April 2020 - Sussex Amphibian & Reptile Group
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
1
April 2020
Hi all, we hope you are all saying safe and well in these
strange times. Social distancing and isolation can be very
hard, but getting out in nature (safely) can be a fantastic
way to lift the spirits. Whilst we cannot run any SxARG
events for the time being. We are still very keen to hear
all your herpertological news. Please continue to share
on our social media.
We hope you enjoy looking back at the last year of SxARG
activity. It certainly inspires us to think about a time
when we can all be out again looking for and after our
fantastic Sussex reptiles and amphibians.
All the best,
The SxARG Committee
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020
2
Latest news...
2019: a summary of the year’s activities
Paul Stevens, Ryan Greaves and Chris Drewery, compiled By Georgina Judd
This article is the the Reserves Manager for Kingley Vale national
review of the year nature reserve (NNR), asking if we would help set up
taken from “Adastra”, a reptile monitoring scheme at the site. Kingley Vale
the annual review of is owned and managed by Natural England and Steve
biological recording in had seen a couple of Adders Vipera berus that he was
Sussex published by keen to know more about.
the Sussex Biodiversity In early February, Paul set out a transect of
Record Centre. The twenty stainless steel tins (refugia) in suitable
publication and locations across the site, to find out more about the
previous year’s abundance and habits of the herps here. The tins
editions can be read were left to settle for a few weeks and at the end of
on the SxBRC’s March, Paul ran a training session for two Natural
website. England staff and six volunteers to show them how
to carry out the monthly monitoring. Five Adders,
a Slow-worm Anguis fragilis and several Common
Lizards Zootoca vivipara were found under the
2019 has been another busy year for the Sussex tins, just during the training session! After regular
Amphibian and Reptile Group (SxARG). In monitoring, Steve has recorded Adders into double
particular, our stalwart surveyors Paul Stevens, Ryan figures, found more Slow-worm and Common
Greaves and Chris Drewery have spent many hours Lizard, and as a result can better manage the reserve
in the field, and CiCi Blumstein has been working for reptiles.
hard promoting herp conservation on social media Paul was back at Kingley Vale in May to show
and at events. Here we summarise our annual several volunteers how to survey for amphibians
activities and end with an urgent request for pro- at two ponds on the site. No Great Crested Newts
(GCN) Triturus cristatus
were recorded; but breeding
Smooth Lissotriton vulgaris
and Palmate Newts L.
helveticus were both found, as
well as Common Frog Rana
temporaria and Common Toad
Bufo bufo.
At the end of April,
Paul looked to carry out
the annual GCN survey at
Chanctonbury Ring dew pond,
but unfortunately the pond
had no water in it. This is the
Pond at Chanctonbury Ring dried by end of April 2019
second year this Site of Special
Photo: Paul Stevens Scientific Interest (SSSI) pond
has been dry, and so no GCN
breeding has taken place.
active volunteers; do come and join us. However, the pond is currently (January 2020) very
Paul Stevens has once again been extremely full, so fingers crossed it retains water this year, and
productive in the west of the county this season. In recruitment to this isolated population is resumed.
late 2018, SxARG were approached by Steve Walker, We are also hopeful that a second dew pond will be
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020
3
Juvenile Adder seen at Kingley Vale NNR during training Female Smooth Snake basking: note the blue eye,
session for Natural England staff and volunteers a pre-slough sign
Photo: Paul Stevens Photo: Paul Stevens
created under a new countryside stewardship scheme about herp conservation and management.
here. Monthly surveys have also continued into their
Indefatigable Paul was out again in mid-August second year at Sussex Wildlife Trust HQ, Woods
and early September, surveying for Smooth Snakes Mill. Grass Snake and Slow-worm numbers have
Coronella austriaca at Heyshott and Ambersham continued to be favourable, with more Common
Common SSSIs. Five pregnant females were found Lizards recorded this year than last. On 23 June,
under one tin during the mid-August survey and two Ryan led a SxARG guided walk on the reserve
baby snakes (neonates) were found with their mum, and the lucky participants were treated to a huge
under the same refugium in September. So, ten lucky emergence of toadlets from the lake! Ryan also led a
SxARG members at the 5th annual Smooth Snake guided walk in mid-May, to survey for reptiles at the
Safari got to see very tiny snakes that had only been Knepp Castle estate.
born a few hours before. New transects were also set up in Tilgate Park
During the mid-August Smooth Snake survey, and St Leonards Forest by the Gatwick Greenspace
two further pregnant females were found basking Partnership (GGP) with support from SxARG. The
amongst the heather. Smooth Snakes are usually shy transects are being regularly checked by volunteers
and reclusive and seeing them in the open isn’t very and so far Adder, Grass Snake and Common Lizard
common. These snakes were both about to slough have all been recorded at both sites. The survey
(shed their skin) and the weather was warm and results are informing ongoing management and
overcast; great conditions for spotting reptiles. This particularly highlighting the importance of the small
fabulous find gives me the opportunity to reiterate pockets of remnant heathland in these areas. Tilgate
how weather dependent successful reptile surveys Park is right on the edge of Crawley and is well used
are. Choosing a warm, overcast day – preferably by local residents. The GGP have been using the
after rain – can make all the difference. Paul felt very refugia in their community events on site to raise
privileged to see these two beautiful snakes in their awareness of common reptiles and their conservation
natural habitat. needs.
Ryan Greaves has also had a very busy season. This article gives us a chance to celebrate the
He set up a new reptile survey at the Waterhall success of another local group. In 2017, Chris
Conservation Area on the northern edge of Brighton. Drewery from SxARG helped the Seaford Natural
Adder, Common Lizard, Slow-worm, Common Toad History Group set up a reptile survey at the Seaford
and Grass Snake Natrix helvetica have all now been Head Nature Reserve. This site is well-known for
recorded here and this survey is proving a useful Adders, and the Seaford Natural History Group,
opportunity to talk to local walkers and landowners including an amazing amount of effort by Janet
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020
4
Howell, are now into their 3rd year of surveying and hard administering the group, staying abreast of
recording here. Surveys have been undertaken in developments, particularly regarding district level
slightly different areas of the reserve each year. In licensing for Great Crested Newts and liaising with
2017, refugia were placed in the areas of scrub to the the ARC Trust on their ‘Snakes in the Heather’
east of the reserve, and these were moved into the project.
scrub areas to the west in 2018. This year, surveys Our final outing of the year was in September,
have taken place in the more open chalk grassland we visited the Butterfly Conservation reserve at
areas at the far eastern side of the reserve. Over the Rowland Wood to check the refugia set up there
three survey seasons, Adders have been the most two years ago. We recorded two adult Adders, an
frequently recorded reptile; with males, females and adult Slow-worm and we were treated to six adult
juveniles all being recorded and two hibernacula Common Lizard and seven juveniles. Proceedings
locations confirmed. Low numbers of Common were concluded with lunch at the Green Man in
Lizard, Slow-worm and Grass Snake have also been Ringmer for the SxARG AGM.
recorded. The Adders are found both in the scrub Finally, we have an urgent call for volunteers.
and more open habitats and surprisingly, they don’t After seven years in post, both our chairman Peter
seem to mind the regular footfall of dog-walkers and King, and treasurer Jess Price, are stepping down
other site visitors. in September. They will be sadly missed. Also, at
We have no new toad patrols to report this the time of writing, a significant number of our
year, but we would like to thank both Uckfield and currently active SxARG members may not be able
Barcombe toad patrols for their continued effort commit as much time to the group this year. Since
to protect toads crossing roads, to and from their 2013, the current committee has put in an enormous
breeding ponds. amount of effort to promote reptile and amphibian
CiCi Blumstein has continued to maintain conservation in Sussex. We organised the highly
SxARG social media presence this year. Without her successful UK-Amphibian and Reptile Group - South
sustained effort, SxARG would not inform so many East regional meeting in 2013, have set up surveys
of herp conservation in Sussex and beyond in such and have organised monthly guided walks during
an entertaining and colourful manner (find us on the active season. If you are interested in reptiles
twitter and facebook @SussexARG). She led a guided and amphibians and would like to help with surveys,
walk at the Railway Land Wildlife Trust festival this walks or the general running of the group, now really
year and as I write she is in New Zealand attending is the time to be brave, pop you head out from under
the 9th World Congress of Herpetology. She may that refuge and get in touch. We can be reached on
also be at the Annual Herp. Workers meeting in social media or via our website (www.sussexarg.org.
Southport, while we are all at Adastra. uk). Thank you.
The SxARG committee continues to work
Left: Mating Slow-worms found under a tin on the Knepp Estate Centre: Female Adder basking at
Waterhall and (right) a large Grass Snake at Waterhall, a new species for this site
Photos: Ryan Greaves
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020
5
Creating Grass Snake egg-laying piles
Ryan Greaves and Tom Simpson
Reptile, Amphibian & Fish Conservation
Netherlands and ARG UK recently collaborated
to produce a leaflet on “how to create grass
snake egg laying heaps”. This is based on a Dutch
conservation programme specifically aiming to
improve habitat management for Grass Snakes, to
enhance their breeding success and thereby increase
the sustainability of populations. These egg-laying
heaps, have proven to be a simple, yet effective
way of boosting juvenile recruitment. The key to
their success is the composition and structure of
the egg-laying heap, such that it maintains an even
temperature, perfect for incubating grass snake eggs,
but is not too compact, so that the animals can move
around within it.
year youngsters, but I was never sure if the compost
heap was actually built correctly for them. So last
autumn I went about making a small version of one
of these egg laying heaps, hoping they will use it this
spring. Ideally it would be built in spring with fresh
materials, and rebuilt each year. Its creation strangely
reminded me of making a lasagne, with layers of
fresh horse manure, fresh vegetation, and sticks/logs
being laid one at a time. Female grass snakes become
habituated to using a successful heap for many years,
so hopefully this will be the case here.
Nature reserve
Tom Simpson
Over at Gatwick Airport’s conservation areas,
Garden grass snakes are a target species on the biodiversity
Ryan Greaves action plan. There is a well recorded population,
interestingly with a high percentage of melanistic
When I moved home from urban Brighton to a individuals. Heavy clay soils mean wet grasslands
more rural setting, in 2015, my first priority in and woodland glades with plenty of ephemeral
garden habitat creation was to put in a compost ponds and scraps, ideal habitat for amphibians and
heap in a nice sunny sport of the garden, with a good hunting ground for a hungry grass snake. In
couple of metal refugia nearby. I was hoping the my role with the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership
local snake, and slow worm, population would I manage many of these area with volunteers,
make use of it for basking and breeding. In the last removing scrub and saplings in the winter and
five years I’ve regularly seen grass snakes under a rotational cut with scythes in the summer to
the refugia, including a mating pair and some first maintain a diverse sward. All of the cut grass is piled
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020
6
and retained as incubation sites for grass snakes. Because we had willing volunteers, large amounts of
We are always looking for ways to improve our cut grass from the meadow management and woody
management, so when SxARG shared the leaflet it material from our coppicing regime, we were able to
seemed a good opportunity to try something new. build a very large egg laying heap in a sunny spot. To
With the help of volunteers from UKPowerNetworks top it all off, this winter we have restored an existing
we built the heaps, as per the easy to follow farm pond nearby so it will be great to see what
instructions, in an old arable field where previously starts using these two amphibian and reptile friendly
grass snake sightings have been relatively low. habitat features over the next few years.
Creating a garden pond, confessions of an ecologist
George Judd
I have been avoiding telling this story, as I just think to doing anything about it.
that it highlights my incompetence. However, I have We are lucky to have resident Great Crested
decided to spill the beans just in case it inspires Newts, so I wanted to make sure I made a lovely new
someone to build a pond. pond for them. So, one sunny February day, I started
I have always known a pond would be a welcome digging our pure clay garden. You probably already
addition to our garden. We have a pond nearby, and know this, but clay is VERY hard to dig…it took a
ever since we moved in we’ve found lots of pondy while.
wildlife; frogs, toads and Great Crested Newts, In my earnest attempt to create a fabulous
dragonflies, damselflies and once an airborne Great wildlife pond, I dug shallow margins, stepped the
Diving Beetle that knocked itself out in our porch sides, and in-line with lots of the national guidance
(it did take off again). I am an ecologist and nature- on GCN pond creation, I decided that the bit in the
lover and so a pond was a garden must have. But middle should be one metre deep. It wasn’t until I’d
(confession number 1), it wasn’t until six years after finished digging it, that I realised how steep the sides
we moved in (yes, six years) that I finally got around were and eyed them up with suspicion. However, I
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020
7
carried on regardless, and it wasn’t until I lined the
Dig to one metre
pond with old carpet, bought and fitted the butyl
liner and half-filled the pond with rainwater from
the water-butt (transported in plastic flexi-tubs in
a rickety wheel barrow, quite a long way down the
garden!) that I decided I really wasn’t happy and I
went back to the literature for another look.
It was then that I read the (old) Freshwater
Habitats Trust guidance, and I realised that the
pond didn’t really need to be that deep at all and
that I would probably see more if it was shallower
(confession number 2 – should have read this in the
first place)!!
So…I washed out both my blue and black
wheelie bins, wheeled them down the garden and
filled them…and most of the other large vessels I
possessed…with the precious rainwater. I took out
the liner. I took out the carpet. I then filled that hard-
won, one metre hole in, until it was 30cm deep! (yes,
Lined with old carpet
I filled in two-thirds of it – all that digging!). I then,
re-cut the carpet, refitted the liner and re-filled the
pond with the rainwater.
Next, don’t talk to me about levels. I didn’t have
a stick long enough to sort out the levels from one
edge to the other; a 6m stick is quite hard to find. So,
I decided to sort out it out once the pond had filled
up with water (after all – the water would show me
the levels – right?).
This is where I learnt (confession number 3) that
you should consult others e.g. Dad’s; friends that are
builders; husbands that choose to stay quiet at the
time. If you don’t do this, they will offer you all sorts
of helpful advice ONCE YOU’VE FINISHED AND
YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! Then
Pond liner when still deep
Hmm, now it’s shallower
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020
8
Edged - starting to plant Getting there
... with plants
More frogs
First frog
I didn’t want to use gravel, as we have a woodland
garden and so it’s a woodland pond; I wanted grassy
edges. So, I built up edges with clay where I needed
to and dug in the liner once it was over the top of the
they’ll say, ‘Once you’ve dug the pond, use a vertical bunds I’d created. This stopped the mud getting into
stick that you knock into the subsoil, at the length of the water; but meant that there was (and still is) liner
the piece of wood you have and level it (using a spirit showing. I’m hoping in time that this will grass over
level) in stages.’ Thank you! I really needed to know and look more natural. I have no idea whether this is
that BEFORE I LINED IT AND FILLED IT WITH the best way to do it - I’m sure my Dad would know,
WATER – WHERE WERE YOU! but I’ve not asked him (confession number 4).
I spent a long time with clods of clay levelling We have now reached June a year and a half later
everything by eye, using the water levels as they rose (yes 1.5yrs), it’s beautifully warm and I’m trying to
– I’ve not done a bad job, but it did take ages! Also, I decide whether to plant up the pond a bit or let it
worked hard not to get mud in the pondwater, as this colonise naturally. I hadn’t seen many plants that I
adds nutrients to the nutrient-poor rainwater and liked in the nearby field pond and I was concerned
can cause an oxygen deficit (not good for pondlife). about low-oxygen levels in the water. So, here comes
Trying to decide how to do the edges was a confession number 5, I decided to buy some plants
performance! The on-line guidelines on how to from an on-line native pond plant retailer. Not many,
create a pond seemed to miss out the crucial ‘doing but enough to get started. I didn’t want anything
the edges’ stage? It skipped from ‘oversized liner in too tall or reedy, so I went for Sneezewort, Water
the hole’ to ‘beautifully cut liner with perfect edging’ Avens, Ragged Robin and Cotton Grass in the
without any mention of the dark arts in-between. shallow boggier area, Water Forget-me-not, Water
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020
9
Southern Hawker
Newt eft
Mint (great for newts to lay eggs on) and
Marsh Cinquefoil on the shelf and a bog
bean in the deeper water. I planted them
in planters with peat-free compost and
gravel on the top and added a few bags of Happy frog
children’s play sand to the pond for plant
fragments to root into and to cover the
liner a bit. I bought Water Crowfoot as the wash (I wasn’t that keen on the ducks – confession
floating oxygenating plant. number 7). Last autumn, I even managed to spread
Here comes confession number 6. I know what out the spoil heap, sow some wildflower seed and
Lemna minuta (Least Duckweed) looks like. I’ve construct a log-pile shelter. My final dilemma of the
seen what it does to ponds on countless occasions. year was whether to net the pond to stop hundreds
I know that it is non-native, grows like the clapper of oak leaves from falling in it and filling it up. We
and forms a thick mat on top of the water, blocking eventually decided to net it, using a make-shift
out the light and preventing oxygen-producing frame made from old pieces of wood and a nylon
photosynthesis in other plants, thus starving the net (thank you hubby). We removed the net in early
pond of oxygen. It arrived with the native Water January and only leaves got caught in the net, so no
Crowfoot. I saw it before I put the crowfoot in need for a confession number 8.
the water, but I was too indecisive to do anything So, it has taken months (almost two years) to
about it. I should have done something about it! sort out, and digging clay is hard work; but the
Now I can’t get rid of it and have spent a lot of time pleasure is in the process. I don’t mind how long
managing it. However, I have consoled myself that it has taken, it’s in now and the wildlife loves it. I
the pair of ducks that I have seen on the pond on haven’t had a clue what I’ve been doing most of the
several occasions could just have easily brought it time, but I’m glad I got on with it and I can’t wait
in on their feet and that makes me feel better. But, see what turns up this year. I hope that some of the
should I have planted up the pond at all? You don’t photos my husband and I have taken will inspire you
need to do this – the pond will colonise naturally to dig a pond too.
given time. Perhaps I should have had more patience. The Freshwater Habitats Trust have now even
Despite the ducks, we have had loads of wildlife written an much easier guide to follow to create your
in the pond already, the frogs and newts moved in own pond, which can be found here -
straight away (even before any of the plants went in) https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/pond-clinic/
and I’m waiting to see what the toads will do. We’ve create-pond/make-garden-pond.
had dragonflies and damselflies egg-laying in the tree
trunk and in the water, water boatmen, diving beetles Good luck!
and loads of bees and birds using it to drink and
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020
10
Photo: Common Toad (Bufo bufo) © Abigail Towler, IG: @atowlerphotography
Fresh Eyes 2020: Beauty and the Toad
CiCi Blumstein (aka Agent Amphibian)
Throughout 2020, I will be on the look-out for young Abigail says: “I use the natural world as my
people under 25 years who are aspiring to or are subject a lot due to my passion to highlight the
already working in herpetology and conservation, beauty in nature and the dangers surrounding
especially highlighting the work of women and girls - climate change.” Insects and plants are usually her
still very much under represented in this field. main subject matter, but in this intriguing macro
First up in the Fresh Eyes 2020 series is Abigail photo, she has captured the delicate colouring and
Towler (17), an A-level Photography student at close-up beauty of a Common Toad (Bufo bufo).
Chichester College. Abigail found the toad in her back garden in the
I recently came across Abigail’s stunning image Chichester area, where there are some small ponds
of a toad, tucked away in a small gallery off the nearby.
Chichester high street. The photo was part of an Further afield, on a recent trip to Asia, she has
exhibition of works by Chichester College students, taken images of impressive iguanas and shy turtles.
ranging from prints and collages to paintings, If you would like to discover more of these and other
sculptures and photographs. I was surprised and examples of Abigail’s wildlife photography, check out
delighted, as it is still relatively rare to see amphibians her Instagram page here: @atowlerphotography
and reptiles as subjects in art and photography.
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 202011
Fresh Eyes 2020: Young Herpetologists to the Rescue
CiCi Blumstein (aka Agent Amphibian)
Next in the Fresh Eyes 2020 series is an aspiring and I want to dedicate my life to them. And I will.”
herpetologist - Remy Duke (14), a pupil at The The RSPCA Reptile Rescue Centre Brighton
Montessori Place school based in Framfield near is currently looking for more volunteers - you
Uckfield. Remy is especially passionate about can contact them via their website at www.
reptiles, and one day a week, she volunteers at the rspcareptilerescue.co.uk
RSPCA Reptile Rescue Centre in Brighton. She says To help aspiring herpetologists aged between
about the centre and her future plans: 5 and 17 on their way the British Herpetological
“This is the sort of place where I would like to Society offer a free membership scheme - to join
work. When I finish school, probably in my gap year, just sign up here: BHS Young Herpetologists (YH)
I want to come here and work full-time. Then when I Section
go to university, I hope to get a degree in herpetology But for now, please enjoy an excerpt from Remy’s
and, one day, I hope to have my own rescue centre. I delightful description of a day at the reptile rescue
am not one of those volunteers who comes here just centre (click on the link at the end of the article to
for fun or because their school requires them to. I read the full story):
come here because I love reptiles and amphibians,
Wednesdays at the RSPCA Reptile Rescue Centre
by Remy Duke
I come into the reptile section of the RSPCA Rescue Centre, a little early. Cat, Fred, Tom and four
volunteers (only one of whom I recognise) are sitting or leaning against the desk of what we call
the shop. This is the bit that everyone sees, where the animals that are healthy and ready for new
homes are on display, sitting peacefully in their vivarium, sleeping under their hides or (in the case
of one bearded dragon), scrabbling at the glass.
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 202012
I put my bag and hoodie in the tiny kitchen behind the desk and lean against the wall next to
Cat. I am by far the youngest volunteer there. The four other volunteers go off in pairs to the rooms
they’ve been asked to do. Fred and Tom go to do Venomous, which only the staff are allowed to go
into.
Me and Cat stay behind, as we are going to do the shop today. Cat unlocks all the vivariums,
and I go around with a temperature gun, checking both the hot and the cold ends of the vivs,
while Cat writes the numbers down in the folder. I also check which creatures need more food, a
full clean, or just a paper change. When we’ve done the whole room, we decide which end to start
cleaning at. I start with the far end nearest the door, on the leopard gecko with the dropped tail.
It has grown back, but it is now almost round and smooth. When a leopard gecko drops its tail, it
almost always grows back shaped more like a head, to reduce the risk of a predator attacking its
actual head.
It takes almost all morning to clean, water and feed everybody, including the grumpy crested
gecko in the corner. When we have finished, I sweep the floor and Cat mops after me. After that
we lock up the shop and go out to do Isolation. It is a tiny room, no bigger than a cupboard really.
At the moment it has only four snakes in it, all of which need feeding. After we have cleaned and
watered them all, Cat brings in four large mice. I pick one up with the feeding tongs and wave it in
front of the first snake’s face (I have to stand on a box because he is at the top). He takes it, and I put
his hide back on top of him. Next is the angry corn snake, who is in shed. He takes it too, and I leave
him with it. The third one is a king snake, well renowned for being sassy little biters. I wave the
mouse in front of him and he grabs it, quickly wrapping his coils around it and squeezing, trying to
crush the life out of it. Dramatic little snake. Its already dead!
The last one’s the milk snake, who is also in shed, so can’t see very well. She doesn’t seem to
recognise the mouse as food, and shies away from it. I drop it next to her. She’ll take it in her own
time.
When we have finished we walk back to the shop where most of the volunteers (and Tom and
Fred) have gathered for lunch. I sit cross-legged on the floor and listen to everyone else chatting
while I eat my lunch. When I am finished I ask Tom whether I can hold the Burmese python (Cat and
Fred had gone out for lunch), but Tom says that he’s been fed, so I ask if I can get out Grandpa, the
Yemen chameleon, and Tom says yes.
I gently tease Grandpa off his branch (he doesn’t want to come!) and put him on my hand.
He calms down after that, and starts to climb up my arm. I watch him as he makes his way to my
shoulder, and there he stops. I let him sit there for a while before gently shifting my hoodie off my
shoulder so I can put him back on my arm.
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 202013
Soon I am joined by a couple of other volunteers - two girls whom I haven’t met before, but
seem nice, and who ask to hold Grandpa. I gently nudge him forwards onto one of the girls’ arm,
and he proceeds to clamber round her back and onto the floor. I scoop him back up again and put
him on the other girl’s hand. After a lot of laughter and picture-taking from them, and smiling from
me, we put Grandpa back. They go outside for a second, and I go back to the desk. Cat and Fred are
back, and Fred is talking to someone on the phone about a baby water dragon who is coming in
today. My ears prick up. I like to be there when new creatures come in.
About twenty minutes later, a tall blonde lady walks in. She is wearing a uniform with a white
shirt with black bits on her shoulders that have gold buttons on. She has a badge that says ‘RSPCA
Collection Officer’ on it. My eyes widen. The RSPA Collection Officers are the people who go around
rescuing animals who have been treated badly, and bringing them to people like us who look after
them and re-home them. They can search people’s houses if they have had a report of an ill-treated
animal there, and take that animal away. Sometimes if the animal is being abused and the person
doesn’t want to give them up the Collection Officer can bring in the police and seize the creature.
This means that the baby water dragon was not given to us by his owner because they could no
longer look after him, but he was taken from them because he was being looked after so badly.
Fred has taken the little creature out of his box, and is holding him and talking to the lady. I
move closer […]
Continued here: Wednesdays at the RSPCA Reptile Rescue Centre
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - 2020 Events
At the time of writing the Government advice on the coronavirus pandemic is changing day by
day. However we will have to cancel all events for as long as the current advice continues. This in line
with the position of ARG-UK.
Please keep an eye on our website for updates. We will also email out to members if there are any
changes. We are sure you all understand that this decision is being made to protect people and as a
community we need to ensure that we are all doing everything possible in these extraordinary times.
We are pleased to be offering a number of amphibian Wednesday 1st April 6.30pm
and reptile group members events this year. Talk by CiCi Blumstein to Chichester
Please wear stout footwear to outdoor events and Natural History Society
appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
The Pallant Suite, Masonic Hall, South
Bring your own refreshments to keep you going.
Spotting amphibian and reptiles can be very weather Pallant, Chichester.
and temperature dependent. In order for us to be A talk on Amphibian Conservation - both locally
able to send out information about time changes or and around the world, with a special focus on frogs
cancellations due to weather, members are requested and toads, and urban pond/habitat creation. CiCi
to email the event leader to express interest in Blumstein, SxARG Outreach Officer, Artist and Frog
attending the event. All the relevant contact details Collaborator.
can be found with the event information. The talk is free for CNHS members, £3 for all
non-members.
Lectures begin at 7.15pm. Doors will open at
6.30pm
http://www.chichesternaturalhistorysociety.
org.uk/Chichester_wildlife_events
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 202014
Friday 24th April 10.30am (approx 2 hrs) Maximum 15 people - please email Anna to
Reptile Survey at RSPB’s Pulborough express interest.
Brooks Nature Reserve, nr Pulborough,
Sunday 17th May 9.30am (approx 2 hrs)
West Sussex
West Rise Marsh, Langney, Eastbourne
Run by Anna Allum & Rob King
Contact: anna.allum@rspb.org.uk Run by Kim Dawson & Ryan Greaves
A chance to visit areas of the reserve that do not have Contact: ryangreaves@sussexwt.org.uk
public access to look for the 4 species of reptile found Join Ryan and Kim for a walk around Eastbourne
on the reserve. We’ll check our refugia and talk about Borough Council’s West Rise Marsh, a 120 acre
our project to identify the reserve’s adders and what wetland site on the edge of Eastbourne. It consists of
we’ve learnt so far. Stout footwear and long trousers marshland, wet pasture and lakes and has common
recommended. Meet at the visitor centre. lizard, slow worm and grass snake as well as a great
Maximum 15 people - please email Anna to range of birds. You may also encounter the 8 or
express interest. so water buffalo that roam the site. The tracks are
informal and can be marshy and uneven. Meet at the
Evening Friday 24th & Morning Saturday 25th April Sevenoaks Park Car Park (free). Please email Ryan to
Pond Survey at Graffham Common express interest.
Nature Reserve, nr Graffham, West
Evening Friday 22nd & Morning Saturday 23rd May
Sussex
Pond Survey at Southerham Nature
Run by Glenn Norris Reserve, Lewes
Contact: Glenn at glennnorris@sussexwt.org.uk
Graffham Common Nature Reserve is one of Sussex Run by Glenn Norris
Wildlife Trust’s newest reserves and has undergone Contact: glennnorris@sussexwt.org.uk
recent heavy woodland thinning. The pond lies in A relatively new dew pond recently had Great
the shadow of Gallows Hill, the site of a Bronze Crested Newt records from some eDNA testing.
Age tumulus and the eponymous gallows of the We’ll be attempting to confirm this record as well as
local estate. The reserve hasn’t been subject to many taking a look at any other amphibians and aquatic
aquatic ponds surveys, so a lot of what we find will invertebrates after a short walk through Southerham
hopefully be new records. The evening will include Farm Nature Reserve. We’ll be netting and torching
netting and torching and setting the traps, and in the evening whilst setting up the Dewsbury trap
the morning will check the traps for amphibians and checking the trap in the morning. Evening –
and aquatic invertebrates. Evening – 19:30-21:00, 20:30-22:00, Morning – 08:00-9:00
Morning – 08:00-9:00 Meet at the Barn at Southerham Farm, but please
Meet at the reserve, but please email Glenn to email Glenn to express interest. You are welcome to
express interest. You are welcome to attend either or attend either or both parts of the survey.
both parts of the survey.
Evening Saturday 6th & Morning Sunday 7th June
Saturday 16th May 10.30am (approx 2 hrs) Rowland Wood Reptile And Moth Survey,
Reptile Survey at RSPB’s Pulborough Rowland Wood, nr. Laughton,
Brooks Nature Reserve, nr Pulborough, East Sussex
West Sussex
In Partnership With Butterfly Conservation
Run by Anna Allum & Rob King Run by Bob Foreman & Georgina Judd.
Contact: Anna.allum@rspb.org.uk Contact: Bob at bobforeman@sussexwt.org.uk
Another chance to visit areas of the reserve that do Rowland Wood is a Butterfly Conservation site
not have public access to look for the 4 species of purchased in 2010 to increase the habitat available to
reptile found on the reserve. We’ll check our refugia the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly. At the
and talk about our project to identify the reserve’s time, this was the only known breeding population
adders and what we’ve learnt so far. Stout footwear of this species in the South East of England. The
and long trousers recommended. Meet at the visitor wood is being converted from conifer woodland
centre. into broadleaf coppice, heathland, grass and bracken
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 202015
habitats with multiple ponds. All good habitats Sunday 28th June, between 2-5pm
for reptiles and amphibians. Join Bob and George ‘A Landscape of Friends’ at the Railway
torching for GCN and setting the moth trap on Land Wildlife Trust Festival, Lewes, East
Saturday evening followed by opening the trap and
Sussex
checking for reptiles on Sunday morning. Please
email Bob for exact timings. You are welcome to Meet some very special frogs and connect with
attend either or both parts of the event. amphibian conservation locally & worldwide on this
interactive walk & talk with Agent Amphibian (aka
Sunday 7th June 9.30 am (approx 2 hrs) CiCi Blumstein). No need to book on this event, just
Reptile Survey at Woods Mill, Henfield, keep an eye on the Railway Land website for details
West Sussex of the event: https://www.railwaylandproject.org/
current-events.
Led by Ryan Greaves
Contact: ryangreaves@sussexwt.org.uk Saturday 10th October 9.45am - 1pm
Join Ryan as he guides you around the easy circular SxARG heathland management work
transect at Woods Mill Nature Reserve where grass party, Tilgate Park, Crawley
snake, slow worm and common lizard have been
regularly recorded. Run by Tom Simpson and Jess Price.
Woods Mill is relatively accessible with a car Contact: Jess at sxargtreasurer@outlook.com
park and accessible toilets. Please email Ryan to The Gatwick Greenspace Partnership have been
express interest. managing this small patch of heathland reclaimed
from conifer plantation for the last 6 years. This is
Saturday 13th June 10am (approx 2 hrs) an opportunity help manage the site to benefit the
Gatwick Grass Snake Survey, Gatwick population of adder and common lizard. We will be
Woodlands, West Sussex clearing willow and birch scrub to open up basking
sites. No experience necessary. All tools, equipment
Run by Tom Simpson and Jess Price. and training will be provided, but please wear long
Contact: Jess at sxargtreasurer@outlook.com sleeves, trousers and sturdy boots. There are toilets
The Gatwick Greenspace Partnership manage and cafe at the meeting point.
this woodland complex, including adjacent arable Please email Jess to express interest. Further
fields and woodland meadows. There is a good details will be provided.
population of grass snakes, with an unusual number
of melanistic individuals. The route is easygoing, If you are interested in joining any of our events please
though wet underfoot in places, and circular with email the relevant leader. Also keep your eye out for
toilets at the meeting point. reminder e-mails and new events from SxARG nearer
the time and on our website and social media.
Membership
Jess our treasurer will be emailing all members about renewing their membership in the next few weeks.
If you know anyone who would like to join SxARG please ask them to contact Jess at
sxargtreasurer@outlook.com
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 202016
Newtsletter Essentials...
Become a Member
Membership is renewable on 1st April each year and the fees for 2020-2021 are:
Single Adult £5
Joint/Family (2 adults at one address, or family): £8
Send Us Your Sightings
One of the key aims of SxARG is to better understand the distribution of amphibians and
reptiles across Sussex. Unfortunately, we cannot do this alone and we rely heavily upon
people sending in their sightings.
If you have seen any herptiles, be it past or present, we would love to know. Please fill in
the recording form on our website at www.sussexarg.org.uk/send-us-your-sightings.
html
Upcoming Events
Please see page 13 for our full list of events currently planned for 2010.
Please keep an eye on our website www.sussexarg.org.uk or follow us on twitter and
facebook for further details.
The SxARG 2020 events programme is still being planned.
Please keep an eye on our website www.sussexarg.org.uk or follow us on twitter and
facebook for further details.
Contact Us
If you have any queries, are concerned about herpetile conservation in your area or just
have an amusing story for the newsletter then we would love to hear from you.
Please contact us via the website at www.sussexarg.org.uk/contact.html
Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group - newtsletter April 2020You can also read
