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RAUK - Archived Forum - RAUK field trip

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RAUK field trip:

Author	Message
herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2	Posted: 05 Jan 2007 Mark suggested that we should meet up at a field site and all go for a bit of herping.....so why dont we do just that? Perhaps we could visit one of Tony's field sites (sorry Tony you may have to miss out on this trip) or any other suggestions would be welcome We just need to agree a time and place for the spring I would suggest Lightwater Country Park - for sand lizards, viviparous lizards, adders, slowworms, grass snakes and apparently smooth snakes Perhaps we could take in a few sites in the same area? Jon Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife

armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata	Posted: 05 Jan 2007 May I make a suggestion. Lightwater is an excellent choice. But not far away is a site that I was just getting into re adders. Al knows it and he was kind enough to post that lovely photo of a male that I recorded there. This site would benefit from further survey; added interest is that a number of adders there are melanistic; also cracking site for grass snakes. I have established that there are at least two subpopulations; i.e. two main hibernacula, but there are probably more; particularly on other side of road. I think I posted a photo of males mosaic basking at one hibernacula there. What will spur you on is that the 'dance' is almost guaranteed. If you are interested I could give you some methodology guidance; although I know you are experienced guys and gals - anyway it keeps me in touch with me adders. (Other then puff/horned/dwarf/gaboon etc). I only started looking at this site in 2000; so let me know what you think. 'I get my kicks on Route 62'

arvensis Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 445 View other posts by arvensis	Posted: 05 Jan 2007 Lightwater sounds good, are we looking at April time and either a Saturday or Sunday? I'll have a look at my roster and see what days I've got off(I can work all sorts of funny hours!) Tony, I wouldn't count myself as experienced - I'm learning all the time! Jon, had a look at the site where the Skatepark is - they certainly used up quite a bit of the habitat there. Admittely it was dark when I looked there but it doesnt look good- will take a daytime look somewhen. Anyway, looking forward to sorting out a field visit. Cheers, Mark Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group.

armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata	Posted: 05 Jan 2007 But isn'tthat just the beauty of this game; you will never know it all; the lifetime student of herpetology. e.g. since I started my viper book have had rather a steep learning curve re taxonomy; just delving into toxinology now. 'I get my kicks on Route 62'

Ray999 Senior Member Joined: 07 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 101 View other posts by Ray999	Posted: 06 Jan 2007 Hi If this open to all I would like to come along but when you decide on the location you will have to be a little more specific.Living up here in the North West and being a bit of a novice lightwater Country Park dosn,t mean a lot to me. Cheers Ray ray999

Suzi Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 No. of posts: 860 View other posts by Suzi	Posted: 06 Jan 2007 It's not too far from me here in East Devon so I would be interested and I would love to see sand lizards and smooth snakes. I've been on my own but seen nowt even though I know I was in the right places. Suz

herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2	Posted: 06 Jan 2007 Anyone going to the Herp Workers Meeting in January? We could arrange more details if some of us can meet up there - I am going as I am taking one of the workshops Regards Jon Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife

Peter Vaughan Senior Member Joined: 21 Mar 2005 No. of posts: 170 View other posts by Peter Vaughan	Posted: 06 Jan 2007 Good idea Jon - Lightwater (or the nearby Adder site) looks like a good venue and for me is not far from my home area. I'd like to come along - a weekend date would be preferable, given the demands of the day job! On the Delamere Forest thread we've been talking about a Purbeck visit - it would be good if we could do that as well sometime. Peter Peter Vaughan

herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2	Posted: 06 Jan 2007 Here are some dates 7th April 14th April 21st April 28th April 5th May I am free on any of these dates so we just have to find the one which most people can make - I think that we should go to Lightwater to carry out some monitoring for sand lizards and then take in the tins there for the other species. If we fancy an amphibian trip perhaps we could approach Froglife to go and see the Orton Brick Pits in Peterborough later in the year? Regards JC Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife

Danial Senior Member Joined: 01 May 2003 No. of posts: 100 View other posts by Danial	Posted: 07 Jan 2007 Count me in Jon and should see you at the HWM. Danial Consultant Ecologist and Amphibians Officer of Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group www.surrey-arg.org.uk

reptilelover1 Member Joined: 24 Oct 2006 No. of posts: 26 View other posts by reptilelover1	Posted: 07 Jan 2007 would i be able to come considering im 13 thanks jordan jordie g

arvensis Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 445 View other posts by arvensis	Posted: 07 Jan 2007 I can make either the 7th or 14th April. Cheers, Mark Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group.

herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2	Posted: 08 Jan 2007 If you can convince one of your parents to come along with you I think that would be fine. It depends how far away you are The 1st RAUK Members Field Trip 2007 (disclaimer - not authorised by RAUK - participants attend at their own risk) Lightwater Country Park (Bagshot Heath), Lightwater Surrey - quarry - the British reptiles (possibly with the exception of the smooth snake) SU916 620 April 7th or 14th Meet at the second car park at around 09.00am Please pm me with any confirmed dates other ideas for other field trips welcome Bournemouth - green lizards/wall lizards, North Downs (Surrey), New Forest etc herpetologic239090.3073842593 Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife

reptilelover1 Member Joined: 24 Oct 2006 No. of posts: 26 View other posts by reptilelover1	Posted: 08 Jan 2007 ok il try jordie g

armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata	Posted: 08 Jan 2007 What about my Chobham site - tis just up the rpoad from Lightwater 'I get my kicks on Route 62'

Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416 View other posts by Alan Hyde	Posted: 08 Jan 2007 Chobham, Lightwater... both are just up the road for me so , either will do. I only do week days herping though, being a househubby I can herp anytime during school hours. Weekends are family time Al O-> O+>

armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata	Posted: 08 Jan 2007 Seems to me that you are getting a good response. So would it not make sense to split the party for the two sites i.e. Lightwater/Chobham - then have a 'social' get tohether afterwards and compare notes. If you go on the dates entioned - at Chobham you will see mating pairs of adders and a more than good chance for the 'dance'. Only a suggestion; don't want to rock th boat. Gemma is very quiet is all OK, or is she on hols. 'I get my kicks on Route 62'

arvensis Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 445 View other posts by arvensis	Posted: 09 Jan 2007 Al, I'm sure I could meet up with you somewhen during a weekday because a good percentage of my days off are then. Mark Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group.

herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2	Posted: 09 Jan 2007 so what date are we going for? 7th or 14th April or an alternative day for the mid weekers? JC Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife

herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2	Posted: 09 Jan 2007 Please note the disclaimer I have added to the announcement message - this is one reason why possible the members of RAUK could become a consituted body Regards JC Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife

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