Avon Reptile and Amphibian Group (ARAG)
About us
About Us
ARAG was first set up in 1995 and has become firmly established since 2006. It seeks to promote reptile and amphibian conservation throughout the counties of Bristol, South Glos, Bath & North East Somerset and North Somerset. It aims to improve the knowledge of the distribution of our native herpetofauna, educate the public and increase the awareness of the challenges faced by this group of animals.
ARAG is committed to achieving these aims through surveys, undertaking practical conservation projects, and assisting with local toad patrols.
If you are keen to join the group and participate in activities then please complete the joining slip and email this to info@arag.org.uk
You can also join our Facebook group by clicking on this link - https://www.facebook.com/groups/AvonRAG/
Please note that simply joining the Facebook group will not give you membership to the full group. For this you will need to complete the joining slip and email this to info@arag.org.uk
If you are visiting this site having seen a media clip or press release about toad patrols then hopefully we can help point you in the right direction. Please click on the Toad Patrols tab above.
News
News
Work-based Volunteer Day with ARAG
In August ARAG were joined by staff from a local financial services company for a day of reptile surveying & habitat improvement work to the south of Bristol. The volunteers made use of an employer scheme offering employees a paid day of volunteering for a local charity or community group.
The volunteers were first shown how to actively search for reptiles in grassland habitats before moving on to help with structured transect surveys. It was a very hot day meaning that the only adder of the day was seen out in the open at the first site. Common lizards were active for a little longer but a large number of gravid females slow worms were found under refugia even when temperatures were very high approaching midday. The team then assisted with creating compost heaps for grass snake egg-laying at one of our favourite reptile surveys sites.
Himalayan Balsam Removal Session - Sat 25th May, 2024
ARAG volunteers cleared three areas of Himalayan Balsam from our main ReSSSuscitate Project site in Frome Vale. We will be organising another session before the plants reach the point of seed dispersal (typically late July onwards). The invasive Balsam is pulled out at the root and is then left to rot down on existing compost heaps in sunny locations. Adding to the heaps helps to provide amphibians & slow worms with useful habitat. Great work team!
ReSSSuscitate Project – Frome Vale
The ReSSSuscitate Project is now well underway in the Frome Vale area. Volunteers have already been busy improving habitats to make them more suitable for existing but fragmented reptile & amphibian populations. Volunteers have assisted with the creation of log piles, stone piles and compost/manure heaps and by blocking off unofficial paths with brash. We will be holding a project meeting over the coming months and hope to get volunteers engaged with local stakeholders (allotments & schools) and with other wildlife groups. We will also look at improving ponds in the area & other ways we can expand the scope of the project.
ReSSSuscitate Project coming soon.....
The ReSSSuscitate Project aims to improve existing wild & semi wild areas within the Frome Valley area to make them more suitable for existing but fragmented reptile & amphibian populations.
Our initial aims include creation of log piles, stone piles and compost/manure heaps (for grass snake egg-laying) at some of the wilder areas allowing reptiles to bask and breed more successfully. We also aim to map and improve ponds in the area and to encourage people to manage the land and introduce habitat features and plants that benefit reptiles & amphibians. As well as parks & wild or green spaces there are also schools and allotments within the zone and so we will be aiming to engage those stakeholders to improve linked habitat in the wider area too.
We are already working with Bristol Council at one of the core sites but will be appealing to our members to get involved with habitat improvements and engagement with other stakeholders to help us grow the project.
More details to follow soon including the logo for the project and information on how you can get involved.........
Toad Patrols Will Start Again Soon - Volunteers Needed.
ARAG Toad Patrols take place in Fishponds, Chew Valley & Bitton and we support independent toad patrols in Bath & Portishead too as well as at other sites throughout the former county of Avon. To find your nearest Toad Patrol visit the Froglife Map - http://www.froglife.org/what-we-do/toads-on-roads/tormap/
To join up with a toad patrol in Fishponds, Chew Valley & Bitton you can visit the relevant facebook page below. You can download the risk assessment and insurance forms from there. You can then email the completed insurance form to info@arag.org.uk.
If you aren't on facebook then you can email info@arag.org.uk confirming which patrol you would like to help with and we can send you the relevant patrol pack.
Fishponds Toad Patrol - https://www.facebook.com/groups/FishpondsToads/
Chew Toad Patrol - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChewToads/
Bitton Toad Patrol - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BittonToads/
Events
Events
Past Events
Show Upcoming EventsAdder Field Trip
Sat 18th April, 2015
ARAG are offering an Adder Field Trip to a local nature reserve. There are a couple of places still available so if you are interested please get in contact. The trip is free for exsting ARAG members. Non-members will be charged £10.
ARAG @ Bath Festival of Nature - 11:00–18:00
Sat 27th June, 2015
ARAG will be running a stall at the Bath Festival of Nature. Anna Ferguson & Helen Hobbs will be running the event on behalf of ARAG & Charlcombe Toad Rescue.
The link below will take you to the web page for the event. It is free to attend so if you are in the area please swing by and check out our stall and the other nature-themed exhibits.
http://www.bnhc.org.uk/
Royal Victoria Park
Himalayan Balsam Removal Session
Sat 25th May, 2024
ARAG volunteers cleared three areas of Himalayan Balsam from our main ReSSSuscitate Project site in Frome Vale. We will be organising another session before the plants reach the point of seed dispersal (late July onwards). The pulled Balsam has been left to rot down on existing compost heaps in sunny locations which helps to provide amphibians & slow worms with useful habitat.
Toad Patrol Forms
Toad Patrol Forms
Join a Toad Patrol by Completing the Forms Below:
We are looking for volunteers to help with our annual toad patrols. Patrols take place nightly in early spring each year. If you are interested in helping with the patrol then please download the attached files for the relevant patrol below and email the completed insurance form to the email address specified below. You cannot join a patrol until you have read the risk assessment & completed an insurance form so please do this before getting in touch. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) file should answer the majority of questions you may have and further guidance will be provided when you start to patrol. Please read the FAQs before asking any questions as its a very busy time of year for our Patrol Leaders.
Fishponds Toad Patrol - please email the insurance form to Fishpondstoads@arag.org.uk
Risk_Assessment_Fishponds_Inc_Covid_2024.docx
Fishponds_Insurance_Form_2024.docx
Chew Toad Patrol - please email the insurance form to Chewvalleytoads@arag.org.uk
CHEW_Risk_Assessment_Inc_Covid_2024.doc
Bitton Toad Patrol - please email the insurance form to bittontoads@arag.org.uk
Bitton_Risk_Assessment_Inc_Covid_2024.docx
Bitton_Insurance_Form_2024.docx
Paulton Toad Patrol - please email the insurance form to paultontoads@gmail.com
Paulton_Risk_Assessment_Inc_Covid_2022.docx
Contact us
Contact Us
Joining ARAG - To join please complete the attached ARAG Joining Slip and email this to Info@arag.org.uk Once approved you will be sent an email via our website.
You can also join/follow our Facebook page too. Please note that joining the Facebook group alone does not add you to our membership list for ARAG or for individual Toad Patrols.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AvonRAG
Submitting Reptile & Amphibian Records - Please visit the Record A Sighting tab. You can submit your records directly from this tab. If you have seen a snake or lizard please also email Info@arag.org.uk
If you have seen large numbers of amphibians on roads in springtime in an area not covered by one of our Toad Patrols please email Info@arag.org.uk
General Enquiries & Rescues - if you need assistance or need to contact us about an amphibian or reptile rescue please contact Info@arag.org.uk Please note that we are a volunteer organisation with limited resources.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events will be listed here.
Latest News
- Work-based Volunteer Day with ARAG
26/09/2024 10:53 am - Himalayan Balsam Removal Session - Sat 25th May, 2024
28/05/2024 12:33 pm - ReSSSuscitate Project – Frome Vale
16/01/2024 6:39 pm - ReSSSuscitate Project coming soon.....
09/05/2023 5:10 pm - Toad Patrols Will Start Again Soon - Volunteers Needed.
15/02/2017 8:56 pm
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