting will last for about 2 hours
Please have a look at some of Jack's photos from previous outings, on his website
www.jackperksphotography.co.uk
Please make a big effort to attend, as we need to encourage members to arrange further outings around the county.
Tremough campus are holding a Bio-blitz to record as much wildlife for the site as they. CRAG already has an event at Swanpool on this day, but would be great if members were able to drop into Tremough to help locate and identify any reptiles and amphibians on campus.
It may be possible for some CRAG members to attend both events, as it would be good for the groups focus to have some input and hopefully get some records.
Meet at Argal car park at 10:30am (there is a pay and display parking system). Meet with CRAG members and hopefully see some amphibians and reptiles.
This will be the first task day in a project to restore/enhance an area of habitat, particularly for the benefit of adders. Basset's Cove is on the coast close to Tehidy Country Park. Meet at Bassett's Cove car park at 09:30. Please bring along bowsaws, loppers, mattocks, slashers, shears, spades and forks if you can. There will be a limited number of extra tools around. Also bring a packed lunch and dress for the weather on the day. Any further details or questions contact me at newtpete@hotmail.co.uk .
This will be a presentation on amphibian and reptile survey methods. As survey work is such a key part of CRAG's reason for existence, I hope that as many members as possible will come along to find out more and/or (if you are already fully familiar with the survey methodologies) to contribute to the discussion. Further details to follow.
We will be holding an activity planning evening at the Butchers Arms, Zelah. 18th March 2014
Meeting starts at 7pm sharp.
Please contact the Secretary if you are not a member but would like to attend.
This previously popular outting allows members the opportunity to enjoy surveying the extremely unique Special Area of Conservation that is Penhale Sand Dunes. We shall be conducting reptile surveys on a site known for adder, grass snakes and slow worms. As well as surveying for reptiles we will be checking the ponds for amphibians with chances of finding common toad, common frog and palmate newt.
Please meet by the South Gate near Treworthen Farm, Cubert (SW783567) just before 10am. Jon Cripps the Ranger will meet us and let us in to the MOD area. Anyone arriving after this will not have access.
This is a members only event however non-members can join on the day at just £5. Student membership is free. Stay tuned for more exciting events!
For general enquiries please contact:
Chair - Nicola Morris - nicola.morris@arguk.org
For question relating to the ecology of amphibians and reptiles in Cornwall please contact our Scientific Officer (see details below).
CRAG is always looking for new volunteers to help with habitat management and species monitoring. If you would like to get involved, please contact our Chair.
Secretary - Katy Nicholls - katycragsecretary@gmail.com
Scientific Officer - Stephen Green - stephen.green@cornwall.ac.uk
Treasurer - Mark Nicholson
Web Officer - Laura Fox
Social Media Officer - Becky Turner
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