Cornwall Reptile & Amphibian Group

About us

About Us

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

Outings and meetings to develop members knowledge of the species found in the county
Participation in survey work
Practical conservation tasks
We also have social activities and get togethers with other specialist wildlife groups.

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 free. New members are welcome to apply to join at any time. You can download a membership form here: CRAG_2019_Membership_Application_Form_Blank.docx.

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.

News

Ninja Turtle Races to Protect Amphibians and Reptiles

Posted on Wednesday 1st May, 2019

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 brave the rain at Treloggan Doorstep Green

Posted on Monday 10th December, 2018

A big thank you to the volunteers from CRAG and Treloggan Doorstep Green Residents Association who braved the rain on Saturday 8th December to maintain the Treloggan Doorstep pond!

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.

Penhale Outing 2018

Posted on Saturday 26th May, 2018

Thank you to everyone who showed up to the Joint CRAG/CWT outing to Penhale on Sunday 20th May 2018.

The weather was ideal for the visit. Our small group was treated to sights of no less than 22 slow worms, as well as a grass snake and a small toad.

Special thanks to Cornwall Wildlife Trust ranger, Jon Cripps, who was also able to point out some of the rare flora and fauna that make this a very unique location.

CRAG AGM 2017

Posted on Saturday 4th November, 2017

The CRAG AGM 2017 took place at Cornwall College, Newquay on Monday 9th October.

Successes over the past year include a well-attended trip to Carn Moor, the setting of tins and monitoring at Tregantle (nr Saltash) and a surge in new members thanks to CRAG's attendance at various events including the Freshers Fair at Cornwall College, Newquay.

Nicola Morris and Steve Green chose to step down from their secretary positions due to pressure from other commitments. Jade Clayson has taken on general secretary duties, while Ruth Corbett will be the new Membership Secretary.

Helen gave us an update on her work with Sand Lizards and their habitat management.

We discussed the situation and requirements of sites we currently monitor and suggested new sites we could take on.

Full minutes available:

Minutes_of_CRAG_AGM_09.10.17.docx

University Researcher Looking For Help

Posted on Friday 10th March, 2017

Hi all, I am a researcher at the University of Exeter (Penryn Campus) investigating frog colouration and predator vision. I am looking for potential sites in Cornwall to conduct my research: anything from small garden ponds, to larger natural habitats that may be home to the common frog. If you are able to help, or would like to know more about my research please get in touch: ar430@exeter.ac.uk – thanks! Alice Rosen

Events

Past Events

Show Upcoming Events

workshop on survey protocols for herp populations.

Fri 16th March, 2012

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

Visit to Bissoe Reserve

Sat 14th April, 2012

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

CRAG outing at Swanpool with Jack Perks

Sat 16th June, 2012

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.

Bio-blitz at Tremough campus

Sat 16th June, 2012

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.

Argal & College Reservoirs

Sat 21st July, 2012

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.

Habitat Management at Bassett's Cove

Sun 18th November, 2012

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 .

Indoor Meeting at Tremough Campus (19:00 - 21:00)

Tue 4th December, 2012

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.

Group meeting

Tue 18th March, 2014

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.

Bioblitz

Sat 31st May, 2014

Exeter University are holding their annual Bioblitz at Tremough campus. The event is intended to promote an interest in wildlife and many groups take part. CRAG have been invited and will be attending. We will also help support SINNG which are a local group focused on research into Non-native invasive species. This includes fauna and flora species.

Penhale Sand Dunes reptile and amphibian surveys

Sat 9th April, 2016

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!

Record a sighting

Photo gallery

Photo Gallery

Contact us

Contact Us

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.

Download a CRAG Membership Form

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Telephone

Address

Instagram

Facebook

www.facebook.com/CornwallReptileandAmphibianGroup/

Twitter

www.twitter.com/CornwallRAG

Google+

Secretary - Katy Nicholls - katycragsecretary@gmail.com

Membership Secretary - Ruth Corbett - ruth.v.corbett@googlemail.com