RAUK - Archived Forum - Posts by MickB:

Hi, this is my first message since joining the Forum, which I am finding a very valuable source of info. I'm the Reptile Recorder for the NE Wales Amphibian and Reptile Network and joint author of reptile SAPs for Flintshire, Denbighshire and the County Borough of Conwy. In an attempt to bring in more records to help identify key reptile sites in the region we are proposing a publicity campaign combined with the distribution of recording forms requesting members of the public to send in details of any reptile sightings.

Has anyone any experience of doing something similar at county or regional level elsewhere in the country and with what results? Did you get many reords? How reliable did you think they were? Did you do any follow-up checks? Overall was it a worthwhile exercise?

Any advice or comments would be welcome.

Hi all, I'm planning a population study of grass snakes at a site in Flintshire by capture and identification using digital photos. Can anyone tell me which type of shots would be most useful, head, neck or belly, or a combination of these? Have any studies of grass snakes using photo ID been published?

On one of my first visits to the Forum I noticed a topic on the subject but havn't been able to find it again since tolook at in detail. Can someone point me in the right direction, or was I dreaming?

Rob

Thanks for that and, yes, please email me your example sheet. How long has your study been running? Have you had any indications of any adverse effects on the population? I have a slight concern that repeated disturbance and handling over a number of years could drive some snakes away from their optimum habitat.

Best wishes

Mick

Gemma

Thanks for the lead.

Mick

Hi Jon

Thanks for the encouraging response.

I anticipated that many of the records would be from gardens but they all add to our knowledge of reptile distribution. Your point about the PR value of follow up visits is well made and it would be useful to add a request for photos to the recording form. I'll also take on board Gemma's comment about the misidentification of newts.

Would it be possible for you to send me a copy of the Essex reptile survey leaflet?

We are already doing targeted surveys but progress is very slow - there just aren't many people out there looking. We have run reptile survey training courses for the past 3 years and this is gradually improving the situation.

If anyone is interested our reptile survey training this year will be on Mon 26 June near Mold. I can provide further details.

Bet wishes

Mick

Hi Mike (Brown)

Yes, the Liverpool Daily Post does cover our area and I would be interested to talk further about a link up with N Merseyside ARG publicity. Would you like to contact me by Private Messenger?

Best wishes

Mick

Robert

That's encouraging to know that I am unlikely to scare them off. Unfortunately there is a proposal to graze the site to increase floristic richness. I'll discuss it with the site manager!

I'll send you my email through PM.

Mick

I found these 3 females this morning at a regularly visited site in Flintshire. I suspect all 3 are pregnant, would others agree?

 I often find it difficult to tell which animals are pregnant and, like Tony, tend to go more on behaviour. These 3 have stayed put on the hibernation site since emergence.

MickB

Tony,

They were on the hibernation area, a small limestone pavement surrounded by scrub and woodland. I see females basking together quite regularly, up to 4 at a time some years. I've been monitoring the site for 5 years using photo ID. Its quite a small, isolated population with only 10-12 adults. Some concern that it may be in decline but I need a few more years data to be certain.

Hi Tim,

Excellent photos. I'm pleased you enjoyed your Easter break here in N Wales. The only previous common lizard record for Rhyl seems to be in 1917! Could you send me the details or better still put them directly onto the N Wales local biological records centre website at www.cofnod.org.uk

Thanks,

Mick