Hampshire And Isle of Wight Amphibian and Reptile Group (HIWARG)

About us

About Us

Hampshire is fortunate that the county covers a huge geographic area and a very diverse breadth of habitat including: the Isle of Wight, the New Forest National Park, the South Downs National Park, as well as many other unspoiled areas, including Woolmer Forest.
It is therefore unsurprising that we are host to 12 out of the 13 native amphibians and reptiles in UK, including rarities such as the Natterjack Toad, Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake, and wherever you live in the county there will be opportunities to survey and monitor an assemblage of amphibian and reptile species.

HIWARG is an newly affiliated independent ARG-UK group. The group focus is conservation of native UK species essentially around habitat management, surveying, public engagement, volunteer training & doing as much as possible to understand & protect the native species in the county.
All members are volunteers with a common interest.

If you have some spare time and would like to be involved with HIWARG, maybe you have taken a photo of a reptile or amphibian and would like it identified or maybe you have some other query, then please do get in contact info@hiwarg.org.uk

CONSERVATION THROUGH EMPATHY BY ENGAGEMENT

News

First Hampshire spawn of 2019 found

Posted on Friday 18th January, 2019

First frog spawn of 2019 found in the New Forest 17 Jan 2019 at exactly the same spot as the first spawn of 2018 (one day later this year).
Find & photo by Paul Edgar.
1t2b1

Please be sure to log any spawn sightings. Every record matters.

New Forest habitat management event - 15 Jan

Posted on Tuesday 15th January, 2019

Photo's from the day uploaded onto our Facebook group.

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Toad Patrol assistance required. New Forest area.

Posted on Sunday 13th January, 2019

Please see "Gorley Rd Toad patrol" under events.

Volunteer activities preparation -

Posted on Wednesday 9th January, 2019

We have a number of volunteer activities due to start in the coming month and I'll be providing details soon on the Facebook Group, but we have noticed that many members have not yet completed their online Volunteer Agreement, nor set up their volunteer preferences.
Without this we don't know who to alert to the various oportunities.
If you are a subscribed member, please be sure to log into the Member Portal & complete your Volunteer Preferences & your Volunteer Agreement by clicking on the "My HIWARG Account" icon.
This is also important to ensure you are covered under the ARG-UK umbrella when taking part in HIWARG activities.

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Two day heathland management event added to calendar.

Posted on Friday 21st December, 2018

Join the ARC team & help clear the disused Burley railway embankment for the benefit of our local animals.

Events

Show Past Events

GORLEY RD TOAD PATROL: RINGWOOD, NEW FOREST ACTIVITY.

Sun 20th January, 2019 - Thu 28th February, 2019

IF ABLE TO HELP, PLEASE CONTACT ME & I WILL FORWARD TERESA'S DETAILS.
She rescued 1254 toads last year which is really good with so few volunteers! She really would appreciate some support and extra volunteers.
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"Re the toads crossing!
They will start to cross anytime now if the temperature reaches 6 degrees upwards and wind chill the same.
We only do it when the temperature is 6 degrees upwards, we start at dusk, that’s when the toads start to cross, we do it in a car with a driver and a helper as the road is a mile long plus the toads are more visible in head lights.
We all wear fluorescent jackets and a sign in the back saying “toad patrol”.
We do it every night if the temperatures are right.
Most patrollers sign up for one night a week but only go if it’s 6 degrees upwards. I hope this information is useful!
Also all our patrollers are aware that the toads play a very important part of the Eco System!
Thank you very very much for your help in finding volunteers. Kind regards Teresa "

Members event: Spawn count survey

Sat 2nd February, 2019

Details will be posted on the members calendar. Will confirm whether Sat or Sun.

Herp Workers Meeting 2019

Sat 9th February, 2019 - Sun 10th February, 2019

Event link & details: https://www.arc-trust.org/Event/hwm2019

Members event: Spawn count survey

Sat 16th February, 2019

Details will be posted on the members calendar. Will confirm whether Sat or Sun.

Members event: Spawn count survey

Sat 23rd February, 2019

Details will be posted on the members calendar. Will confirm whether Sat or Sun.

Members event: Spawn count survey

Sat 2nd March, 2019

Details will be posted on the members calendar. Will confirm whether Sat or Sun.

Members event: Emergence survey

Sat 9th March, 2019

Details will be posted on the members calendar. Will confirm whether Sat or Sun weather dependent.

Members event: Emergence survey

Sun 17th March, 2019

Details will be posted on the members calendar. Will confirm whether Sat or Sun weather dependent.

Members event: Emergence survey

Sat 23rd March, 2019

Details will be posted on the members calendar. Will confirm whether Sat or Sun weather dependent.

Members event: Emergence survey

Sun 7th April, 2019

Details will be posted on the members calendar. Will confirm whether Sat or Sun weather dependent.

Record a sighting

Join up or Log In

Members sign in here

OR

Click on the logo below to go to the Paypal subscription page

Membership costs just £6.00 per year as a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
Your membership will help HIWARG to protect the amphibians & reptile of Hampshire.
Be aware of and take part in conservation opportunities across the county.

Social media & Links

Herp Identification - downloadable colour charts

Amphibian Identification - downloadable colour cards

Newt Eggs & Larvae - downloadable colour cards

Reptile Identification - downloadable colour cards

Improving Herp habitat

Creating Garden Ponds - downloadable booklet

Herp diseases - recognise & report

Snake Fungal Disease

Toad fly (Lucilia bufonivora)

Amphibian Chytridiomycosis

Ranavirus Disease

Reptile Slough Genebank - collection & submission of found sloughs

Other

Useful glossary of terms often used within the herpetological field. (Credit due - unknown)

Kids stuff - Educational items for the young ones

Pond pack Animal fact sheets Animal colouring sheets