SliC - Slow-worms In Churchyards

One of my first jobs as Chair of DARN is to try to set up reptile transects across Dorset that are accessible to everyone who is interested and hence fulfil DARN’s motto of ‘Conservation Opportunities For Everyone’.

All communities have a church and churchyard nearby and many churches now have wildlife areas. Some churches are already involved in monitoring their wildlife and others would like to but need help to get started. So this project brings together survey opportunities, record collecting and knowledge about reptiles, in this case particularly Slow-worms, across Dorset.

Any church can participate in the project. As Chair of DARN I am concentrating on Dorset initially but I know that other counties are keen to be involved as well.

DARN is keen to work with other Groups to broaden our understanding of the distribution of reptiles across Dorset.

If you know of a church community that might like to be involved in the project then leave a message on the DARN Facebook Group, on Messenger or email: darn2020@yahoo.com

The survey involves putting 5 – 10 corrugated bitumen roofing tiles, in the sun, but out of the way, at an edge of longer grass or shrub habitat. These are then checked by either church volunteers or DARN volunteers, once a month and the records added to the DARN website via the ARGWEB. Each church or cluster of churches will have its own Land Manager portal so that they can see a map of where the reptiles are and this can then inform future habitat management. Full training will be given so there is no need to worry about lack of expertise either in reptile ID or the online recording system.

DARN looks forward to working with church communities across Dorset.

Sheila Dyason

Chair of DARN

Conservation Opportunities For Everyone

 23/07/2020

Hello again!

I hope you’re all keeping safe and well.

Naturally, not a lot of DARN surveys have been carried out over the past few months but we have just started again in Ringwood Forest. Nevertheless, throughout the lockdown, some records were still coming into the DARN database – which is fantastic! So, thank you, everyone!

If you have any records, historic ones are fine as well, add them to Casual Sightings on the DARN website: www.groups.arguk.org/darn  or on Record Pool: www.recordpool.org.uk or email the details to: darn2020@yahoo.com

The recent fires in Dorset and Hampshire, some deliberate and others through thoughtlessness, are sad and frustrating. Some people just don’t care about our precious wildlife. How species manage to survive is a miracle. On the other hand, because reptiles are difficult to find, some people do not realise they are in the area.

Amphibian survey training is just beginning in Hampshire. If you are interested in amphibian or reptile survey training then make sure that your DARN membership is up to date and for insurance purposes, that you have completed the Volunteer Worker’s Agreement (VWA) and we will add you to the list.

Just before lockdown I was about to set up transects at Motcombe and I was investigating sites in the Purbeck area. If you have any other suggestions for sites, maybe just 3 or 4 tins near where you live, just let me know and we can set it up.

Pete Gillatt took these fabulous photos earlier in the month in Dorset – thanks Pete! Pete has a rare reptile licence and was surveying under that licence.

Any ideas or questions just email

darn2020@yahoo.com

I look forward to hearing from you

Best wishes

Sheila Dyason

Chair of DARN

Conservation opportunities for everyone!

I hope you have all had a good hibernation and are fully refreshed and ready for an exciting new survey season!

DARN now has a bank account and Paypal operational so if you would like to pay the annual £6 subscription or donate to DARN then this is now possible on

the Home page.

STOP PRESS:

On Sunday 26th April there will be an opportunity to undertake reptile survey training at a joint event with HIWARG (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Amphibian

and Reptile Group) and another partner, in the New Forest. If you are interested in this then email

darn2020@yahoo.com

and further details will be sent out as preparations are finalised. You will need to be a DARN member and have completed the VWA (volunteer worker's

agreement) which you are prompted to do once you join. This is so that you are covered by ARGUK's insurance.

DARN has 9 reptile transects in Ringwood Forest. More survey sites are needed so if you know of an area that needs surveying or a landowner who might

be interested in knowing what reptiles are on their land, then email

darn2020@yahoo.com

with the details. Similarly, email if you know of any churchyards or cemeteries with wildlife areas that may have Slow-worms. This is another area I would like

to develop.

Any spawn or animal sightings can be added on the Home page, Record a sighting, or if you are already an amphibian or reptile surveyor on the on-line

recording page.

Any ideas or questions just email

darn2020@yahoo.com 

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing some of you at the reptile survey training.

Best wishes

Sheila

Chair of DARN

Conservation opportunities for everyone!

Sheila Dyason, Secretary of HIWARG (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Amphibian and Reptile Group) is the new Chair of DARN. Chris has done a fantastic job over many years but he does not currently have the time to take the Group forward but we thank him for all his hard work and luckily he is going to continue as a DARN member.

Sheila lives in Dorset near the Hampshire border and hence her interest in both Groups. She has previously surveyed for reptiles for the Cyril Diver Project and for ARC's New Forest Smooth Snake Project which has now morphed into the Snakes in the Heather Project. She has a GCN licence and a Rare Reptiles licence. This year she will be doing some work with Natterjack Toads at Hengistbury Head. She looks forward to meeting and working with land managers, volunteers, ecologists and other conservationists across Dorset.