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Posts by Nick Moulton: |
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Nick Moulton Member Joined: 29 May 2008 No. of posts: 4  View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 30 May 2008
Topic: Hundreds of reptiles killed
Just to clarify; main points put to media. Fire-brigade did well to stop fire. National Trust had good Fire-Brigade access routes and fire-breaks. c.90%+ reptiles killed by fire/smoke/loss of habitat. Of the surviving a few snakes will get to un-burnt habitats. Sand lizards usually remain with their burrows in burnt area. c.20 years for habitat for habitat to recover, another 20 years for reptile population to recover. 10 out of 13 sand lizards seen were caught and relocated to unburnt habitats adjacent to fire to allow for population recovery. In this particular instance very limited numbers of other reptiles seen either live/dead. During the last 15 years with the more vigorous Fire-Brigade, Police and wardening responses the situation has slightly improved. Active support from herpetologists helps. Media certainly highlights the problems for reptiles (previously heath fires not taken very seriously) though misquotes, quotes out of context can be common. Don't think I'll get the Head of Media/Communication job !
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Nick Moulton Member Joined: 29 May 2008 No. of posts: 4 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 09 Jun 2008
Topic: Sand Lizards Digging Egg Burrows
Starting to see a lot of female sand lizards digging egg-burrows in Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey and the re-introduction sites in West Sussex. If the weather holds the animals, and "test digs" should be noticable for a couple of days if anyone needs photos or is out surveying. Hope this helps, Nick
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Nick Moulton Member Joined: 29 May 2008 No. of posts: 4 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 11 Jul 2008
Topic: Chester Zoo Sand lizards
Hi John, Sorry didn't reply sooner - dont get in much ! Should have c.15 animals differing ages though database needs updating - staff changes. Young animals have been used to release on 4 sitese in Wales (previously extinct) and others in Merseyside dunes. Re-introductions doing very well. second picture of all green animals great - certainly unusual ! All the best, Nick
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Nick Moulton Member Joined: 29 May 2008 No. of posts: 4 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 30 Sep 2008
Topic: arne
Hi Will / Tony, We saw same controlled burns in summer survey visit and made report on findings of animals and problems with some management techniques. Can confirm are controlled winter burns (though before new regulations came through). To reduce impact have kept to 1/3 Ha in most cases though we have stated that this is still illegal and if heather management is necessary small mowing would be preferred. They have done this management with best intentions though we are trying to get a meeting to make certain that habitat and species management concerns are both taken into account and that reptile foci are noted for in management plan. Huge Sika Deer numbers on site also problematical as degrading many areas of mature heath. hope this helps for now. All the best, Nick
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- Posts by Nick Moulton |