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RAUK - Archived Forum - List of alien species in Essex

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List of alien species in Essex:

Author	Message
herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2	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 View other posts by Dave1812	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 View other posts by herpetologic2	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 View other posts by robpilley	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 Member Joined: 10 Mar 2009 No. of posts: 3 View other posts by Neil Phillips	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 View other posts by herpetologic2	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 View other posts by Robert V	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 View other posts by AGILIS	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 View other posts by Neil Phillips	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 View other posts by will	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 View other posts by tim hamlett	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 View other posts by mhows	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 View other posts by herpetologic2	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 View other posts by tim hamlett	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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