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Posts by Scale: |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83  View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 05 Dec 2010
Topic: Bracken and burning
Could someone explain to me why a controlled winter heathland burn (excluding reptile foci)is a less favourable option than a winter cut (assuming the plot sizes are appropriate). I'm always reading 'avoid heathland burns of reptile sites', however, the oft quoted risks appear to be the same as cutting (does burning have a more fundamentally negative affect on regen/species composition etc?). Assuming direct reptile mortality is avoidable and the extent and layout of the burn controllable, what are the pros and cons of cutting/burning. Also at a Midlands heathland site i am finding good autumn/spring congregations of grass snakes in dense Bracken dominated areas (presumably hibernating in the litter layer and concealed rabbit burrows). Why is there such an emphasis on removing it from 'common' reptile sites. Without locating such areas, i'm sure the aforementioned Bracken stand would no longer exist (based on recommended reptile site management in the absence of a thorough site survey). Thanks in advance for any comments and/or suggestions Cheers Rob (P.S. this is my first post)  |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 05 Dec 2010
Topic: heathland management
Could someone explain to me why a controlled winter heathland burn (excluding reptile foci)is a less favourable option than a winter cut (assuming the plot sizes are appropriate). I'm always reading 'avoid heathland burns on reptile sites', however, the oft quoted risks appear to be the same as cutting (does burning have a more fundamentally negative affect on regen/species composition etc?). Assuming direct reptile mortality is avoidable and the extent and layout of the burn controllable, what are the pros and cons of cutting/burning. Also at a Midlands heathland site i am finding good autumn/spring congregations of grass snakes in dense Bracken dominated areas (presumably hibernating in the litter layer and concealed rabbit burrows). Why is there such an emphasis on removing it from 'common' reptile sites. Without locating such areas, i'm sure the aforementioned Bracken stand would no longer exist (based on recommended reptile site management in the absence of a thorough site survey). Thanks in advance for any comments and/or suggestions Cheers Rob (P.S. this is my first post)  |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 09 Dec 2010
Topic: The rough guide to reptile mitigation....
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 06 Jan 2011
Topic: heathland management
Thank you all. I swear i get more useful nuggets of information from this forum than any other source, its fantastic thanks. I still find the existing literature on Bracken ambiguous though; on the one hand the importance of the Bracken/reptile correlation is well noted (even to the extent that it has influenced the evolution of camouflague in at least one species!), on the other hand it is highlighted as the exemplary herpland undesirable (especially in some of the older management literature). It may precisely be this type of advice that gets transposed into the prescriptive management pamphlets used by some land managers (lacking herpetological knowledge) who wish to cover the myriad of other species requirements (with good intentions). Unfortunately (in the midlands) we don't have the Smooth Snake or the Sand lizard to aid site protection or to help generate the funds necessary for pre-management and monitoring surveys. It just ain't on the agenda, unfortunately. I guess that is why all the serious herpers seem to live in Farnham! (come to think of it all the good naturalists seem to come from that area) Referring to what Gemma wrote, the Bracken stand i mentioned originally is longstanding, has a deep litter layer and would have been one of the first areas to be removed as a result. Gemma, i have read your stuff before and i have to say that you have incredible insight and frequently note things that i have never seen elsewhere. e.g. the increase in adder numbers at a communal hibernation site, due not to habitat improvement but habitat destruction and resultant influx (inspired thinking and somewhat relevant to the above, albeit in gorse format). More people should be writing books! Cheers everyone and have a Herpy New Year Rob |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 06 Jan 2011
Topic: Snakes, Coroline, onduline and I
I have come to the conclusion (not solely) that Onduline is the best material for surveying snake sites. Having said that it is bloomin' expensive compared to say tin. I have found Coroline for a couple of quid less per sheet, but have never used it or read of it being used, although i'm sure a more dedicated herpetophile than I has. The manufacture's notes inform me that the fundamental difference is the thickness (2.6mm compared to 3mm Onduline). Presumably this would affect its heat retention properties but to what degree? Has anyone used it? Does anyone know where to get the cheapest Onduline/Coroline or is the information privileged (like the generosity of my local bottle bank Cheers P.S. is anyone else itching to get out to the heath and mire. Happy new year on the 1st of January! I don't think so, i'll be saving me bunting and party poppers for March thank you very much! |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 07 Jan 2011
Topic: Snakes, Coroline, onduline and I
Thanks for that Gemma. Have you tried Coroline and if so how do you rate it? Cheers |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 11 Jan 2011
Topic: Snakes, Coroline, onduline and I
I have to say I don't generally encounter snakes under roofers? felt, other than perhaps occasional juveniles/immatures (although I?m probably doing something wrong?). I do like tin and I can get hold of the old stuff from me local tinker much cheaper than Onduline. The problem is I like checking refugia for slow-worm (and perhaps C. Lizard) on slightly cooler, overcast days (when I can survey all day and still get excellent results). In these conditions tin seems to become too cold and doesn't cut the mustard for me. Clearly I would not expect to find many snakes in such conditions but I do like to make the most of our all too brief herping calendar, so I require a good all round material suitable for surveying all the 'common or widespread' species under a range of differing weather conditions. I like the idea of using fence off cuts, although I have never used them myself, or board for that matter. I frequently find reptiles under such dumped materials though. I did once use the laminated wooden doors and panels from my rebuffed kitchen units. The result was slow-worm initially but then a high humidity built up (due to the cool and non-porous laminate no doubt), the grass turned to slush and the toads and GCNs moved in and the slow-worms out. Either that or the ants decided to build their labyrinthine cities beneath. One of the best materials I used were off cuts from an old half inch thick, fibre reinforced industrial rubber belt drive that I found in a defunct aggregates quarry. Fantastic stuff for reptiles and amphibians (it had amazing heat retention and distribution qualities in that the underside was never overly hot). The rubber residue didn't half used to cake my hands and clothes though. I must have smelt like the Michelin man?s underpants. Having said all that I am much in favour of a mixture of cheap and recycled materials. It is often better not to over engineer a possible solution and focus, intuition, confidence and high expectations in your own methods are key to finding such cryptic animals, i think. Cheers for your comments |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 11 Jan 2011
Topic: Snakes, Coroline, onduline and I
P.S. Gemma, I noticed that my user name appears as 'Scale' and not 'Scales' as intended. Is there a way of changing this? Scale just sounds plain out creepy! |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 11 Jan 2011
Topic: Snakes, Coroline, onduline and I
I am encouraged by mark b's results. I too think that felt is superb for attracting Common Lizards and was surprised to read that people feel otherwise. I had 6 adults under 50 x 50cm roofers' felt and numerous similar scenarios throughout the summer period (often in overcast conditions [under]). Plus they're always roaming around on top of the felt in sunnier conditions. Why no Slow-worm's mark, any theories? What's the habitat like? Their absence must be unusual for a site supporting the 3 other species, no? |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 11 Jan 2011
Topic: Snakes, Coroline, onduline and I
Hi Jon, Speaking of Slow-worms, I often see reference to a 5-10% detection rate of populations in survey reports. Is this based on an ACO density of 10 per ha/ and a defined number of visits? Most reports i have seen using this figure also use an indeterminate number of ACO's (generally far exceeding the often impractical recommended Froglife density for small sites)and a wide variation in survey effort. Has it just been shown that a 5-10% variation covers the broadest range of survey standards? I am often perplexed by its loose application. Cheers |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 11 Jan 2011
Topic: Snakes, Coroline, onduline and I
Jon, Is that from a single peak count or are you using combined biometrics and suggesting a similar high rate of non- detection over time. Surely a well recorded site (such as yours) would lean more towards a 10% detection rate, if not much greater. Also I'm not sure how GCN capture returns can inform Slow- worm population densities, taking into account that the two species are so distantly unrelated. I'm not saying it is wrong by any means but can you explain? |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 12 Jan 2011
Topic: Snakes, Coroline, onduline and I
Gemma, I found a slow-worm under a discarded chopping board once. I wonder what they?re trying to tell us!? Mark, try getting your tin from your local scrap metal yard. Use a more homespun, word of mouth, company such as you might find in a Parish magazine, The Yellow pages etc. Alternatively if you know, or have friends who know, farmers make contact with them. Farmers often have (roofing) materials knocking about and they frequently wish to get rid of them. As I'm sure you know, tin with an aged character seems to perform better anyhow, so you end up paying much less and getting a better working product. Failing those try your local cookware store. Pots and pans could well be the materials for 2011. The methodology for carrying out surveys to accompany planning applications or to seek similar permissions should always include visual surveys. Whether these searches are carried out or not, or indeed successful, is another matter. It would depend, I think, on the individual surveyor's experience, skill and commitment to the project. It would certainly appear in the methodology section of their report, or you would expect it to. Rob |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 14 Jan 2011
Topic: Whatos That Caterpillar?
Vicar, Have a look at the cover of AIDGAPS: A Key to the major groups of british terrestrial invertebrates BY S.M.Tilling. You don't get a more endorsed id than that! |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 14 Jan 2011
Topic: Ticks on GCNs
Last summer i found a tick on the neck of a young GCN, sheltering under a reptile mat. He was clearly infected and heavily dropsied all over, as if about to burst. I thought the poison glands would deter such a critter, particularly around the head and neck area. Anyone else seen ticks on amphibians? Cheers |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 14 Jan 2011
Topic: Reptile survey & mitigation 2 seasons?
Example: an area of arable land has been identified as potential replacement habitat for an adjacent relocation program.The area is seeded/turfed with an (appropriate?) mix of grass and herbs. Does anyone have any comments about this approach or examples of this having been successful? Is there a minimum length of time required for suitable habitat maturation (assuming unimproved/neutral grassland was the aim)? At what stage have reptiles first been noted using these habitats when encouraged to do so naturally and what variations have people noted between reptile species. Assuming that common and/or locally suitable plant species are used has anyone noted a good species composition, are there any typical herbs/grasses particularly favourable to 'common' reptiles. Example: Slow-worm, tussock forming grass species for cover, high numbers of grass/herbs as suitable food/nectar plants for common herbivorous gastropods, Lepidoptera/Coleoptera larva etc The reason I ask is that I have been thinking about carrying out some experiments in a lawned area of my garden, as peripherally it supports slow-worm. There seems to be a lack of information on periods of required habitat maturation suitable for in situ reptile relocation (or does this exist somewhere?). I wonder do animals survive this premature relocation or are certain species more tolerant than others. My experiment would begin and end with slow-worm and based purely on its ability to occupy such a wide range of common habitats I would hypothesise that this species would adapt the most quickly and favourably. (I would point out that I don't plan on relocating the animals merely link controlled seeded/turfed plots to peripheral habitat supporting Slow-worms. I wondered if this would be a worthy endeavour or am I just repeating previous experiments i.e. perhaps a German study! Rob |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 16 Jan 2011
Topic: Ticks on GCNs
No I didn't but perhaps I should have done. Unless the animal were maimed and in immediate agony I would tend to just let nature run its course. Just out of interest where would a vet stand on treating a bacterially infected Great Crested Newt? Rob |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 16 Jan 2011
Topic: GCN egg laying material
I would imagine that UV levels and temperatures would be much lower at the base of a shaded pool. Possibly also higher predation rates as a result of bottom dwelling inverts, a weaker protective leaf barrier and a more conspicuous contrast in egg colour/increased risk of bacterial/fungal infection. In short I doubt it would be the selected choice for GCN oviposition. Having said all that I have found eggs on decaying leaves. Newly fallen ones after heavy winds are commonly used as are many other objects such as the fibrous roots of Sallow scrub. Try poking a few (say Crack Willow) twigs with leaves on the end into the silt and check them at a later date. This may save on the hard search!, depending on what the survey is for. |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 01 Feb 2011
Topic: HERE?,,,,,,,,,,,, kitty kitty!!!
Whilst driving at night my brother rounded a corner to see a large black cat crossing the road in front of his car. This was in Shropshire about 7 years ago. I've never known him to lie and if he was i reckon i could tell. He never reported it, publicised it or banded it about so what would be the point of making it up anyway. |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 01 Feb 2011
Topic: Ticks on GCNs
I wasn't thinking legally, there is provision enough for the euthanasia and treatment of crippled GCNs. I was more under the impression that many vets prefer not to treat a wild reptile/amphibian (animal). |
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Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 01 Feb 2011
Topic: Are leeches good for garden ponds?
I read somewhere that small black Leeches form the main diet of aquatic phase Great Crested Newts. I can't remember where i saw it, who published it or how old the study was though. I would think flat worms would be easy pickings for all amphibians. |
- Posts by Scale |
)? Has anyone noted the minimum size sheet for attracting snakes or a wallet friendly compromise (assuming the bigger the sheet the better)