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Posts by wellies101:

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wellies101
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Posted: 25 Jun 2009 Topic: STOBOROUGH HYDE HEATH obliteration



[QUOTE=GemmaJF]

You may feel Steve that 'education' is the way forward, but sorry I've had enough of these site trashings in the name of 'conservation'.

Perhaps Wellies learnt a little there about 'the what and why' of this sort of site trashing.

[/QUOTE]

So should we not educate and let no-one have a clue about UK herps? I'd like to see what their long term status is then? If you think things are bad now imagine how bad they could be?! As Iowarth pointed out, "As a general comment we should all remember that whether we are talking about HCT, RSPB, WTs, ARGs etc etc they all, irrespective of cock-ups, do have at the heart of their concerns the well being of our wildlife and its habitat. Cock-ups or not, it would all be far worse off without them". And I think the important part of this quote is "wildlife", reptiles are a part of a massive picture and as much of this massive picture needs to be considered as possible.

I also think Armata made a good point saying "It continues to be a mystery why the powers that be don't put their hands up and just admit; yes, we know we are killing reptiles, but its for the long term good". I'm not saying this makes the death of some animals ok, it should be the last option used, but if it is used, we shouldn't lose sight of the bigger picture. It would also take some serious guts to say it, and would still come in for a lot of flak, but IMO, is what is going on on the majority of sites throughout the UK. I think long-term the wildlife, not just reptiles, in these habitats will benefit.





wellies101
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Posted: 25 Jun 2009 Topic: STOBOROUGH HYDE HEATH obliteration



[QUOTE=GemmaJF]

1) Am I against education regarding herps?

...No...

2) Why did I react to your post the way I did?

Because I've heard the same argument over and over from land managers. Lets face it I may specialise in a small group of species, but that is because I don't like 'Jack's of all trades masters of none'. It doesn't work in ecology so that is the corner I argue.

3) Am I against management of land?

No, some of the best reptile sites I know are managed on a regular basis.

4) Do I beleive that the current approach to heathland restoration is in the longterm beneficial to a wide variety of species?

No I'm afraid I do not. Tony (armata) once coined the phrase on here 'throwing the baby out with the bath water'. This is very much how I see the plight of reptiles during these schemes.

We have lost the vast majority of heathland in the UK already to Development. We now see a landscape with reduced dispersal and colonisation routes.

If for example a WT decides the best way to manage Gorse at a local site is to call in a contractor, what might happen? Well it just may turnout if nobody surveyed the site that they dig up an adder hibernaculum in the process. So does that effect the wider picture? Well it may well mean site extinction for that species with little chance of recolonisation. In my view that is really tragic and becomes a key point. Unfortunately I've often heard the 'wider picture' argument put in a way that makes the event seem trivial. Fact is it isn't trivial for the adders is it! I find it hard to grasp the longterm benefit of site extinction also.

So what might they have done? Well they might have asked myself or many members of this site to survey first. Then perhaps we could have informed them of the situation and the hibernaculum and any other key adder habitat might have been preserved during the management.

That would be a good situation for all wouldn't it?

All I'm asking for is awareness and sympathetic management so we don't end up throwing the baby out with the bath water. This stuff isn't exactly rocket science either.

Now on that 'wider picture argument', and I know it is just what you have been told so why wouldn't you believe it, show me the evidence of a single heathland restoration scheme carried out in the UK that benefitted a wide variety of species.

....I mean a report that shows pre-management work survey data and then say within in 10 years the benefit the work actually had......

See Steve might have even convinced me your worth talking to Wellies

[/QUOTE]

Gemma

I hope your sitting down because I agree with your 4 points.

1. I'm all for education, without it I wouldn't be surveying for reptiles as actively as I am! I'm in this industry as a conservationist rather than a consultant (not that I have a probelm with consultants I'll add) so I'm looking to conserve and improve diversity on any site(s) I'm involved with.

2. I can appreciate your reaction and understand your energy with which you present your side of the argument, I honestly can. Having specialists in any industry is vital. I also believe there is a place for jack-of-all-trades within the environment industry, provided that when they need specialist advice they seek it.

3. Again I agree. Without management a lot of our habitats would have undergone massive succession and we'd have lost countless species.

4. This is the only point where we somewhat disagree. However, I do agree there are examples out there where management is having a negative impact on site biodiversity. In the same breath though, there are some good examples of heathland restoration out there, and I believe more will surface given time.

Now maybe my view on this last point is because I'm inexperienced and have little to compare to, but it is (from what I have seen in my short career) what I believe.

Finally, I'm glad Steve (many thanks Steve) has convinced you I'm worth talking to. I hope given time I can prove this further.

Wellies




wellies101
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Posted: 25 Jun 2009 Topic: STOBOROUGH HYDE HEATH obliteration



My guess would be scrub on the left and towards the back?


wellies101
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Posted: 25 Jun 2009 Topic: STOBOROUGH HYDE HEATH obliteration



Armata

Funny you should mention pine felling to restore heathland as most of my exposure to heathland restoration has been as a result of pine felling and, in terms of heathland restoration, is fantastic!

Glad I got it right, phew!!

James



wellies101
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Posted: 25 Jun 2009 Topic: STOBOROUGH HYDE HEATH obliteration



[QUOTE=armata]Thats good!

The main difference is that although successful post felling awaits colonisation, which is different to managing heathland with a long history of reptile occupation. [/QUOTE]

I agree Armata. Successful management of the two stages of heathland habitat require different things.



wellies101
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Posted: 04 Dec 2008 Topic: Reptiles from "corridor" to "park"



Hi All

First post here! I work in a country park (c. 200 acres) that is technically 13 years old as a park. Before this it was a gravel extraction site then landfill. Now it has neutral grassland meadows, lakes, reedbeds and wet woodlands and in my limited experience so far in conservation, this smacks of potential reptile habitat.

However, before I started (18 months ago) there had been no records of reptiles since the park opened. I put 12 reptile tins out along the edge of the park which runs along a railway line to check for their presence at the back end of this summer and we've had 2 juvenile grassy's during that time! However, they've not been recorded elsewhere on site and my concern is they are using the railway line as a wildlife corridor and not branching into the park and the rest of the habitat.

They would have one, maybe two, paths to cross, but they are only 1m wide at most. Then they are in meadows or scrub, perfect! I have spoken to Steve Langham @ SARG (not going against the advice you gave me then Steve, just thought I'd see if other people had other ideas) about how we try and encourage the reptiles "into" the park who gave me great advice. However, I just wanted to see if other people had any experience of how to potentially overcome obstacles such as this?

The alternative (again in discussion with Steve @ SARG about this) is to introduce reptiles into the heart of the park from a donor site that is being developed, therefore, losing the habitat completely.

Any thoughts?



wellies101
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Posted: 05 Dec 2008 Topic: Reptiles from "corridor" to "park"



Jon

VES? Visual Encounter Survey? Can you describe the methodology of this to me please? I have visions of sitting in possible reptiles locations for a set amount of time, or walking a regular transect.

"I would look at the management of the park - look for areas which can be left undisturbed or managed very lightly. I would create brash piles or compost piles along hedgerows near the railway line.

I would also look at the prey items for snakes - are there any ponds on the site? can you put in some ponds to try and establish newts and other amphibians. Locate them near the railway."


There are compost piles, one very large, and two ephemeral ponds near the railway line so both of these exist currently and have done for a number of years. 


Slow worms and common lizard have never been recorded on site, but as you suggest, I would like to get at least a full seasons recording done (2009) before I look at species introductions.


James





wellies101
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Posted: 11 Dec 2008 Topic: Reptiles from "corridor" to "park"



Robert

Possibly, but this part of the park has quite a high degree of disturbance anyway (mainly from dog walkers on leads and walkers in general) who alll stick to the path. And in Spring/Summer, most of the tins can't be seen from the path so they aren't that obvious (and in Winter they have very little under them).

James



wellies101
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Posted: 18 May 2009 Topic: Management and Population Extinctions



[QUOTE=GemmaJF]

I do not see how you can imagine the comment implicates yourself, you have not even posted on the thread. I actually agree with Keith's comments and having had the misfortune to deal with so called 'management conservation professionals' I would describe the comment as descriptive rather than abusive. Then again I know Keith personally and can measure his irritation at the constant lawless slaughter of protected species. You only identify yourself as a 'Ranger'. I suggest if you don't like the forum, you don't use it.
 
If you have any further suggestions on how the forum should be run, don't bother me with them, clearly the post is rather old and yet you feel somewhat motivated to make something of it, is it a little too close to home?
 
 
Oh the freedom of giving up the forum admin job is bliss

 

[/QUOTE]

Hi Gemma

I do not imagine the comment is aimed at me, I know its not. It is aimed at those managing the site. The offense comes from the language used, irrespective of who it is aimed at.

When have I mentioned I dislike this forum? I find this very interesting, isn't a bit of healthy debate what forums are all about? Open discussion to view other topics, methods, ways of thinking, etc.???


"If you have any further suggestions on how the forum should be run, don't bother me with them, clearly the post is rather old and yet you feel somewhat motivated to make something of it, is it a little too close to home?"

Can you show me where I have told you how to run the forum? I just thought use of offensive language would be against forum rules as standard? I have posted a complaint which has gone to you, I didn't know this, but seen as you have taken this responsibility on surely you should deal with it from a neutral perspective (i.e. not reply by saying I agree with the comment you are complaining about so stop bothering me) and not posting a complaint publicly.

The post may be old, but the thread is still an active topic is it not? And surely you need to read the whole thread to be fully informed and comment on it? The thread isn't too close to home, but even if it was I fail to see any relevance.

Blimey, all I wanted to say was I took offense to the use of one word, regardless of who it was aimed at.



wellies101
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Posted: 18 May 2009 Topic: Management and Population Extinctions



Oh Gemma. I'm not going up against anyone, I made a complaint about a comment made that I found offensive, that was the reson for my complaint.

Unbelievably I do know what this is about. Protecting our native herps wherever possible, which I fully support.

I do not need to stick up for whoever is involved in this, I'm sure they are capable of doing that themselves.

May I also congratulate you on doing a very professional job on representing RAUK. Keep up the good work.



wellies101
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Posted: 17 Jun 2009 Topic: Advice needed



I would say first step is to identify what species of newt you have and how big the population is.


wellies101
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Posted: 21 Jun 2009 Topic: STOBOROUGH HYDE HEATH obliteration



Have they explained (on-site) what work was done and why?


wellies101
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Posted: 23 Jun 2009 Topic: STOBOROUGH HYDE HEATH obliteration



[QUOTE=GemmaJF]

Are you being serious?

The work that was done was a bulldozer was used to clear annoying gorse (the same gorse that produces fantastic underground root systems used by native herptiles and provides essential cover)

The reason, because they got given some money to do it.

And before you come back on me Wellies... show me the pre-works survey report, you know the one written by a professional reptile specialist who surveyed the site (at the correct times of year and with sufficient effort) before they sent the diggers in.........

Welcome to the real world of conservation in action. I really should dig out some of my photos. The one of the Fire brigade doing their best to save a piece of heathland that was set light to by 'conservation volunteers' as I stood and watched after I repeatly stated over several years on this forum that Essex Wildlife trust should not light fires each spring during the spring adder emergence right next to the main hibernacula in an area surrounded by gorse and dry bracken comes to mind... Or perhaps the photographs of the 'professional worker' at the controls of a tractor trashing adder habitat, who stated in an email that he saw, 'lots of adders in the area' and when challenged by myself to stop trashing the area stated 'this isn't adder habitat'.

I had over 50 survey records for adder in that area. Guess what, not seen one there for three years.

[/QUOTE]

Gemma, I only asked to try and get a clearer picture as I'm not familiar with the site, thats all. I apologise for trying to get details to take a more informed viewpoint.

I can see the work was done by plant machinery.

If the work was done to remove Gorse, I believe they should have done the area shown by hand, being more selective and less damaging to the habitat. However, I would still like to know why they chose the plant machinery route. Don't shout at me, I'm saying that choice looks very wrong in this case, but all I have seen is photos from one side of the argument.



wellies101
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Posted: 05 Jul 2009 Topic: Good evening surveying



Started off with this chap



Then got this guy a tin or two later



Before a very pleasant surprise of this little fella about 10 seconds walk from the 2nd smoothy



And on another site survey earlier in the evening got adder and slow worm, just missing 2. Not bad for a few hours searching!



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