Newts Letter 40 Spring 2006

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Newtsletter 40 Spring 2006

From Henri:

I noticed that you have put in an excellent box saying 'send your records to SxBRC' but it would be good to have something on theback page as well as I reckon that is where people look when they are wondering what to do with their data.

Please could you reassure SARG that their data was used for 524 external enquiries last year as well as numerous on-screenenquiries by the County Councils and EA. It continues to be a very important aspect of our Protected Species Register reports. Wehave not yet, as previously discussed, sent any SARG data to the NBN Gateway. New records continue to come in from a range ofsources (thank you Barry Kemp) and SxBRC is managing to pretty much stay up to date with data imports as they arrive. The datafrom Southern Water has proved slightly more complex than previously considered as the dates had become confused in transit.This has now been cleared up between SW and SxBRC.

From the Chairman

Sussex Amphibian and Reptile update from 2005 and what to look out for in 2006

Spring 2005 Lasts years the migration was delayed by the snow we all saw in March stopping our

amphibian friend from venturing out too far which meant the migration was delayed and over in a flash(approx a week) unlike other year where it can run from mid January to March depending on our ever

changing climate. We also saw a noticeable increase in 2005 at the toad crossing we have in Sussex in

particular Littlington Nr Eastbourne and Offham Rd near Lewes this being a site where no toads had

crossed for many years and over the last two they have come are back in numbers that require fencing to

be put up along the road with collection buckets, we also found at other site particularly Newhaven and

one in Uckfield numbers have gone from strength to strength which is always good news as the numbers

we had been reporting in recent years had been rather poor.

This brings us nicely onto 2006 (fingers and toes are crossed its a good one) We have had various

sightings of frogs and newts already this year although with the cold weather we have had recently

30/1/06 we have had no real movement yet, although by the time you read this all could have changed asthe forecast for the end of the week is milder and wet, perfect conditions for amphibians. We have

several sites this year where help is needed which I have listed below giving details of what is required.

1) Wiston , West Sussex- This site is in fact a toad tunnel. West Sussex CC have asked if anyonewould be able to monitor this site as they and we would like to know how much activity is taking

place at the crossing.

2) Offham Road, East Sussex- Helpers required at the patrol with the collection of buckets andreleasing of toads.

3) Newhaven East Sussex Help needed by David Harris with manning the crossing4) Harland Farm , Uckfield East Sussex Help with the patrol- contact myself or Rita Silcock5)

Littlington East Sussex helpers needed at this site to co ordinate the crossing.

If you are able to help at any of these crossing please email me with your details along with which site

you can help at or phone me to discuss. Please remember that all patrols operate at night so you will need

to wear suitable clothing and have a good torch for your own security you should always operate in pairs.

As we know amphibian populations go through changes from year to year and therefore if you know of a

crossing that was active in the past please feel free to check and see what happening- please let me know

what you saw even if it was nothing.

Many thanks in advance for all your help

Jenny Bacon


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The literary herpetile

My eye was caught by the agitated movements of a reptile in the coarse heather next to my boot. I

stooped to get a better look and was puzzled that it made no attempt to escape. So I grabbed it and

found that I had been watching the wriggling tail of a Slow-worm. The rest of the animal had quietly

slithered away. The tail squirmed violently for a couple of minutes, then slowed down and eventually

became immobile about five minutes after I had picked it up.

Robert Burton in Through a naturalists eyes, British Wildlife magazine, Oct. 2005.

Spring in Thomas HardysReturn of the Native.

The pool outside the bank by Eustacia's dwelling, which seemed as dead and desolate as ever to an

observer who moved and made noises in his observation, would gradually disclose a state of great

animation when silently watched awhile. A timid animal world had come to life for the season. Little

tadpoles and efts began to bubble up through the water, and to race along beneath it; toads made noises

like very young ducks, and advanced to the margin in twos and threes; overhead, bumblebees flew

hither and thither in the thickening light, their drone coming and going like the sound of a gong.

Because one of my two sons became interested as child in amphibians (frogs and salamanders), I

have learned that most species of native amphibians have been exterminated from two-thirds of the

streams in Los Angeles county, as the result of the spread of three alien predators on amphibians (a

crayfish, bullfrog and mosquitofish) against which southern California amphibians are helpless because

they never evolved to avoid these threats.

Jared Diamond (2005). Collapse. How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive. Allen Lane, London

In brief

Zootoca?

Should we call the common lizard Zootoca vivipara rather than Lacerta vivipara as Howard Inns

does in his report on reptiles inBritish Wildlife for October 2005?

Toad shelters

Our enthusiasm for spying on our fellow human beings is at least matched by our interest in other

species. So it is hardly surprising that a profitable industry has grown up supplying seeds, feeders,

nesting boxes and shelters for birds, hedgehogs, toads, bats and even bumblebees.

(Toad shelters can, by the way, be obtained from )

Wild about Gardens

The Royal Horticultural Society and the Wildlife Trusts are urging people to build ponds as part of

their Wild about Gardens campaign. They specifically mention the great crested newt and say This

amphibian is more likely to be found in larger ponds, with a good area of planting or rough grassland

around it as it spends its time on land outside the breeding season. It needs a plentiful supply of

invertebrates. Gardens ponds are especially important for all amphibians, including smooth newts,

frogs and toads. Ponds are disappearing from the wider countryside.

Small surrounds


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An e-mail arrives concerning the new career of George Victor Westropp, the much-travelled former

communications partner at Deloitte & Touche and someone everyone over a certain age in the City will

remember fondly.

I had not heard from him since he became chairman of the Salmon & Trout Association Trust. This

sadly entailed an awful lot of fishing, I recall. But Westropp has a new career. I am now a newt

fencer, he tells me.

Blimey, I didnt even know newts could fence. Do you have to carry a handicap, what with being thatmuch bigger? Oh, I misunderstood. Youre in the deplorable trade in stolen newts? No, Westropp

insists that he runs Herpetosure, which provides fences to protect newts and other endangered species

at building sites.

Developers need permits these days confirming they are looking after the local wildlife, a business

worth 10 million a year. Its a job, I suppose.

Martin Waller in The Times, 26 January 2006

Blame tadpoles for hiccups

08 February 2003 NewScientist.com news service James Randerson

See library file

ARG UK & HGBI Coordinating PanelSee various papers

It seems that HGBI as we knew it is no more. HGBI has now been

replaced by ARG UK - with its own committee and constitution. I

suggest that each ARG await formal notification from Jan Clemons onthe new organisation and how ARGs will be expected to work with it.

Each ARG will then have to formally decide (presumably at committee

level) whether they will become affiliated to the new organisation.

One issue that does need some consideration is that it will now be

necessary to elect a new SE Regional Rep or consider whether one will

even be needed any longer. Although I am happy to continue to act as

a point of contact for Kent, Surrey and Sussex I no longer consider

myself HGBI SE Regional Rep. This may be something that needs

discussion at the forthcoming regional meeting.

Best wishes,

Lee Brady

New Zealand Pigmyweed. There is also a certain irony in using a New Zealand invented product to

deal with a New Zealand invading plant. See:


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http://www.conservationevidence.com/ViewEntry.asp?ID=126

Check out these photos of a snake caught on an

electric fence on a sheep and cattle station near the

NSW town of Nyngan. Some tourists on holidays

came across the snake caught in an electric fence,

being continually shocked, and getting very angry!

The group wondering what to do, decided to divert

the current, cut the wire AND let the snake go!

(Thinking this was the humane thing to do). When

the property owner found out he went ballistic.

Besides being upset about his fence, the snake had

been eating lambs in the area, and he'd been trying

to track it for ages. He did not appreciate the help!

Tith polonga

According to Mark OShea, author of Venomous Snakes of the World, the most dangerous species is

the Sri Lankan Russells viper,Dabola russelli, known as tith polonga in its native country where itkills as many as a thousand people a year. Part of the reason is that it is common around houses and in

paddy fields where many people work.

An antivenom specific to this snake has been developed in the UK, but it is expensive and not entirely

satisfactory and the University of Colombo is working on a cheaper and more effective version though,

sadly, they are short of the funds needed for this.

As many as 80,000 people a year worldwide die of snakebite but, because this is a dispersed problem

unlike an earthquake or a tsunami, the problem does not hit the headlines and attract the level of funds

required for the antivenom research that would help both people and snakes.

The British Herpetological THE HERPETOLOGICALSociety CONSERVATION TRUST

Joint Scientific Meeting:
http://www.conservationevidence.com/ViewEntry.asp?ID=126http://www.conservationevidence.com/ViewEntry.asp?ID=126http://www.conservationevidence.com/ViewEntry.asp?ID=126


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Herpetofauna ecology &conservation

Saturday 3 December 2005, 09.30-17.30Lecture Hall, Bournemouth Natural Science Society,

39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth

In memory of Michael R.K. Lambert, 1941-2004

An eclectic range of speakers will present current research on the biology, ecology,

surveillance and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. The aim is to promote research with

clear applications, and to encourage greater communication between researchers,

conservationists, consultants, NGOs, statutory agencies, land managers, decision-makers and

others, in directing research where it is needed most.

0930-1000 Registration, coffee1000-1005 Welcome address (Professor Trevor Beebee, BHS President and HCT Trustee)

1005-1030 Trenton Garner - The emergence ofBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the

UK: patterns of infection at focal sites and experimental examinations of risk

1030-1055 John Wilkinson - "When is a toad not a toad? Mysterious declining amphibians

of Jersey"

1055-1120 Richard Griffiths Captive breeding of amphibians: conservation or cosmetic

surgery?

1120-1200 Coffee

1205-1230 Arnold Cooke "Long term surveillance of amphibian populations"

1230-1320 Mark Waters "Foraging ecology of crayfish snakes (Regina): adaptations to an

extremely specialized diet"

1320-14.30 Lunch

1435-1500 Benedikt Schmidt "The use of site occupancy models for monitoring

amphibians and assessing red list status"

1500-1525 Aurlie Aubry "Breeding success of natterjack toad ( Bufo calamita)

populations in South West Ireland - an ecosystem approach"

1525-1550 Helen Fearnley Modelling sand lizard activity in relation to environmental

and temporal variables

1550-1630 Coffee

1635-1700 Richard Tinsley Feral populations ofXenopus in the UK

1700-1725 Chris Reading Ranging behaviour in the smooth snake, Coronella austriaca

Laurenti

1725-1730 Closing remarks

Registration including lunch and refreshments is 25 (7 to members/concessions). Spaces are limited to 100.

Send contact details with cheque payable to The Herpetological Conservation Trust, 655a Christchurch Road,

Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH1 4AP, UK.

The Bournemouth Natural Science Society venue (www.bnss.org.uk) is a treasure trove of natural history curiosities, withplenty of displays to peruse over tea and coffee. Bournemouth bus and train stations are 10-15 minutes walk away. The

venue is on a major bus route, and central Bournemouth, including the pier, beaches and gardens are only 20 minutes walk

away. There is limited parking at the venue, and free parking on streets nearby. We anticipate that Friday night will see the

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http://www.bnss.org.uk/http://www.bnss.org.uk/


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customary get-together for food, drinks and a chance to catch up with new and old friends. Contact Chris Gleed-Owen for

more details in due

course

(chris.go@herpcon

strust.org.uk).

Accommodation in

the East Cliff and

surrounding areasstarts at about 20

a night (ask for a

list). From the

venue, the clifftop

is about 10

minutes walk

away, with a panoramic view from the Isle of Wight to the Isle of Purbeck (weather-permitting!). From the clifftop its a

short walk down to the beach. The wonderful Russell-Coates Art Gallery and Museum is also close by on the clifftop;

admission is free and its open Tue-Sun.

ARG UK(The new name for the HGBI) - Revitalising the ARG network!

This conference aims to define the way forward for the voluntary Amphibian and Reptile Groups. To

enable us to make a greater contribution to herpetofauna conservation we need to encourage ARG

volunteers to join forces, build upon our strengths, share ideas and learn about opportunities. In this

way, the network will become larger, stronger and more effective.

Friday 3 February

Social evening (optional)

19.00 Dinner at Bangles Balti House, Far Gosford Street

Saturday 4 February

Morning

10.00 - 10.30 Registration and coffee

10.30 - 10.35 Welcome address and official launch of ARG UK

10.35 10.55 Jan Clemons Why we need an effective ARG network

11.15 11.35 Jon Cranfield How to build a successful ARG

11.35 11.50 John Baker Make the Adder Count

11.50 12.10 Chris Gleed-Owen/John Baker/Ruth Carey NARRS, a challenge for the

ARGs

12.10 12.30 David Orchard Some highlights of ARG achievements in the last year

12.30 - 13.30 Lunch (including fundraising raffle for ARG UK)

The ARG UK

Herpetofauna Workers Meeting

2006Friday 3 Sunday 5 February 2006

Coventry University Technocentre

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Afternoon

13.35 13.55 Jim Foster Reintroduction of the pool frog

13.55 14.15 Lee Brady How many great crested newt ponds are there in Kent?

14.15 14.35 David Sewell & Richard Griffiths Great crested newt populations: what

do torch counts and trap catches tell us?14.35 14.55 Brett Lewis & Richard Griffiths - Field assessment of great crested newt

mitigation projects

14.55 15.15 Jonathan Houghton Massive jellyfish blooms and leatherback turtle

foraging patterns in the Irish Sea

15.15 15.35 Coffee

15.40 16.00 Tim Halliday The Amphibian Conservation Summit, Washington DC,

17-19 Sept 2005: A Global Action Plan for amphibians

16.00 16.10 Chris Gleed-Owen Smooth snake and sand lizard population inventories

16.10 16.30 Warren Cresswell Measuring the success of reptile translocation projects

16.30 16.45 Jacqui Ward-Dyer Froglife two years on

16.45 17.00 Tony Gent A quick update on HCT activities and plans

Social evening (optional)19.30 Buffet reception at the Tam OShanter Burns Club, Hertford Place

20.00 Guest speaker: Mark OShea

21.00 Ask ARG UK - Have your questions ready for the panel of experts!

21.30 Drinks and socialising at the bar (venue hired until 00.30)

Sunday 5 February

Morning

10.00 - 11.00 Workshop/training session 1

11.00 - 12.00 Workshop/training session 2

12.00 - 13.00 Lunch

Afternoon

13.00 14.00 Workshop/training session 314.00 14.30 Workshop round-up

14.30 14.50 Review of the weekend, raffle draw, thanks and close

14.50 15.20 Coffee

[15.00 17.00 ARG UK national reps meeting]

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Workshop & training sessions: choose three from the followingoptions

1. Housekeeping for great crested newts, while not forgetting lizards, snakes, frogs and toads

(Froglife).

A conservation/science-focused workshop which aims to give participants a blueprint for

successfully managing reserves for great crested newts and other herpetofauna, whilst

balancing the needs of other species. Also an insight into the financial, legislative and

day-to-day pressures of managing an SAC on the urban fringe.

2. Designing and piloting NARRS: your chance to get involved (John Baker & Chris Gleed-

Owen).

Following a scoping exercise and consultation of the ARGs in 2005, the HCT is leading a

partnership including Froglife, ARG UK, EN, CCW and others to set up a National Amphibian & Reptile Recording Scheme. Spring 2006 will see the piloting of survey

protocols, administrative mechanisms etc, and this is your chance to get involved to

influence the schemes design before full roll-out in 2007.

3. Reptile survey design can we learn from the consultancy sector? (Tim Palmer & Jon

Cranfield)

Many of us have a good idea of what a reptile survey should entail, but producing a one-

size-fits-all prescription is fraught with difficulty. Ecological consultants often carry out

thorough and intensive reptile surveys for development planning. Can we learn from each

other in terms of good and bad practices, levels of effort, useful anecdotes and caveats?

4. Engaging with planners (Andy Glencross & Jim Foster)

Local authority planners and ecologists need accurate information and expert advice to

make informed decisions. ARGs are often key providers of information and advice aiming

to ensure that herps are given full consideration in the planning process. This training

workshop will explore how ARGs might best engage local planners, and maximise the

effectiveness of their relationships with local authority staff.

5. Developing the ARG UK website (Jon Cranfield)

Your chance to see how the ARG UK website is coming along, and an opportunity to feed

in ideas for its future development. Ideas currently include linking the website to all ARG

websites, and setting up an online species recording form.

Conference registration

ARG members: 30 for both days (including lunches and refreshments)

Others: 80 for both days (including lunches and refreshments)

Social evenings

Balti dinner (Friday): 12

Buffet and speaker (Saturday): 12

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Accommodation

Formula 1 Hotel: 25 per room per night (room only, up to 3 people)

Most accommodation nearby is full due to an NEC show, but we have booked all 76

remaining rooms at the Formula 1 hotel in Mile Lane next to the venue (02476 234560,

www.hotelformule1.com). We will allocate them on a first come first served basis. Formula 1hotels are simple, clean, modern, and incredibly good value. Rooms sleep up to three people

(a double bed and a single bed). They do not provide cooked breakfasts, but you can book

continental breakfasts on check-in. If you would prefer to stay somewhere else in Coventry,

you can phone the tourist information centre 02476 227264 or email [email protected].

This conference has been generously sponsored by:

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http://www.hotelformule1.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.hotelformule1.com/


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Venue details, getting there etc

The conference venue will be Coventry

Universitys state-of-the-art Technocentre

(http://www.cov.ac.uk/services-for-

business/conference-centre), located on PumaWay, within short walking distance of the city

centre and train station. Centrally located at

the heart of Britains motorway and rail

networks, the historic city of Coventry is

perhaps best known for Lady Godiva, the

disenchanted wife of Lord Leofric, whose

naked horseback ride was watched by Peeping

Tom. As a major industrial centre, Coventry

suffered heavily in the blitz of 1940, but it has

since reinvented itself as a thriving university

city. The Three Spires of Coventrys Medieval churches and ruined cathedral

contrast with Basil Spences famous cathedral

and the vibrant modern city that have grown

up around them.

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http://www.cov.ac.uk/services-for-business/conference-centrehttp://www.cov.ac.uk/services-for-business/conference-centrehttp://www.cov.ac.uk/services-for-business/conference-centrehttp://www.cov.ac.uk/services-for-business/conference-centre


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Registration

Conference registration

ARG members @ 30 for both days (including lunches and refreshments) No. of

places [ ]

Others @ 80 for both days (including lunches and refreshments) No. of

places [ ]

Special dietary requirements: Vegetarian [ ] Vegan [ ] Other

..

Please remember that ARG UK is a voluntary organisation with limited funds, and

this meeting relies upon the honest payment of appropriate registration fees.

Social evenings

Friday: Balti dinner @ 12 No. of

places [ ]

Saturday: Buffet dinner and speaker @ 12 No. of

places [ ]

Accommodation (Formula 1 hotel)

Friday night @ 25 per room No. of

rooms [ ]

Saturday night @ 25 per room No. of

rooms [ ]

Please make cheque payable to ARG UK. Total:

Workshops

Please select three out of the following list of workshops and training sessions:

1. Housekeeping for great crested newts, while not forgetting lizards, snakes, frogs [ ]and toads (Froglife).

2. Designing and piloting NARRS: your chance to get involved [ ]

(John Baker & Chris Gleed-Owen)

3. Reptile survey design can we learn from the consultancy sector? [ ]

(Tim Palmer & Jon Cranfield)

4. Engaging with planners (Andy Glencross & Jim Foster) [ ]

5. Developing the ARG UK website (Jon Cranfield) [ ]

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Your details

Name. Name of

ARG...Address

.

..

..Post

code.

Telephone.Mobile

.

Email

.

Please submit this form, withcheque payable to ARG UK, to: Chris Gleed-Owen,

The HCT, 655a Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH1 4AP.

Climate culprit for frog deathsBy Rebecca MorelleBBC News science reporter

The dramatic decline of some frog populations is directly connected to globalwarming, a new study claims.

The scientists looked at biodiversity hotspots in Central and South America, and foundcompelling links between frog extinctions and changes in temperature.

They believe the perfect conditions are being created for the spread of a fungus that isdeadly to amphibians.

The international team, reporting its findings in Nature magazine, says the impact onbiodiversity is "staggering".

Disease is the bullet killing frogs, but climate change is pullingthe triggerDr Alan Pounds, report author

Its research focused on the vividly coloured harlequin frogs ( Atelopus ) which are criticallyendangered.

Between the 1980s and 1990s, almost two-thirds of the 110 known species becameextinct, and a chytrid fungus ( Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ) has been suggested asthe prime suspect.

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The scientists compared the last known sightings of the frogs with recorded sea and airtemperatures, and discovered strong correlations.

They propose that climatic changes are leading to outbreaks of disease caused by thechytrid fungus.

Mountain habitat

The fate of amphibians has previously been connected with the chytrid fungus and climatechange, but scientists were puzzled because the fungus is known as a more effective killerat lower temperatures rather than the higher temperatures usually associated with globalwarming.

But scientists now believe they have unravelled the mystery.

General warming is causing extra cloud cover over the tropical mountains favoured by theharlequin frogs. This means cooler days locally and warmer nights, providing theconditions in which the chytrid fungus thrives.

This was further confirmed by the fact that species of frog that live at very high altitudeswhere temperatures are very cold, or very low altitudes where they are very hot, have amuch better chance of survival than the frogs that live half-way up the mountain.

"We have found evidence that global warming is causing widespread amphibian extinctionby triggering outbreaks of disease," said lead author Dr Alan Pounds.

"Night-time warming and day-time cooling means that you are producing conditions morefavourable for the fungus," the scientist from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve in

Costa Rica told the BBC News website.

He added: "We need to act quickly. Disease is the bullet killing frogs, but climate change is

pulling the trigger. The bottom line is that we've got to move to cleaner energy sources."

'Critical' need

The chytrid fungus is found throughout the world, possibly carried by invasive species suchas bull frogs.

The fungus clings to the skins of amphibians, causing a disease called chytridiomycosis. Ithas been implicated in the extinctions of many species of amphibians; although how itactually kills them is unknown.

A summit was recently held in Washington DC to discuss how to curb the global decline inamphibians; nearly a third now face extinction.

AMP HIBIANS: THE ASSESSMENT

Delegates said a better understanding of how the fungus spread and killed amphibians wascritical.

Dr Trent Garner, a research fellow at the Institute of Zoology, UK, told BBC News: "This(latest) study is significant and it generates a theory that we can now test experimentally.

"This fungus is causing species declines throughout the world and dealing with this diseaseemergence requires a serious research commitment.

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"Climate change is a global phenomenon, and is causing changes in ecosystems aroundthe world. I would imagine that there are other places, such as Australia or North America,where climate change is leading to conditions that either aid chytrid growth orimmunosuppresses amphibians."

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4602116.stm

Published: 2006/01/11 18:21:20 GMT

BBC MMVI

1. Chailey Common. Three surveyors, 46 visits from 26.03 to 12.11.05.

51 adders ( max. 10 on 9th Aug. ), first seen 26th March, last on 09th Oct.;

9 Grass Snakes;

24 Slow - worms;

60 + Common Lizards, last seen on 12th November ( also juvenile seen 21st January 2006 in 20 degree sunshine

)

Also found one toadlet under a tin.

2. Appeal for new committee members and committee post holders.

SARG NEEDS YOU! ( A Kitchener - style appeal?! )

A few committee members wish to either stand down or reorganise their posts this year. The following positions

will / may become vacant:-

Secretary, Minutes Secretary, Events Organiser, Treasurer, Chairman.

We would therefore wish to see as many members as possible putting their names forward to carry on

the vital and important work that the organisation has been involved in over 20 years to safeguard andimprove the distribution and natural habitats of Sussexs native herpetofauna. We know you can help,

so please complete the attached slip and return to the Secretary, David Harris, at 7, Gibbon Road,

Newhaven, East Sussex BN9 9EW before 20th May. Anyone interested in attending a committee

meeting in advance of volunteering their services is very welcome to do so. Please contact David on

01273 515762 for further details

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Documents

Newts Letter 40 Spring 2006