Avon Reptile and Amphibian Group (ARAG)
About us
About Us
ARAG was first set up in 1995 & has become firmly established since 2006. It seeks to promote reptile & 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 & 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
Store - You can visit or merchandise store via https://arag.teemill.com/
Insta - You can follow our Instagram via https://www.instagram.com/aragbristol/
Facebook - You can join our Facebook group via 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
ARAG T-Shirt & Hoodies now available
ARAG have partnered with ethical champions Teemill to launch our new clothing store.
Hit the link for our initial range of branded t-shirts & hoodies featuring our logo & the ReSSSuscitate Project logos
ReSSSuscitate Rodway now up & running. Habitat Session Thurs 7th Aug 6pm
Following on from the success of our ReSSSuscitate Project in Frome Vale we recently launched a new ReSSSuscitate Rodway Project to improve habitats on Rodway Common. Ian & Harry Webb will be leading the 2nd volunteer session on Rodway Common from 6pm on Thurs 7th Aug. If you would like to be involved please check your emails and follow the guidance set out there. No Himalayan Balsam pulling or manure shovelling at this site!
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.
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 completed Insurance Form directly to toads@froglife.org with fishpondstoads@arag.org.uk copied in
Risk_Assessment_Fishponds.docx
Fishponds_Insurance_Form_2024.docx
Chew Toad Patrol - please email the completed Insurance Form directly to toads@froglife.org with Chewvalleytoads@arag.org.uk copied in.
Bitton Toad Patrol - please email the completed Insurance Form directly to toads@froglife.org with bittontoads@arag.org.uk copied in
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
- ARAG T-Shirt & Hoodies now available
14/08/2025 6:30 pm - ReSSSuscitate Rodway now up & running. Habitat Session Thurs 7th Aug 6pm
05/08/2025 6:44 pm - 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
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