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RAUK - Archived Forum - List of alien species in Essex

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List of alien species in Essex:

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herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


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Posted: 30 Nov 2008

Here is a list of alien species which have been found in Essex - to date

Amphibians

Marsh Frog - Hungarian Frogs from Romney Marsh introduced to Hadleigh & Benfleet Downs in 1990's, Since introduced to South Ockenden and spread through Mardylke River - breeding and spreading fast. Rainham Marshes has been populated and this population has found a second river catchment - Ingrebourne - literally in a matter of years a few frogs have turned into hundreds!

Pool Frog - Epping Forest - Bell Common, Theydon Bois, Ardleigh and west of Colchester - self contained populations mainly in gardens

Edible frog - ? questionable

European Tree Frog - Kingswood Area of Basildon - Turkish in origin

Fire Bellied Toad - Kingswood Area of Basildon, Southend - origin unclear

Fire Salamander - Southend & Rochford - origin unclear but animals have been found in gardens and one was rescued from a fall from a block of flats

Sharp Ribbed Salamander - Chalkwell Park, Westcliff - measured over 12inches long! A very large surprise for a group of pond dippers.

North American Bullfrog - Several areas where this species has been found the odd record from Chelmsford, Thurrock, Havering and Southend - A breeding population in southwest of the county - numbers are down since 2006.

Alpine Newt - Basildon, Rochford, Colchester, Southend, garden populations mainly but some in wider countryside such as Willow Park in Basildon EWT reserve which was former plotland gardens

African Clawed Toad - recent population found in allotment garden type pond - breeding - removed from the site and in captivity

Marble Newt - reported to EARG through RAUK in Colchester - not seen again though so still in garden

Reptiles

Not many reptiles are self sustaining though people have suggested corn snakes may be surviving and breeding due to so many being taken to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital

Red eared Terrapin, Yellow Bellied Slider, Snapping turtle, alligator snapper - Many parks, fishing lakes have these animals. Rochford fishing club once weighed a terrapin which was well over 2lbs in weight -

Corn Snake - escaped pets in various areas including Southend etc

Green Lizards reported from around Tilbury area - unconfirmed status though as record is well over 25 years old

 

Any more records?

 


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
Dave1812
Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2008
No. of posts: 42


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Posted: 30 Nov 2008
Do you have any pics of the P. Waltl? 
David Hind
Wildlife Trust (Cumbria) - Member
Solway AONB - Volunteer
herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


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Posted: 30 Nov 2008

Hi Dave

Yes I do but they are on the other computer so I will post them up tomorrow when I am in the office. It was a superb animal I had it in my hand with it head above my finger and thump with its arms over the top of my hand it was so big lol

 

Jon


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
robpilley
Member
Joined: 21 Aug 2005
No. of posts: 7


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Posted: 04 Dec 2008

Hi there

I dont think its surprising that there are so many alien herps knocking around in Essex. Essex is a bit like Miami- it was once (and still is to a degree) the reptile importing centre of the UK.

Having grown up there it always amazed me how many importers and animal dealers (including fish, birds etc) there were in eastern London and out into Essex, especially along the arterial road to Southend.

Its not surprising with so much availability of species that there are so many escapees/ releases in the county over the years.

I was once told of a whole shipment of Phelsumas that broke when it arrived at a shop, resulting in day geckos wandering around Benfleet for quite a few months in the early 1990's.

Rob

 


Neil Phillips
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Joined: 10 Mar 2009
No. of posts: 3


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Posted: 11 Mar 2009
Sorry to drag up an old thread but theres some interesting stuff for an Essex resident like me here.  I knew about marsh frogs but had no idea the others were in Essex.  Are they all still here?
UK Wildlife Blog
herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


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Posted: 12 Mar 2009
Hi Neil

Yep many of these species are still around

J
Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
Robert V
Senior Member
Joined: 06 Aug 2004
No. of posts: 717


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Posted: 13 Mar 2009

Jon,

there are five, what looks like red eared terrapins living in wake valley lake in EF. I would say the largest of them run that 2 pounder very close that you mention!

Cheers

Rob


RobV
AGILIS
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
No. of posts: 694


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Posted: 14 Mar 2009
Hi Rob have seen terrapins at goldwins hill pond at the top part do you know what the are keith
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
Neil Phillips
Member
Joined: 10 Mar 2009
No. of posts: 3


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Posted: 17 Mar 2009
[QUOTE=Robert V]

Jon,

there are five, what looks like red eared terrapins living in wake valley lake in EF. I would say the largest of them run that 2 pounder very close that you mention!

Cheers

Rob

[/QUOTE]

Ive seen the wake valley terrapins, in fact this is them:


On the tree frogs is there any chance of seeing any or are they on private ground?
Neil Phillips39889.7048726852
UK Wildlife Blog
will
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
No. of posts: 330


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Posted: 18 Mar 2009
Just remembered - the most unexpected alien amphibian I've found was during a pond survey in Epping Forest in the late 90's - in a pond by some farm buildings - a painted frog, Discoglossus pictus.  No sign of any others, so probably an escape from someone's collection I guess.
tim hamlett
Senior Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
No. of posts: 572


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Posted: 18 Mar 2009

hi

i found this exotic in our pond today...discoglasses pictus

 

sorry   

tim


mhows
Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
No. of posts: 19


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Posted: 18 Mar 2009

I saw these a couple of weeks ago in Essex

 

 

Mark


herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


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Posted: 19 Mar 2009
Please send in the record -

County Recorder - moi! JCranfield26@googlemail.com

You are still up for the American Bullfrog visit this
spring summer?


J
Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
will
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
No. of posts: 330


View other posts by will
Posted: 19 Mar 2009
'discoglasses pictus' - I see what you've done there Tim...

Nice one - keep 'em coming

Will

tim hamlett
Senior Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
No. of posts: 572


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Posted: 19 Mar 2009

[QUOTE=will]keep 'em coming[/QUOTE]

thankfully that's all i've got!

tim


- List of alien species in Essex

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