The Group, formerly known as The Agile Frog Group, originally formed in 1993, it was then was renamed to Jersey Amphibian & Reptile Group, JARG, in 2007. The aims of JARG are to:

- Raise awareness of our 3 Amphibian Species and 4 Reptile Species.
- Collect and collate herpetofauna records, sharing these with www.recordpool.org.uk & www.jerseybiodiversitycentre.org.je
- Encourage the general public to report their herpetofauna sightings.
- Conserve the native amphibians and reptiles through study and direct action.
- Provide general advice on our amphibian and reptile species as well as their habitat management.

The Amphibian and Reptile Species found on Jersey are:

Amphibians

- The Jersey Toad aka Crapaud (Bufo spinosus)
- Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina)
- Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus)

Reptiles

- Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica)
- Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis)
- Green Lizard (Lacerta bilineata)
- Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

All 3 Amphibians and 4 Reptiles are protected under the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021.

Amphibians and reptiles suffer from a poor public image – feared by some people and simply misunderstood by many others. It is important to encourage public appreciation and awareness of amphibians and reptiles by providing the opportunity for people to become involved in wildlife recording and conservation.

Many people have never seen a lizard or a snake and would not know where to see one; yet with simple guidance, the experience could be brought to many people, whilst overcoming the negative perceptions that often hamper conservation efforts.

Amphibian factsheets

Agile_Frog.pdf

Crapaud.pdf

Palmate_Newt.pdf

Reptile factsheets

Grass_Snake_.pdf

Green_Lizard.pdf

Slow_Worm_.pdf

Wall_Lizard.pdf

What is Pondwatch JE?

Jersey has three native amphibian species, and a host of other wildlife for which ponds are a vital habitat.

Pondwatch JE was launched in 2018 with the aim of using citizen science to help gather sightings of Jersey’s pond life, so we can help assess their conservation status, distribution and habitat requirements. Pondwatch JE is the successor to both the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) which ran in Jersey from 2007 to 2018 and Toadwatch which ran from 2005 to 2018. During this time volunteers provided a great deal of information which has been used to inform the design of Pondwatch JE as well as influence efforts to protect the species.

Pondwatch JE was launched at the 2019 Wild about Jersey event, you can review the presentation here:

Pondwatch JE training presentation

How can you help?

There are opportunities for everyone to get involved, with 3 levels of surveys depending on your interest, available time and experience.

All surveys take place between January and May.

Check out the training presentations below for an overview of the scheme and to learn more about the pond life you may encounter.

Training: Introduction to Pondwatch JE

Training: Pond Life Identification

Training: Dragonflies

Training: Invasive Non Native Freshwater plants

Level 1 – spend 30 minutes looking for wildlife in ponds and send us your results. No experience or training is required.

2020 Training: Pondwatch JE level 1

Pondwatch JE level 1 handbook

Pondwatch JE level 1 survey form  

Level 2 – carry out 5 surveys, each taking 30 to 60 minutes. You will search for amphibians and other pondlife at a pond using three methods; visual searches, netting and night time torch surveys. You do not need experience but you will need to attend a training event.

Training: Pondwatch JE Level  2

Training: Pondwatch JE L2 - Recording your data

Pondwatch JE level 2 handbook

Pondwatch JE level 2 survey form

Grassland classifications guide is a summary of the key grassland habitats you may find in your survey area.

This guide is adapted from the UK Habitat Classification (UK Habitat Classification Working Group, 2018)

Level 3 – you will carry out multiple intensive surveys at known and suspected agile frog sites. You will also contribute to testing Jersey’s amphibians for diseases. This is for experienced surveyors only.

All Pondwatch JE surveys take place between January and May.

Water quality tests – you can help us assess the level of pollution in Jersey’s ponds using quick and simple test kits.

Pondwatch JE Water quality handbook

Pondwatch JE Water quality form

Even if you don't have the time to commit to one of these surveys, you can still join in by recording any sighting you have and submit these as a casual record.

Getting started

Before starting your survey you will need to complete a volunteer working agreement and have written consent from the landowner.

Volunteer Working Agreement 

Landowner Agreement.

Following the instructions in the appropriate level handbook, visit the site and modify the generic risk assessment as required for any risks associated with the site.

Generic Risk Assessment Template (ARG UK)

ID guides

A number of identification guides and information sources are available for you to download:

A guide to the identification of Jersey amphibians - Amphibians of Jersey ID guide

A guide to the identification of Dragonfly and Damselfly - Dragonfly and damselfly ID guide

A summary of invasive non-native plants and a free e-learning course are available via the links below.

Invasive Non-Native aquatic plant species ID guides

Invasive Non-Native Species free e-learning course

For help with habitat classifications the UK Habitat Classification guidance is available from the ecountability.co.uk website.

Additional resources

Pondwatch JE Introduction

Pondwatch JE training presentation

What is Reptilewatch JE?

Jersey has four native reptile species, some of which are rarely seen and are limited to certain habitats. Reptilewatch JE is a new project that aims to gather sightings of Jersey’s four native reptile species to help assess their conservation status, distribution and habitat requirements. Reptilewatch JE is the successor to the widespread reptile surveys undertaken as part of the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) which ran in Jersey from 2007 to 2018. During this time volunteers provided a great deal of information which has been used to inform the design of Reptilewatch JE as well as influence efforts to protect the species.

Reptilewatch JE was launched at the 2019 Wild about Jersey event, you can review the presentation here:Reptilewatch JE training presentation.

How can you help?

There are opportunities for everyone to get involved, with 3 levels of surveys depending on your interest, available time and experience.

 All surveys take place between March and October.

Check out the training presentation below for an overview of the scheme and to learn more about the reptiles and other wildlife you may encounter.

Reptilewatch Introduction and Identifying Jersey reptiles

1.Reptilewatch -ID other species.pdf

Level 1 – spend 30 minutes looking for reptiles and send us your results. No experience or training is required.

Reptilewatch JE Training: Level 1

Reptilewatch JE Level 1 survey form 

Reptilewatch JE Level 1 handbook

Level 2, option 1 – carry out 6 surveys, each taking 1 to 2 hours. You will search for reptiles along a survey route and check artificial refugia (sheets of roofing material) for reptiles and other species. You will need training at one of our training events but no previous experience is needed.

Reptilewatch JE Training: Level 2

Guide - Reptilewatch App

Reptilewatch JE Level 2 widespread reptiles handbook

Level 2, option 2 – carry out 6 surveys, each taking 30 minutes. You will search for wall lizards at known and suspected wall lizard sites. You will need training at one of our training events but no previous experience is needed.

 Reptilewatch JE Training: Level 2 Wall Lizard

Reptilewatch Level 2 wall lizard handbook

Reptilewatch Level 2 Wall Lizard survey form

Level 3 – you will carry out multiple intensive surveys at known and suspected grass snake sites. This is for experienced surveyors only.

Reptilewatch Level 3 handbook

All surveys take place between March and October.

If you currently do not have time to commit to carrying out these surveys please record any sighting you have and add a casual record. 

Getting started

Before starting your survey you will need to complete a volunteer working agreement and have written consent from the landowner.

Volunteer Working Agreement

Landowner Agreement.

Please complete and return the volunteer and landowner agreement forms to the Natural Environment Team before you get started.

The next step is to consider the risks associated with your survey and the surrounding area.

Please refer to the Generic risk assessment template and modify this as required.

How to survey

A reminder of the 2020 training presentation is provided here: 

For survey guidance, please refer to the relevant handbook for the level of survey you are undertaking.

Additional help on habitat assessment of grassland areas is available from the UK Habitat Classification website: ecountability.co.uk

Reptilewatch JE ID Guides

A series of ID guides are provided to help with identifying the reptiles and other species you might find on your surveys.

Reptiles of Jersey ID guide

Beetle ID guide

Cockroaches of Jersey ID guide

Small mammals of Jersey ID

For help with habitat classifications the UK Habitat Classification guidance is available from the ecountability.co.uk website.

Contact Kristina Le Feuvre