As many of the Slow-worms as is possible will have to be relocated from the site, in order to comply with ecological conditions of the planning permission.
How nice to see such care ! the full story can be read here: link.
Friday, 19 October 2007
Slow-worms derail stations
A new rail link being constructed in Wales may not open in time, as two of the sites upon which stations are to be built have been discovered to home Slow-worms, which are protected by law.
As many of the Slow-worms as is possible will have to be relocated from the site, in order to comply with ecological conditions of the planning permission.
How nice to see such care ! the full story can be read here: link.
As many of the Slow-worms as is possible will have to be relocated from the site, in order to comply with ecological conditions of the planning permission.
How nice to see such care ! the full story can be read here: link.
Monday, 15 October 2007
Common Toad found at more than 300ft underwater!
A common Toad has been found swimming at the astonishing depth of 324 ft (98 m) below the surface of Loch Ness.
The full BBC story can be read here: Link
The full BBC story can be read here: Link
Thursday, 23 August 2007
New Aesculapian Snake Colony !
On Friday 17th August, following a lead, SARG member Richard Bazely searched the canal banks by London Zoo in search of a rumored second UK colony of the harmless (but bitey!) Aesculapian snake.
There is a well known colony of these snakes around the Welsh Mountain Zoo at Colwyn, following the escape of a gravid female snake, over thirty years ago. Rumors of a second UK colony were fuelled by the recent reporting of a 'strange grass snake' found close by London Zoo.
We can now confirm that there is very probably a breeding colony of this pretty snake in the centre of London ! The picture below is of a sub-adult found at the site. This snake was only 2 feet long; adults can grow in excess of six feet, and are strongly arboreal in nature.
There is a well known colony of these snakes around the Welsh Mountain Zoo at Colwyn, following the escape of a gravid female snake, over thirty years ago. Rumors of a second UK colony were fuelled by the recent reporting of a 'strange grass snake' found close by London Zoo.
We can now confirm that there is very probably a breeding colony of this pretty snake in the centre of London ! The picture below is of a sub-adult found at the site. This snake was only 2 feet long; adults can grow in excess of six feet, and are strongly arboreal in nature.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Pond Success !
As part of our Species Recovery Plan, and in part mitigation, SARG created a new pond in Winter 2005/6 at East Surrey Hospital adjacent to an ancient Great Crested Newt (GCN) pond where a few of these rare animals were just about hanging on from year to year.
A couple of adult GCN and a few common newts were recorded in this newly created pond in late Spring 2006.
This week we have seen a large number of GCN eggs around most of the new pond perimeter! This bodes well for the future of this population.
Great Crested Newt egg, picture by Tanja Kessels.
A couple of adult GCN and a few common newts were recorded in this newly created pond in late Spring 2006.
This week we have seen a large number of GCN eggs around most of the new pond perimeter! This bodes well for the future of this population.
Great Crested Newt egg, picture by Tanja Kessels.
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Oi Ref...he bit me !
Faul; a word used as a charm against the bite of an adder:-Sume án word wið nædran bíte lǽraþ to cweðenne, ðæt is, Faul some teach us against bite of adder to speak one word, that is, Faul, L. M. 1, 45; Lchdm. ii. 114, 2.
AngloSaxon dictionary - Submitted by Julia
AngloSaxon dictionary - Submitted by Julia
Saturday, 12 May 2007
Dorset Trip
I've recently returned from a short break away in Dorset. Part of the goal for this trip was to see and photograph some of the introduced species of reptile that breed wild in this beautiful county.
The Island of Portland is famous for its lighthouse at Portland Bill. Less well known is that the island supports two colonies of the introduced Common wall lizard. The quarry at Cheyne Weare car poark located at the south east of the island is jam-packed full of the brown-backed form, and we were fortunate to witness territorial displays between males.
Moving further along the coast towards Bournemouth, we stopped off at Boscombe, near the Portman Ravine. This area also supports wall lizards (green-backed form), but also the largr Green lizard, the only UK site where this animal is known to breed in the wild.
Green lizards are much larger than our native common lizards as can be seen in the following comparison picture:
The Island of Portland is famous for its lighthouse at Portland Bill. Less well known is that the island supports two colonies of the introduced Common wall lizard. The quarry at Cheyne Weare car poark located at the south east of the island is jam-packed full of the brown-backed form, and we were fortunate to witness territorial displays between males.
Moving further along the coast towards Bournemouth, we stopped off at Boscombe, near the Portman Ravine. This area also supports wall lizards (green-backed form), but also the largr Green lizard, the only UK site where this animal is known to breed in the wild.
Green lizards are much larger than our native common lizards as can be seen in the following comparison picture:
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Biggest Cane Toad Yet ... !
Environmentalists dedicated to wiping out a toxic toad species that has killed countless Australian animals have captured a specimen the size of a small dog.
The volunteer-run organisation, Frogwatch, picked up the 15in-long cane toad during a raid on a pond outside the northern city of Darwin.
With a body the size of a football and weighing nearly 2lbs, the "monster toad'' is among the largest specimens ever captured in Australia, according to Frogwatch coordinator Graeme Sawyer.
"It's huge, to put it mildly,'' he said. "The biggest toads are usually females but this one was a rampant male... I would hate to meet his big sister.''
Cane toads were imported from South America during the 1930s in a failed attempt to control beetles on Australia's northern sugar cane plantations.
The poisonous toads have proved fatal to Australia's delicate ecosystems, killing millions of native animals from snakes to the small crocodiles that eat them.
As part of its so-called "Toad Buster'' project, Frogwatch conducts regular raids on local water holes, blinding the toads with bright lights then scooping them up by the dozen.
"We kill them with carbon dioxide gas, stockpile them in a big freezer and then put them through a liquid fertiliser process'' that renders the toads nontoxic, Sawyer said.
"It turns out to be sensational fertiliser.''The volunteer-run organisation, Frogwatch, picked up the 15in-long cane toad during a raid on a pond outside the northern city of Darwin.
With a body the size of a football and weighing nearly 2lbs, the "monster toad'' is among the largest specimens ever captured in Australia, according to Frogwatch coordinator Graeme Sawyer.
"It's huge, to put it mildly,'' he said. "The biggest toads are usually females but this one was a rampant male... I would hate to meet his big sister.''
Cane toads were imported from South America during the 1930s in a failed attempt to control beetles on Australia's northern sugar cane plantations.
The poisonous toads have proved fatal to Australia's delicate ecosystems, killing millions of native animals from snakes to the small crocodiles that eat them.
As part of its so-called "Toad Buster'' project, Frogwatch conducts regular raids on local water holes, blinding the toads with bright lights then scooping them up by the dozen.
"We kill them with carbon dioxide gas, stockpile them in a big freezer and then put them through a liquid fertiliser process'' that renders the toads nontoxic, Sawyer said.
"It turns out to be sensational fertiliser.''
The volunteer-run organisation, Frogwatch, picked up the 15in-long cane toad during a raid on a pond outside the northern city of Darwin.
With a body the size of a football and weighing nearly 2lbs, the "monster toad'' is among the largest specimens ever captured in Australia, according to Frogwatch coordinator Graeme Sawyer.
"It's huge, to put it mildly,'' he said. "The biggest toads are usually females but this one was a rampant male... I would hate to meet his big sister.''
Cane toads were imported from South America during the 1930s in a failed attempt to control beetles on Australia's northern sugar cane plantations.
The poisonous toads have proved fatal to Australia's delicate ecosystems, killing millions of native animals from snakes to the small crocodiles that eat them.
As part of its so-called "Toad Buster'' project, Frogwatch conducts regular raids on local water holes, blinding the toads with bright lights then scooping them up by the dozen.
"We kill them with carbon dioxide gas, stockpile them in a big freezer and then put them through a liquid fertiliser process'' that renders the toads nontoxic, Sawyer said.
"It turns out to be sensational fertiliser.''The volunteer-run organisation, Frogwatch, picked up the 15in-long cane toad during a raid on a pond outside the northern city of Darwin.
With a body the size of a football and weighing nearly 2lbs, the "monster toad'' is among the largest specimens ever captured in Australia, according to Frogwatch coordinator Graeme Sawyer.
"It's huge, to put it mildly,'' he said. "The biggest toads are usually females but this one was a rampant male... I would hate to meet his big sister.''
Cane toads were imported from South America during the 1930s in a failed attempt to control beetles on Australia's northern sugar cane plantations.
The poisonous toads have proved fatal to Australia's delicate ecosystems, killing millions of native animals from snakes to the small crocodiles that eat them.
As part of its so-called "Toad Buster'' project, Frogwatch conducts regular raids on local water holes, blinding the toads with bright lights then scooping them up by the dozen.
"We kill them with carbon dioxide gas, stockpile them in a big freezer and then put them through a liquid fertiliser process'' that renders the toads nontoxic, Sawyer said.
"It turns out to be sensational fertiliser.''
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Amphibian Training Available - THIS SATURDAY !
Hants-Surrey Border amphibian training day
for participants in NARRS: The National Amphibian Survey
A one-day training event for volunteers signed up to take part in the above amphibian survey for the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS). Training in amphibian identification, habitat assessment, survey methods, survey protocols, recording, health & safety, licensing, and landowner permissions. Bring stout footwear, wellies and waterproofs.
Saturday 24 March 2007, 14.30-20.00
Bentley village, just off the A31 between Alton and Farnham
Meet at the Memorial Hall at the crossroads (SU 783 439),
the hall is on the NW corner
Contact (GCN expert!) Ros Hughes (RAPHughes@aol.com) to book a place. Make sure you are also registered to take part in NARRS (sign up at www.narrs.org.uk).
PROGRAMME
1430-1445 Arrive (tea/coffee)
1445-1645 Amphibian classroom session
1645-1700 Break (bring own snack)
1700-1800 Amphibian field session
1800-1900 Break (pub, Indian cuisine/meal)
1900-2000 Amphibian torchlight field session
for participants in NARRS: The National Amphibian Survey
A one-day training event for volunteers signed up to take part in the above amphibian survey for the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS). Training in amphibian identification, habitat assessment, survey methods, survey protocols, recording, health & safety, licensing, and landowner permissions. Bring stout footwear, wellies and waterproofs.
Saturday 24 March 2007, 14.30-20.00
Bentley village, just off the A31 between Alton and Farnham
Meet at the Memorial Hall at the crossroads (SU 783 439),
the hall is on the NW corner
Contact (GCN expert!) Ros Hughes (RAPHughes@aol.com) to book a place. Make sure you are also registered to take part in NARRS (sign up at www.narrs.org.uk).
PROGRAMME
1430-1445 Arrive (tea/coffee)
1445-1645 Amphibian classroom session
1645-1700 Break (bring own snack)
1700-1800 Amphibian field session
1800-1900 Break (pub, Indian cuisine/meal)
1900-2000 Amphibian torchlight field session
Sunday, 18 March 2007
Toads & Grassies
1st of season!
SARG member Simon Elson reported sighting of grass snake in tussucky grass adjacent to Spynes Mere nature reserve on 15th March.
Simon also wardens the Bletchingley Road toad crossing where toads have been intermittantly migrating towards Spynes Mere since February 22nd! Last year [2006] over 1600 toads were rescued and so far this year 919 toads have been helped. Over 20 volunteers have participated during this prolonged period.
Toad migrations appear to be very variable and intermittant across the County this year. Let us have your update!
That's at least one sighting of all reptile species native to Surrey this year already. Overall slightly earlier than last year. Its certainly worth a wander around your local piece of countryside !
SARG member Simon Elson reported sighting of grass snake in tussucky grass adjacent to Spynes Mere nature reserve on 15th March.
Simon also wardens the Bletchingley Road toad crossing where toads have been intermittantly migrating towards Spynes Mere since February 22nd! Last year [2006] over 1600 toads were rescued and so far this year 919 toads have been helped. Over 20 volunteers have participated during this prolonged period.
Toad migrations appear to be very variable and intermittant across the County this year. Let us have your update!
That's at least one sighting of all reptile species native to Surrey this year already. Overall slightly earlier than last year. Its certainly worth a wander around your local piece of countryside !
Saturday, 17 March 2007
2007 Smooth snakes
The Smooth snakes have now emerged from hibernation. Surrey is fortunate to be one of only three counties with native populations of this beautiful snake.
Slow-worms were also out this week, just leaving Grass snakes to emerge for the 'full set'.
Some pictures below, taken today, of an adult male Surrey Smooth snake. (Like Adders, the males emerge from hibernation before the reproductive females).
Slow-worms were also out this week, just leaving Grass snakes to emerge for the 'full set'.
Some pictures below, taken today, of an adult male Surrey Smooth snake. (Like Adders, the males emerge from hibernation before the reproductive females).
Friday, 16 March 2007
Pond Works
Ralph and Julia Wycherley joined a group at Hevers pond, Bletchingley last Saturday 10th March. The aim was to tidy the pond surrounds from the general dumping that had accumulated. We did not disturb the pond itself as we counted over 100 toads frantic in breeding activities - plus around 30 frogs and 14 clumps of spawn.
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Saturday, 3 March 2007
Sand Lizards and Adders
The reptile season has well and truely started, with both Adders and Sand lizards out today, at Crooksbury Common in Surrey.
Two Adders were out today, lying up by their hibernaculum:
Even better that early emergent Adders, was the chance sighting of my first Sand lizard of the season: This individual lizard was also the first sand lizard seen last year on 19th March 2006, so he's 2.5 weeks early this year !
Just Grass & Smooth snakes and Slow worms need to emerge, before we have the full set !
Two Adders were out today, lying up by their hibernaculum:
Even better that early emergent Adders, was the chance sighting of my first Sand lizard of the season: This individual lizard was also the first sand lizard seen last year on 19th March 2006, so he's 2.5 weeks early this year !
Just Grass & Smooth snakes and Slow worms need to emerge, before we have the full set !
Friday, 2 March 2007
Reptiles are beginning to emerge
The beginning of March heralded my first reptile sightings of the year on the Surrey/Hants border today. Both animals were adult male common lizards, and both were fairly lethargic, easily caught and a 'bag of bones'. If this sunshine lasts a few more days they'll be fattening up and hopefully other reptiles will also emerge.
Monday, 26 February 2007
Article in the 'Farnham Diary' local paper
In Today's issue of the Farnham Diary, there is a short piece outlining the potted history of the Farnham Castle colony of Wall lizards.
The aim of the article is to contact local people who have first hand experience of seeing the colony, and determining its exact location (to the nearest wall). Hopefully we will either determine that the colony still exists, or we will be able to put an approximate date to its decline.
Click on the image below to read the article.
The aim of the article is to contact local people who have first hand experience of seeing the colony, and determining its exact location (to the nearest wall). Hopefully we will either determine that the colony still exists, or we will be able to put an approximate date to its decline.
Click on the image below to read the article.
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
GCN
Great Crested Newts were observed egg-laying in my garden pond on 21 2 07. Evening temperatures 11C
Toad migration 2007
Toad migration. Toads have moved after dusk at Speynes Mere , Bletchingley Road for the last 2 nights. Some helped across but sadly also a number of squashes. Last year over 1600 toads were helped at this site.
Toad
The first Toad of the season to be found in my garden emerged today! (Farnham, Surrey), he was sat under his usual refugia after a winter's hibernation. I'd have thought he'd be heading off to a pond by now ! - Steve
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