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Alpine Newts, Marsh, Pool frogs in Essex: |
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Herpetologic Member Joined: 02 Sep 2003 No. of posts: 35  View other posts by Herpetologic |
Posted: 03 Sep 2003 This year i have counted around 100+ Marsh frogs at Hadleigh Castle Country Park. i have also found alpine newts in Basildon within a Nature reserve pond. Now we do need to monitor the spread of these species in our countryside and I am sure that furthe rintroductions should be discouraged but I have one very big concern the fact that Pet shops are still selling the above species to the public!!!! The problem is there is without doubt that these species may be placed into garden ponds or dumped into the wider countryside. We have got reports of Marsh frogs from Wivenhoe Marsh, East Mersea Island, Langerhoe Marsh, Witham Golf course, and Epping Forest possibly Theydon Bois Area. several aquatic centres and pet shops have all these species aswell as Midwife Toads, Green Toads, marbled newts etc but are sold without guidance to the law Section 14 of the WCA1981. Another species that is also being sold is the European Green Lizard.What is the legal situation regarding these european species? A recent Article in the national press highlighted the population in dorset as the only colony in the UK. I have heard reports that Green Lizards used to be living around the Tilbury Area in Essex has anyone seen any records or reports of large green lizards in this area? I am planning to go down to the seawall where they were to see if they are still there 20 years. JC |
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Gemma Fairchild Krag Committee Joined: 14 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 193  View other posts by Gemma Fairchild |
Posted: 04 Sep 2003 I share your concerns about the extent to which european and other species have become established. I was and am very worried about the oriental firebellied toads, green frogs, european tree frogs and green toad that turned up in Hackney recently, particularly with the close proximity of Hackney Marshes. The frequency with which Jo Wood reported the sightings suggests that they are established in the area. (see these threads) http://www.gjscenics.co.uk/forum/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=320&PN=1 http://www.gjscenics.co.uk/forum/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=305&PN=1 http://www.gjscenics.co.uk/forum/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=349&PN=1 ----RAUK e-Forum---- 
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Jim Foster Member Joined: 24 Jul 2003 No. of posts: 19 View other posts by Jim Foster |
Posted: 04 Sep 2003 Jon Thanks for pointing this out. It's an important but tricky issue. It is not illegal to sell these species (so long as they were obtained legally), but it would be an offence to release them or to allow them to escape into the wild under S14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Unenclosed gardens would normally be classed as "wild" in the terms of the Act. A key issue is that the potential buyers are not made aware of this, and even if they are, it can be difficult to prevent escapes. There are many cases where well-meaning people have purchased such species and simply released them into the garden, from where they have spread. I think one possible way forward is to do some publicity on the issue, combined with a visit to the pet shops/garden centres concerned. I could help with this at some point. Jim Jim Foster. Reptile & amphibian specialist, Natural England. |
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Martin Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 87 View other posts by Martin |
Posted: 04 Sep 2003 Jim, does this apply to cats as well?? Martin. |
- Alpine Newts, Marsh, Pool frogs in Essex |