Earlier toad migrations spark government rethink

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation has been informed that the government’s Department for Transport will rethink rules governing temporary ‘Toad Crossing’ signs.

Traditionally toad signs in many areas could only be erected between February and May. Now, because of earlier migratory habits of the common toad, councils will now be allowed to erect signs from January onwards.

Thousands of toads migrate from hibernation sites to breeding ponds in early spring. In many areas this journey, sometimes up to a mile, will involve crossing roads.

“Because of changes in our climate they are breeding and migrating earlier in the year," said Amphibian and Reptile Conservation’s Dr. John Wilkinson. “Erecting toad crossing warning signs up to a month earlier could potentially save thousands of toads every year."

"We look forward to hearing more information about the change in signage laws from the Department of Transport.”

The common toad Bufo bufo is found throughout Britain, though populations are thought to have disappeared in recent decades, particularly in the south east of England.

Declines have been so severe that the species is now listed on the UK government’s ‘Biodiversity Action Plan’ watchlist.

"Toad mortality is very high on the roads. Once you used to see a flood of the creatures, now it is down to a trickle,” said Dr. Wilkinson. "They have also suffered because of a loss of habitat, a loss of woodland and the increased use of pesticides."

In a Telegraph article today Edmund King, the AA’s President said: "To be honest I have always wondered what drivers are supposed to do if they see amphibians in the road in front of them."

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation advise the following:

1. Slow down carefully and, if possible, safely drive around toads.

2. Note your location, the approximate number of animals and, if possible, the direction the toads are moving and report this to Froglife – they map where crossings occur, support the process of sign erection and in some places we can help coordinate volunteer ‘Toad Patrols’.

For more about Toads on Roads (through Froglife) visit: www.froglife.org/toadsonroads

School children meet the Welsh Dragon

After last week’s successful releases in Surrey, sand lizards are today being released at a National Nature Reserve in Wales, managed by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).

Due to extensive loss of heathland and sand dune habitats on which they depend, sand lizards were lost entirely north and west Wales during the last century. Coordinated releases, over a number of years, are now seeing them return to Ynyslas nature reserve.

“The project has been a resounding success over the past fifteen years or so,” said CCW’s Dr Liz Howe. “We’ve seen numbers increase strongly on all the release sites, because the lizards are now breeding naturally. We also know that they are extending their range as they move further from the reintroduction areas.”

“But it is important that we continue to introduce young lizards to suitable new sites for some years to come – so that a population with a good range of ages and genetic variation is established.”

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation’s Chris Davis, -who, along with Paul Hudson, reared the lizards from eggs- was on hand at the release site:

“Every year we undertake these lizard releases I have an immense sense of pride, satisfaction and joy, but with a tear in the eye…” he said.

Yesterday local school children were introduced to the lizards and learnt more about their important sand dune habitats, with lizard experts and Mike Bailey, CCW's Head Warden, along with other CCW site staff.

“They proved an attentive and appreciative audience with many interesting questions,” commented Mr Davis.

The sand lizard Lacerta agilis is the UK’s largest and rarest lizard. The three inch long baby sand lizards released today have been reared in special hatcheries, prepared by zoos (including Chester Zoo and Marwell Wildlife) and experts from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.

The coordinated action forms part of a major ‘rescue operation’ to save the UK’s threatened reptiles and amphibians - frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards.

For more information: www.arc-trust.org/science/saps.php

400 rare lizards released into wild as part of ‘rescue operation’ for UK’s reptiles and amphibians

Almost 400 of the UK’s rarest lizards are being carefully prepared for release into the wild at sites across England and Wales, starting today at a nature reserve in Surrey, owned by the National Trust.

The coordinated action forms part of a major ‘rescue operation’ to save the UK’s threatened reptiles and amphibians - frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards.

The sand lizard Lacerta agilis is the UK’s largest and rarest lizard. The two inch long baby sand lizards released today have been reared in special hatcheries, prepared by zoos and experts from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.

The male sand lizard’s striking green flanks were once a common sight in certain parts of England and Wales. But massive loss of heathland and sand dunes in the twentieth century led to widespread extinctions. Sand lizards were lost entirely from Kent, Sussex, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Devon, Cornwall, Cheshire and north and west Wales. In addition, conservationists estimate that over 90% of suitable habitat in Merseyside, Surrey and Dorset has been lost.

Over the coming fortnight, starting today, coordinated releases will see them return to their former habitats, now that both the animals and their habitats are protected under wildlife law.

“It’s great to see them going back, now safely protected, where they belong.” said Nick Moulton of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, the wildlife organisation coordinating the lizard releases.

“We are constantly delighted that partnerships between wildlife organisations and land-owners can deliver such success, and often quickly.”

David Bullock, Head of Nature Conservation at the National Trust, said: "The return of sand lizards to this part of Surrey is a real success story allowing visitors to get closer to these special creatures. We've been able to create the right habitat conditions for this rarest of lizards to flourish and hopefully this can be replicated at sites across England and Wales."

Government wildlife agencies Natural England and Countryside Council for Wales are working in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation to make the lizard releases go smoothly at other sites in the UK.

Special permissions will see the lizards carefully released at five nature reserves overall, managed by the Countryside Council for Wales, Dorset Wildlife Trust, the Forestry Commission, the National Trust and Surrey Heath Borough Council.

At some of these release sites local schools and community groups will be invited to take part in special ‘release ceremonies’.

“These sand lizard releases are just one part of our 133 actions, which in partnership, will help us turn back the clock on amphibian and reptile declines in the UK.” said Dr Tony Gent, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation’s Joint Chief Executive.

The 133 point Action Plan for saving amphibians and reptiles has been put together by a partnership involving government bodies - the Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage - and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, a charity recently formed by the merger of charities Froglife and The Herpetological Conservation Trust.

“Today’s event demonstrates the wide variety of very active stakeholders and partners required to make actions count.” added Dr Gent. “We hope similar partnerships will be as effective for the other actions outlined in these combined Action Plans.”

The 133 actions to reverse declines in the UK’s reptiles and amphibians include: monitoring species’ distributions, enhancing volunteer networks, undertaking research, and encouraging land-owners to include features (like ponds or basking areas) to help amphibians and reptiles thrive. Some of the work is well underway, while other actions will take many years and additional funding to come to fruition.

Together the actions will help achieve the goals of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, a major initiative aiming to get everyone working together for threatened wildlife.

Dr Tom Tew, Chief Scientist for Natural England said: "Today’s release marks the next step in a recovery project to restore these fascinating creatures to their former range. Reptiles and amphibians are coming under pressure from an increasing number of factors including habitat loss, disease and a future of climate change."

"This important reintroduction programme is an example of the action that must be taken to reverse the decline in England’s biodiversity and to conserve the habitats that our unique wildlife relies upon."

Photo credit: Fred Holmes

Alarming decline of Britain’s ‘common’ reptiles and amphibians highlighted by new photographic field guide.

The author of a new field-guide has expressed alarm at the disappearance of amphibians and reptiles from many parts of the countryside, particularly those species once regarded as ‘common’.

Britain’s Reptiles and Amphibians, published by WILDguides, is the first photographic guide to all of the reptile and amphibian species found in Britain and Ireland and features almost 200 photographs of frogs, toads, newts, snakes, lizards, turtles and terrapins.

The guide includes several species whose name includes the word ‘common’, for example the common toad, common lizard and common frog.

“In researching the guide it became clear that the so-called ‘common’ species are now far from common.” said author Howard Inns.

“Species such as the common lizard have disappeared from many sites they once inhabited and many of the people who monitor common toad populations at traditional breeding ponds reported to me that their numbers have crashed in recent years.” he said.

“Common frogs fare well in garden ponds but they too have declined significantly in the wider countryside.”

The guide is a flagship publication for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, a newly formed charity resulting from the merger of Froglife and The Herpetological Conservation Trust.

Howard Inns, also Vice Chairman of Trustees for the charity, commented further: “The conservation efforts focussed on the rarer species of Britain’s reptiles and amphibians have been successful in recent decades.”

"The creation of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation means that more resource and expertise can be brought to bear on understanding why the more widespread species are in decline and preventing today’s ‘common’ species from becoming tomorrow’s rarities.”

The new field-guide Britain’s Reptiles and Amphibians, published by WILDguides, covers the 16 native reptiles and amphibians that breed in Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands and the 5 marine turtles that visit our seas.

As well as species’ distribution maps the book features introductory sections on their biology and conservation, taxonomy, distinctive life-cycles and the behaviour of each species group.

The field-guide also covers the 15 ‘exotic’ species introduced to the UK deliberately or accidently. In addition it features hints and tips on where, when and how to watch reptiles and amphibians in the wild.

Chris Packham, well known wildlife TV presenter, says of the book in his foreword: “When I flick through its pages I so wish I’d been armed with it when I first began sneaking up on snakes, netting for newts and lunging after lizards.”

To purchase a copy of Britain’s Reptiles and Amphibians for £15.00 (RRP £17.95) visit: www.wildguides.co.uk or visit: www.arc-trust.org/shop/books

Proceeds from sales support Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.

Funding lifeline for newts announced

A small grants scheme, available from September, is aiming to help people improve ponds and habitats for the UK’s great crested newts.

The money will contribute to a number of tasks that benefit great crested newts, such as pond creation schemes, pond management, survey work and local mapping studies.

Distributed by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, the money is available to a wide audience including councils, national parks and wildlife organisations and volunteer groups, including Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK). Schools and community groups are also encouraged to apply.

“Many great crested newt ponds are disappearing in the UK, so the local actions of volunteers and other experts in helping keep these ponds in tip-top condition for newts is really important.” said Dorothy Wright, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation’s Great Crested Newt Conservation Officer.

“The award is designed to help achieve the targets set out in the UK great crested newt Species Action Plan, which includes survey work and the creation and restoration of ponds and the newts’ terrestrial habitat.”

Groups or individuals can apply for funds typically up to £500. The scheme is supported by the Countryside Council for Wales and Natural England.

For more details on applying:

1. Introduction to the GCN grants scheme
2. Guidance for applicants
3. Application form

Find out more about the UK’s Species Action Plan for great crested newts > GCN SAP

Further awards for dragons

Dragons in your Garden, a campaign to encourage gardeners to take simple steps to help out the UK’s frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards, continues its tour around the UK.

This weekend saw Amphibian and Reptile Conservation’s ‘Dragon Garden’ appear at the British Birdwatching Fair in Rutland. The stand was awarded second prize at the show and thousands of people stopped by to find out more.

By providing free advice to gardeners about adding ponds, compost heaps, rockeries and bog gardens, conservationists from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation hope to see populations of ‘little dragons’ like smooth newts, slow-worms, and even grass snakes, flourish in urban areas where they may be scarce currently.

The Dragon’s Garden will next appear at the Dorset Show on the 5th and 6th of September 2009.

For more about the campaign, along with tips and ideas for your garden, visit: www.arc-trust.org/dragons

Dragons in your Garden is supported by a number of organisations including Scottish Natural Heritage, Herpetosure, Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK) and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

National stocktake: deadline looms…

The deadline for giving us your garden sightings of frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards is looming…

Earlier this year our national survey Reptiles and Amphibians in your Garden, in partnership with the BTO, brought together an army of amateur wildlife watchers including birdwatchers, gardeners, hands-on conservation volunteers and the general public.

There is still time to get involved! As the deadline looms, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation is urging those who received a survey pack to post their recording forms as soon as possible.

The results will contribute to knowledge of where frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards are found nationally and allow scientists a better insight to how important gardens are for their conservation. The results will also be used to understand how amphibian and reptile populations may be responding to a variety of threats, including habitat loss, disease and garden chemicals.

For more information – or to request a new pack email: enquiries@arc-trust.org

For more about Reptiles and Amphibians in your Garden visit: www.bto.org/gbw/herps/2009_survey