SARG NEWS - 20 March 2010

SARG NEWS - 20 March 2010

Dear SARG member,

Your local toads, frogs and newts need your help!

Can you spare some time to help toads, frogs and newts cross roads to get to their breeding ponds this spring?

Every Spring, thousands of toads are accidentally killed as they undertake their night-time crossing of the roads across the United Kingdom. Toad crossing activity has started over the last 2 days, and is likely to continue until the end of March.

We need volunteers who can help out at toad crossings, transporting the animals across the road, saving them from being run over by traffic. Even if you can manage just a night or two, this would help the animals.

Recording the number of toads seen is a critical activity as this provides the evidence needed to determine population changes.

A full list of registered Toad Crossings, and what is involved can be found on the SARG website: www.surrey-arg.org.uk ('The Animals' menu,'Toad Crossings' icon).

If you can help and would like to know your nearest toad crossing then please contact myself, Danial Winchester on Home: 01252 794441 , Mobile: 07790 526991 or Email: danial@surrey-arg.org.uk

Many thanks

Danial

SARG NEWS - 03 March 2010

SARG NEWS - 03 March 2010

Toad Crossings

Every spring, thousands of toads migrate from hibernation sites to breeding ponds across Surrey. In many areas this journey, sometimes over a kilometre, will involve crossing roads. SARG coordinates the 34 approved toad crossing sites in Surrey, helping to get these charismatic amphibians across our roads and safely into their ponds. This year, we expect the main migration to happen in the middle of March. If you would like to know more about Toad crossings, and how you could help, please take a look at our Toads on Roads webpage.

http://www.surrey-arg.org.uk/SARG/02000-Activities/ToadCrossings/SARG2toadCrossings.shtml

NARRS Training

Each year, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (formerly the Herpetological Conservation Trust HCT and Froglife) organise the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS). This scheme relies upon members of the public to survey a 1km grid square close to their home. SARG trains these volunteers to find and record the animals. If you would like to become involved, please visit the NARRS website.

http://www.narrs.org.uk/

Adder Emergence

As the first spring-like days are upon us, now is the time for adders to emerge from hibernation (The first Surrey adder was reported on Tuesday 2nd March). The snakes won't travel far from their winter hibernation sites just yet, and it is possible to see several males basking together. If you see a group of adders in March, please let us know, as this is very likely to be an important hibernation site. We need to protect these sites from development, as adder hibernacula are vital for the species' survival, and can be used by many generations of the animals. Please let our reptiles officer know of any sightings:

Reptiles@surrey-arg.org.uk