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

Making the Natter Matter March 2019

Posted on Monday 18th March, 2019

Latest newsletter has been emailed to subscribed HIWARG members.
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Wetter weather brings more toads to the roads.

Posted on Thursday 28th February, 2019

Toad patrols are currently in full swing. The recent warm weather has woken the herps earlier than usual and the wet weather has many of them heading towards their breeding ponds, putting toads & newts in harms way as they try to cross busy roads during peak traffic periods.
There are many toad patrols looking for additional volunteers.
Currently we have people active in the New Forest, Eastleigh & Basingstoke areas.

Please see our Facebook group for more details.

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Getting the media onboard

Posted on Thursday 28th February, 2019

Today's blog by Mark Avery (RSPB’s Conservation Director -Ret)

Posted on Tuesday 26th February, 2019

Paul Sterry discusses the challenges related to the Cufaude Lane Toad Crossing at which some of us have been assisting.
HIWARG is trying to support the efforts at this crossing so if anyone is available, please reach out.

Some evenings are obviously busier than others, but every person that helps at a toad crossing, raises awareness about toad crossings or otherwise aids towards the improvement of infrastructure to assist the toads to cross is playing a significant part so please spread the word and share the attached blog.

Read blog here

Pop over to our Facebook group for photo's & video from HWM 2019

Posted on Tuesday 12th February, 2019

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Events

Show Past Events

Toad tunnels and fencing clean up work party'

Sun 24th March, 2019

Sunday 24 March 10am to 1pm.
We need around 6 volunteers to help remove leaf litter and built up silt from a section of toad tunnels and fencing near Sherfield on Lodden.
This is a HIWARG members event and further details will be visible in the Members Portal calendar.
Membership & Volunteer Workers Agreement completion is a requisite.

HIWARG members event - reptile survey training

Sat 20th April, 2019 - Sun 21st April, 2019

See members portal calendar for details. Weather dependent.

Vanishing Viper Conference 2019

Sat 8th June, 2019 - Sun 9th June, 2019

Event link & details: https://www.arguk.org/get-involved/events/20-vanishing-viper-2019

INTERNATIONAL EVENT : Venomous snakes as flagship species

Thu 10th October, 2019 - Sat 12th October, 2019

- Could snakes be ambassadors for conservation like panda’s?

- How could you help support their conservation efforts?
- What progress is being made?
- How can we resolve the human- snake conflict?

These and many more topics will be discussed at the next big herp symposium hosted by Edupet and the Herpetofauna foundation. This symposium will be a must for all that enjoy nature and wildlife. We look forward to welcoming you at the Symposium “Venomous snakes as flagship species”

Website : http://herpsymposia.com/

Location:
Burger's Zoo
Antoon van Hooffplein 1,
6816 SH Arnhem,
Netherlands

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

Dogs & Adders - downloadable advice sheet.

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