Hertfordshire Amphibian and Reptile Group (HertsARG)

About us

About Us

Hertfordshire Amphibian and Reptile Group (HertsARG) was established in 2011 to promote, conserve and study Hertfordshire's native populations of reptiles and amphibians. Since then we have gone from strength to strength and warmly welcome new members whatever their level of knowledge or experience. We have Whatsapp and Facebook groups. The group contains several licensed great crested newt workers and we are happy to take questions and queries from the public on these and other species.

The following species are found in Hertfordshire;

Smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris)

Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus)

Palmate newts (Lissotriton helvetica)

Common frogs (Rana temporaria)

Common toads (Bufo bufo)

Midwife toads (Alytes obstetricans) *Non-native and generally restricted to St Albans area*

Common/viviparous lizards (Zootoca vivpara)

Wall lizards (Podarcis muralis)

Slow worms (Anguis fragilis)

Grass snake (Natrix helvetica)

There are no reliable records of adders (Viper berus) in Hertfordshire. Despite extensive searching across the county, we have not found any. They are therefore regarded as extinct here, pending proof of any animals being provided. Any suspected bites or injuries should be taken to hospital or veterinary surgery.

Over the coming months we hope there will be news of a number of interesting and valuable conservation and research projects. Should you wish to become involved, or simply to be kept updated of progress, please email your contact details to davewillisbhs@yahoo.co.uk.

If you have any questions or ideas for future work, or know of a site you think may be of interest, let us know!

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU:

KNOW OF ANY RELEASED REPTILES OR AMPHIBIANS.
ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP YOUR REPTILES OR AMPHIBIANS
HAVE SPOTTED A STRANGE SNAKE OR OTHER REPTILE.

David Willis - Founder
Hatfield
Herts

(Please email for details, upcoming projects and any unwanted animals)

davewillisbhs@yahoo.co.uk

Telephone: 07581121270

Mammal Amphibian and Reptile Atlas (MARA) and Herp record queries;

Dr Chantal Helm or Mr Ian Flack
University of Hertfordshire

chantalvhelm@gmail.com

ianflack1@gmail.com

News

Next meeting 22 Nov 2013

Posted on Tuesday 5th November, 2013

Our next meeting will not be on Fri 8 Nov but a talk has been arranged for Fri 22 Nov so we will meet then.

April 2013

Posted on Thursday 11th April, 2013

Well, Spring is here and it is time to get out and surveying now that the weather has eventually improved! Toad patrols, Great Crested Newt surveys and reptile afternoons are all planned, so come along and help.

February

Posted on Sunday 10th February, 2013

Survey season is upon us, so (perhaps when the weather sorts itself out) we need to get out there and get some records in and projects planned. If you would like to get involved, please email me.

February meeting

Posted on Tuesday 5th February, 2013

Meeting

Reminder that the monthly HertsARG meeting is taking place this Friday (8^th February at 7:30pm) at St Albans Sub Aqua Club, Cotton Mill Lane, St Albans. (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41867550,d.d2k&biw=1366&bih=587&wrapid=tlif136001718506510&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=St+Albans+Sub+Aqua+Club&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=St+Albans+Sub+Aqua+Club&hnear=St+Albans+Sub+Aqua+Club&cid=0,0,8029491325922838352&sa=X&ei=VjcQUcz_Baen0AXY2oDACg&ved=0CIEBEPwSMAA)

Lots to talk about this month, as this will be the start of the season. If anyone fancies coming out for an evening’s newt watching/counting in the Hatfield area this weekend, let us know! Unfortunately, it is uncertain as to whether Gail Austin-Price from KRAG can join us. However, Jonathan Cranfield from EssexARG might step into her spot.

Toadsize

See the attached flyer. Over the coming season we are going to get very involved with this, and over the next few weeks, we shall be visiting known toad sites. Please can we have names and contact details for patrols/groups.

http://www.arguk.org/

Newt and Comon Lizard sites

There are a few sites needed for populations of Newts. We will discuss in more detail, but one is a garden rescue, the other a potential new Great Crested Newt Site, specially created. Additionally, it looks as though we will be montioring a translocated population of Common Lizards in the region.

Record Pool

The ARG UK “Record Pool” has been created in order to create a nationwide distribution map. Check out the website: http://recordpool.org.uk/

Publicity

Thanks are due to Scott Townend who produced the new logo, which will be unveiled at the meeting. It is great, and should shortly be adorning the website and clothing available to buy online. Should anyone else have any ideas as to how we can raise the profile of the group, please share!

First meeting of 2013

Posted on Thursday 10th January, 2013

2013 looks set to be a busy year for HertsARG - appropriately enough for the Year of the Snake! Tomorrow we will be getting together for the first of our meetings. PLease join us if you can. If not, then get in touch and come along to the next one or join us on one of of field excursions.