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Category: News
Forum Name: Latest News
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URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=951
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Topic: Seen an interesting news item?
Posted By: administrator
Subject: Seen an interesting news item?
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2005 at 1:35pm

If you see a newspaper article or a link to a web story that would be of interest to those who visit RAUK, we can seek copyright permissions to reproduce them. For newspaper articles we need to know the name of the publication and date the article appeared (the publisher is useful also).

Please do not cut & paste articles or otherwise reproduce articles in this forum unless you have the express permission of the copyright holder to do so.

(Links to articles on other web sites are fine)

 

 




Replies:
Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2005 at 6:39am

 

I have found a BBC article relating to Agile Frogs in Jersey - I wonder if the agile frog pictured had an off day with all those warts?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/jersey/4673745.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/jersey/4673745.stm

I am not sure if they have put a correction on this story I did have a chuckle at this

Jon



Posted By: administrator
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2005 at 6:42am
That is the standard beeb web site amphibian piccy.. I've seen it loads of times. If you drop them an email they will change it to something more appropriate like a common frog or something.


Posted By: jpr1981
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2006 at 4:29am

Check out this link to a news article from a South Wales Newspaper - where it mentions that the presence of Adders in a grass verge was amongst the reasons for cutting the habitat back. Unbelievable!

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=17179300%26method=full%26siteid=50082-name_page.html - http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objecti d=17179300%26method=full%26siteid=50082-name_page.html

James Reed



Posted By: Vicar
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2006 at 8:42am

Interesting link.

"the council has a snake patrol."

I wonder what this means! Relocation at best I guess.



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Steve Langham - Chairman     mailto:steve@surrey-arg.org.uk">
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group


Posted By: administrator
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2006 at 4:36pm
Does make you wonder exactly what is involved in the council snake patrol doesn't it!


Posted By: benowz
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2006 at 11:46am

Link to article on supposed snake bite incident in the middle of leicester:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/4795409.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/4795409.st m



Posted By: Chris Monk
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2006 at 4:56pm
We had one of these incidents a couple of years ago at a Country Park in Derbyshire, where we know there are grass snakes. The dog fought something unseen by its owner in the scrub & long grass and was taken to the vet who pronounced it had been bitten (both on its face and its behind!) by an adder. The dog died within a day and there was a campaign by local residents in the local newspaper for the Council to "do something" about the poisonous snakes in the park. We did nothing about the non-existent poisonous snakes as I suspect the dog died from blood poisoning/toxic shock from being bitten by a much more likely animal in the vicinity such as mink or rat. The local paper tried to resurrect the story last summer but never ran it after coming to the Council for a press statement. This may be due to the fact that I advised the press office on what to say (once I had realised that the press officer thought that vipers and adders were two different types of snake!). Only concern was wondering how many innocent grass snakes were battered to death in the area in the mistaken belief that they were adders after the initial campaign and press articles.

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Chris

Derbyshire Amphibian & Reptile Group

www.derbyshirearg.co.uk



Posted By: lalchitri
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2006 at 8:27am
small article on the common frog on page 29 of todays (sat 16 sep) times with a nice pic also.
talks about the increase of redleg this year due to the dry weather.
can i scan it and post it here?


Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2006 at 12:26pm

 

Very interesting...... any comments on the story

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2360022.html - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2360022.html

JC

 



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Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://recordpool.org.uk" rel="nofollow - http://arguk.org/recording


Posted By: lalchitri
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2006 at 10:25am
again from the times.
8 new species of frog, as well as lizards and snakes, discovered in a remote part of the amazon rainforest!


link http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2381706,00.html - here



Posted By: lalchitri
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2006 at 2:25pm

Birds get taste for tadpoles as summer heat keeps worms under ground


link http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2387628,00.html - here

several times this year i noticed water splashes indicative of some sort of disturbance around the edge of my pond.
on closer inspection there was often half a dozen or so tadpoles lying on the ground close to the pond.
some were still alive, some dead and some had their innards hanging out.
i eventually did the same as was mentioned in the article (i.e. cover the pond with netting) which seemed to put a stop to the problem.
i guess the above article might explain a lot about what was previously a mystery for me.



Posted By: lalchitri
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2006 at 2:27pm
frogs seem to be in fashion at the moment over at the times.
thats the third frog-related article in just over two weeks.


Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2006 at 4:41pm
I had a blackbird, or maybe several, taking a few tadpoles from my pond in spring and early summer. The birds had sipped water from the pond during winter and as spring progressed I guess they spotted the tadpoles round the edge. I have a preformed pond, so the birds can't wade in as the sides are too steep, but I used to see blackbirds at the edge making quick stabbing movements rather than sipping water and I think they were getting tadpoles. My brother who has large wildlife ponds says blackbirds and robins are the main ones doing this (he is in Yorkshire). I'm in Devon. There were only occasional visits and I don't think overall they made much impact on the taddie numbers. Certainly I didn't think it worth netting the pond. My neighbour has a butyl liner pond with a shelving beach and there were often wood pigeons or collared doves in the water at taddie time so not sure if they were after them or just having a drink and bath.

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Suz


Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2006 at 3:39pm
Originally posted by lalchitri lalchitri wrote:

Birds get taste for tadpoles as summer heat keeps worms under ground

Same story, but with a bit more detail

http://www.bto.org/news/news2006/sept-oct/blackbirds_newts_tadpoles.htm - http://www.bto.org/news/news2006/sept-oct/blackbirds_newts_t adpoles.htm

Matt



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BRAG - Berkshire Reptile & Amphibian Group


Posted By: Peter Vaughan
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2006 at 6:24pm

I've just been in Cumbria for a couple of days, where I saw this letter in a local newspaper, from the owners of Brownrigg SSI in response to the news of a dog (off the lead) being bitten by an Adder at the site.   A good, clear message I thought.  http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/opinion/viewarticle.aspx?id=421350 - http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/opinion/viewarticle.aspx?id=421 350

Peter



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Peter Vaughan


Posted By: lalchitri
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2006 at 6:55am
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2449387.html - save a newt for just ú20,000 again from the times


Posted By: Robert V
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2007 at 1:26am

Hi all,

Anyone know about a heath fire that I heard on the news last night at Chobham in Surrey?

Isnt that one of your old stomping grounds Tony?? I seem to remember Al being down there recently as well?

Rob



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RobV


Posted By: Huddy
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2007 at 3:48pm
Originally posted by Peter Vaughan Peter Vaughan wrote:

I've just been in Cumbria for a couple of days, where I saw this letter in a local newspaper, from the owners of Brownrigg SSI in response to the news of a dog (off the lead) being bitten by an Adder at the site.   A good, clear message I thought.  http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/opinion/viewarticle.aspx?id=421350 - http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/opinion/viewarticle.aspx?id=421 350

Peter



Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2007 at 4:56pm

"Britain's last remaining poisonous snake"

Did I miss another one recently?



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Suz


Posted By: administrator
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2007 at 5:02pm

Venomous... venomous... VENOMOUS LOL one of my pet hates

The warden at my local reserve thinks adder numbers go up and down each season with the weather, he does tend to say things like 'its been a good year for adder' as if the numbers suddenly increased over night.



Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 01 May 2007 at 7:52am

Saw this one on slow worms:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6610595.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6610595.stm



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Suz


Posted By: Ewan
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 8:50am
Blimey, toad at 100m depth in Loch Ness:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6618995.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/66 18995.stm

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Ewan Shilland
Contract Research Scientist
Environmental Change Research Centre
University College London


Posted By: lalchitri
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2007 at 5:13am
Python swallows goat
But dies soon after
Nishikant Dwivedi
Tribune News Service

Bahadurpur (Yamunanagar), September 23
Thousands of people of Bilaspur block witnessed what most people watch on Discovery or National Geographic television channels. It was the rarest of rare sites.

A 20-foot Indian python had squeezed the life out of a 40-kg domestic goat and was swallowing it in the Sunderpur-Bahadhur jungles here.

By this evening, the whole goat was swallowed and the reptile had disappeared in the jungles.

The jungles have a heavy growth and thus it is very difficult to venture in.

However, several kutcha tracks were created in the jungles with the movement of thousands people, including women and children who went in the woods to catch a glimpse of the snake and goat. The jungles are about 3 km from Bahadurpur village.

Sources in the Wildlife Department said the reptile died this afternoon. It was suspected that the death took place because the ôprey was too big and the goatÆs horn turned out to be fatalö for the snake.

Another official said the reptile died because people disturbed him and he could swallow the goat. The snake was buried in the ground.

It all started last afternoon.

Like any other day, shepherd Sileman of Sundepur village had taken his goats to the jungles. One of the goat strayed. He never knew a python, about 20-foot, was lying in waiting. He went in the search of his goat. And to his horror, he saw the fearsome python with a light and dark patterned skin struggling to engulf his goat. ôIt grabbed the goat with a quick lash of itÆs head and wrapped itself around the goat and squeezed the life out of the goat,ö recalled Sileman and added, ôMy goat was dead and the azgar (python) started swallowing the goat from the head.ö

By this morning, the news spread. Everyone wanted to see it. ôWomen too did not want to be left behind and they turned in large numbers to see the pythonö, said Akram, a villager.

Villagers said about 35 or 40 years ago, a python had killed several small domestic animals in the Kathgarh area.

Sources in the Wildlife Department said pythons (a nocturnal creature) drape across tree branches, camouflaged by their skin, wait to ambush their next meal. A large python could squeeze the life out of a deer and could then swallow it whole. ôPythons rarely attack humans but they are capable of doing the same,ö said an official.

A python may live more than 20 years.

As per a website pathons are solitary creatures, but males and females seek each other out to mate. The female coils about her eggs to incubate them. Young pythons have many natural enemies, including eagles, crocodiles, large cats such as leopards and tigers, and hyenas.

Causes of endangerment of the species include their killing. Humans had been killing pythons out of fear, for food, skins and blood believed to have medical values and of course the on the account of habitat loss.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/">

A 20-foot python trying to swallow a 40-kg goat on Sunday which it had preyed on Saturday in the jungles of Sunderpur-Bahadurpur in Yamunanagar. The snake, however, died on Sunday. ù A Tribune photograph

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Reformed Teetotaller


Posted By: AGILIS
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2007 at 6:12am

   Hi all snip in todays East Anglian Daily times  keith



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   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID


Posted By: lalchitri
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2007 at 3:38am

Eco-friendly legless amphibian discovered

New Delhi, November 25
Zoologists claimed to have discovered a new species of legless amphibian in northern Karnataka which vacates its marshy habitat at the slightest hint of pollution.

Two independent researchers, who teamed up with scientists from the Zoological Survey of India, came across the unique species at the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary which falls in the biodiversity-rich western Ghats region.

ôIt is commonly known as a two-headed snake but a closer look brings out the ringed nature of the amphibian creature,öGopalkrishna Bhatta, an independent researcher, told PTI from Shimoga in Karnataka.

K P Dinesh of the Zoological Survey of India, P Prashanth of the Agumbe Rain forest Research Station and Goa-based independent researcher, Nirmal Kulkarni, took part in the study.

ôWe recently collected three specimens resembling each other which fit the generic diagnosis for genus Gegeneophis, but which differ from all known species,ö they said in æCurrent ScienceÆ.

A new species of caecilian, a legless amphibian, has been named Gegeneophis mhadeiensis. It is described on the basis of three specimens collected from the surroundings of Rameshwar temple in Chorla village of Belgaum district. The locality is situated adjacent to the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary.

The creature feeds in earthworms and other decaying material and helps enriching the soil, Bhatta said.

With 10 named species, Gegenophis is now one of the most diverse caecilian genera that reaffirms the sensitivity of the locality as a biodiversity hotspot.

G mhadeiensis, the zoological name of the species, can also be used as a bio-indicator for the region. ôThis species vacates the place of its stay the moment it begins to get polluted,ö Bhatta said. The very presence of this species in an area signifies the rich organic content of the locality. ù PTI



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Reformed Teetotaller


Posted By: Donny
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2008 at 11:51am
This is not going to further the cause of worldwide amphibian conservation, but it does feature one of the most content pet frogs I have ever seen:

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000004780 - http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=00000047 80




Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: 20 May 2008 at 3:18am

Found this this morning,

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7404536.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7404536.stm



Posted By: Vicar
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2008 at 8:13am

'worst reaction ever seen' from deadly adder bite


How nice to see the press not over-reacting as usual

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1039617/Girl-10-hospital-days-suffering-worst-reaction-seen-deadly-adder-bite.html - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1039617/Girl-10-hosp ital-days-suffering-worst-reaction-seen-deadly-adder-bite.ht ml



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Steve Langham - Chairman     mailto:steve@surrey-arg.org.uk">
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group


Posted By: administrator
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2008 at 4:50pm

Originally posted by armata armata wrote:


Where do they get the info re venom being strongest in the spring, I don't think that there is any evidence to support this.

This information has appeared in the press a number of times. I think the source was a statement made by a veterinarian who had made a link between a higher canine fatality rate in the spring from adder bite. I think this might even be published on the web if anybody can find it.

I suspect there are simply more bites in the spring due to adders lying out and getting surprised by dogs - though if it is a case that there are a greater number of a fatilities for the number of bites presented in the spring there could be something in it.

I wonder if Wolfgang could enlighten us as to whether there is any biological evidence to support the observation that the venom would be more potent after hibernation?



Posted By: AGILIS
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2008 at 12:56pm
HI MY SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO THE YOUNG GIRL BITTEN BY AN ADDER  IN THE BOURNMOUTH  AREA BUT THIS  SORT OF INCIDENT WILL HAPPEN MORE AND MORE AS PEOPLE USE THE NATURAL HEATHLAND AS RECREATION FUN PLAY GROUNDS DUE TO EASY ACCESS BOUGHT ON  BY THE CAR AS TRANSPORTATION TO ONCE INACCESSABLE HEATHS THAT  COULD ONLY BE GOT TO ON FOOT BY THE STALWART FEW. AND THE LACK OF EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC AS TO WHAT IS DANGEROUSE AND SAFE . ALMOST LIKE SWIMMING WITH SHARKS VERY TRENDY FOR TV PROGRAMS AND IN THE JUNGLE GET ME OUT OF HERE  UNTIL A TIGER KILLS SOME ONE THEN ITS  A BAD PRESS FOR ADDERS  SHARKS TIGERS KILL THEM ALL OUTCRY.. EVERY TIME THERE IS AN AVALANCHE KILLING SKIERS  DO YOU BLAME THE MOUNTAIN AND WANT THEM ALL FLATTENEDKEITH

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   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID


Posted By: cheesy toes6
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2008 at 6:52am
Originally posted by GemmaJF GemmaJF wrote:

That is the standard beeb web site amphibian piccy.. I've seen it loads of times. If you drop them an email they will change it to something more appropriate like a common frog or something.


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lwww


Posted By: Vicar
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2008 at 5:41pm


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Steve Langham - Chairman     mailto:steve@surrey-arg.org.uk">
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group


Posted By: Chris Monk
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2008 at 9:42am
A news item seen last week in the Eastbourne Herald.  An article about adders where there is sensible advice from an expert.
http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Two-blackberry-picker s-meet-adder.4437309.jp


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Chris

Derbyshire Amphibian & Reptile Group

www.derbyshirearg.co.uk



Posted By: Vicar
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2008 at 4:30am
Oh dear...

Well, if they are poisonous...you shouldn't eat them :P

At least they balanced the article with some semi-sensible advice, as you said.


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Steve Langham - Chairman     mailto:steve@surrey-arg.org.uk">
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group


Posted By: Vicar
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2008 at 7:08am
Pupils from six Poole schools paved the coastal cliff-top path in Pinecliff Gardens, Poole, with a donation of CEMEX Readypave block paving, making it accessible by wheelchair users.

Each school took a section of the 120m path and decorated with a design representing British reptiles.

The schools could select the colour of block paving they required to enhance their designs which were supplied through Keyline's Poole branch.

These included charcoal, red, wheatmeal, Autumn Hue and Burnt Ember to provide the backdrop to designs including 'snake amongst flowers' and 'lizards'.



Article from a trade concrete magazine (don't ask!) - supplied by Richard Barnes.


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Steve Langham - Chairman     mailto:steve@surrey-arg.org.uk">
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group


Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2008 at 12:27pm

tim



Posted By: Dave1812
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2008 at 11:58am
Found this on a frog -
http://www.chesterzoo.org/Home/News/September%202008/Rare%20 Frog%20Find.aspx

(is the Hyperlink button working?)





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mailto:field.herper@outlook.com" rel="nofollow - David Hind

D&G ARG
ARC - Natterjack Toad Monitor


Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2008 at 12:42pm

 

Here Dave try this

http://www.chesterzoo.org/Home/News/September%202008/Rare%20Frog%20Find.aspx - http://www.chesterzoo.org/Home/News/September%202008/Rare%20 Frog%20Find.aspx



Posted By: superdart
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 3:35pm
 Great news and no fungal infection.


Posted By: pobblebonk
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2008 at 1:09pm

On the subject of fungal infections (hey, I had to lead into the plug somehow!), after the usual trial and error, banging things together until they fit and so forth, I've produced and put the latest news article is up on the homepage - I hope to be a bit more active around here (and checking this thread for news!), but I make no promises! Hope to make it to the symposium in November and to see some of you guys there.

Phil



Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2008 at 11:22am
Originally posted by pobblebonk pobblebonk wrote:

On the subject of fungal infections

"Big Snip"

Phil

Going back a short while but still 

http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2639&PN=2 - http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2639 &PN=2



Posted By: Dave1812
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2008 at 12:18pm
Found this on my home page.


http://uk.news.yahoo.com/skynews/20081002/tuk-gardener-s-17f t-snake-shock-45dbed5.html




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mailto:field.herper@outlook.com" rel="nofollow - David Hind

D&G ARG
ARC - Natterjack Toad Monitor


Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2008 at 1:52pm
Dave, I just tried the link and it says it is no longer available.

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Suz


Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2008 at 2:31pm

try this

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/skynews/20081002/tuk-gardener-s-17ft-snake-shock-45dbed5.html - http://uk.news.yahoo.com/skynews/20081002/tuk-gardener-s-17f t-snake-shock-45dbed5.html

tim



Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2008 at 2:44pm
Yep that works. What a shock for the person!

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Suz


Posted By: Vicar
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2008 at 5:30am

Climate link to amphibian decline


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7693381.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7693381.stm



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Steve Langham - Chairman     mailto:steve@surrey-arg.org.uk">
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group


Posted By: Vicar
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2008 at 6:42pm
Compost madness!!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/education/3242800/Schools-face-50-charge-for-composting.html - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/educatio n/3242800/Schools-face-50-charge-for-composting.html


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Steve Langham - Chairman     mailto:steve@surrey-arg.org.uk">
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group


Posted By: AGILIS
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2008 at 3:25am
After reading the article on school compost licencing, that Steve supplied no wonder this country is in recession with all this pathetic pc health and safety regulations, Keith

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   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID


Posted By: pobblebonk
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2008 at 7:47am

Hi all,

Still alive, despite appearances! News well seems to be running a little dry recently, so if anyone's got any items they'd like to see grace the front page enlivened by my flair for journalism, drop me a line at mailto:philipbowles2003@yahoo.co.uk - philipbowles2003@yahoo.co.uk . Reptile news especially appreciated; I've been displaying a definite froggy bias with my news articles!

Thanks,

Phil



Posted By: Dave1812
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2008 at 1:14pm
Seen this today - http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20081215/tsc-more-than-1-000-species-discovered-i-c2ff8aa.html - http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20081215/tsc-more-than-1-000-spe cies-discovered-i-c2ff8aa.html

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mailto:field.herper@outlook.com" rel="nofollow - David Hind

D&G ARG
ARC - Natterjack Toad Monitor


Posted By: superdart
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2008 at 6:06pm
That was a bit of very welcome news Dave1812...................


Posted By: Dave1812
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2008 at 1:05pm
The cost on newts - Money well spent?

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/4003729.Newts_cost _Lancashire_taxpayers___165_000/

I think so!

(Gemma/Mod) I'm having trouble with the hyper link, Do you cut and paste the URL, and then confirm it, as it will not work for me though it has in the past)



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mailto:field.herper@outlook.com" rel="nofollow - David Hind

D&G ARG
ARC - Natterjack Toad Monitor


Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2008 at 2:00pm

ú165,000 is a mere drop in the ocean in the scale of things. You only have to read the amounts that are spent on half-baked schemes in education, NHS etc.

Spread over a number of places in Lancs the amount seems even more insignificant.

 



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Suz


Posted By: pobblebonk
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2009 at 12:08pm

Hi guys,

Latest news article is now online. Stay tuned for highlights from the Herp Workers' Meeting - coming soon!

Phil



Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2009 at 3:29am

It would be nice to have a news story rather than the advice to float balls in iced ponds......

The Herp Workers Meeting was excellent by the way!

 



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Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://recordpool.org.uk" rel="nofollow - http://arguk.org/recording


Posted By: Vicar
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2009 at 3:44am
I think its good and topical advice for the wider audience that RAUK attracts.

One problem with the approach though....you may get frogs using the ball in ways you hadn't expected!

http://www.webalice.it/edmtromb/blog/football.jpg - http://www.webalice.it/edmtromb/blog/football.jpg




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Steve Langham - Chairman     mailto:steve@surrey-arg.org.uk">
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group


Posted By: pobblebonk
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2009 at 4:04am
Originally posted by herpetologic2 herpetologic2 wrote:

It would be nice to have a news story rather than the advice to float balls in iced ponds......

Hey, thanks Jon.  News-lite time until the weather breaks - I'm working with the best Jules gave me here!

Phil



Posted By: pobblebonk
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2009 at 12:39pm

Some real news this time, guys - happy, Jon?

Phil



Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2009 at 5:58pm
Is it real news though that is the question?

I think that my toad crossing will see some activity
this week.....

Jon

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Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://recordpool.org.uk" rel="nofollow - http://arguk.org/recording


Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2009 at 5:56am
Hi Dave

The last link isn't working perhaps there's a use for
all those squashed toads after all.

The black market of toad skin and entrails for your
discerning crack smoker!

J

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Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://recordpool.org.uk" rel="nofollow - http://arguk.org/recording


Posted By: Alex2
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 8:24am

Originally posted by Caleb Caleb wrote:

This is the second link:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-to-Drug-With-Toad-Venom-73246.shtml - http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-to-Drug-With-Toad-Venom-7 3246.shtml

No offence to Dave, but it's mostly nonsense, and I'm not sure the Iran one makes much more sense.

The only substance in toad venom that's 100% sure to be hallucinogenic/psychedelic is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-meo-dmt - 5-methoxy-DMT , and as I understand it, this has so far only been found in Bufo alvarius, the Colorado River Toad.

This species is certainly traded among a few drug users in America, but given that one experienced user likened the effects to "like having a large elephant sit on one's head", it seems unlikely to become particularly popular.

I may well be wrong Caleb but i have a feeling 5-methoxy-DMT has also been found in a species of S.American frog Phyllomedusa sauvagei, more commonly known as the Chacoan or Painted waxy monkey frog. Nevertheless, it's hallucinogenic properties are well known to the locals apparently.



Posted By: pobblebonk
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2009 at 9:38am

Hi guys,

You know how it is - wait for ages for a news story, and then two come at once! The latest news page update asks people to get involved with the Reptiles and Amphibians in Your Garden survey - hope to get you all involved! Also a short piece on the planned HCT/Froglife merger.

Enjoy!

Phil



Posted By: Alex2
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2009 at 2:40pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7981983.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7981983.stm

Reference to Sand lizards.



Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2009 at 3:37pm
well goats really

J

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Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://recordpool.org.uk" rel="nofollow - http://arguk.org/recording


Posted By: will
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2009 at 7:58am
Wednesday, 29 April 2009

Postman bitten by pillar box snake

Postman bitten by pillar box snake
A postman has spoken of his shock at being bitten by a snake which was hidden inside a pillar box.
Alan Wakley put his hand in to empty the box at Brean Cove, Somerset, and was bitten by an adder, which he then threw off into the nearby long grass.
The 58-year-old, from Berrow, Somerset, who suffered a puncture wound to the back of his hand, simply sucked the poison from the wound and chose not to attend hospital.
 
 
- makes a change from postmen being bitten by a dog; poor snake though...


Posted By: lalchitri
Date Posted: 04 May 2009 at 4:08am
Originally posted by will will wrote:

Wednesday, 29 April 2009

Postman bitten by pillar box snake

Postman bitten by pillar box snake
A postman has spoken of his shock at being bitten by a snake which was hidden inside a pillar box.
Alan Wakley put his hand in to empty the box at Brean Cove, Somerset, and was bitten by an adder, which he then threw off into the nearby long grass.
The 58-year-old, from Berrow, Somerset, who suffered a puncture wound to the back of his hand, simply sucked the poison from the wound and chose not to attend hospital.
 
 
- makes a change from postmen being bitten by a dog; poor snake though...


alan should consider himself lucky
worse things can happen........

Snake enters drunken manÆs stomach
JAMMU, Apr 24: In a bizarre incident, a three-foot-long snake entered into the stomach of a drunken man who was lying unconscious with open mouth on a city roadside here.

Ashwani Kumar, had a heavy dose of liquor and fell unconscious near a slum in Bakshi Nagar area and a snake entered into his stomach from his open mouth.

Only the tail was visible, which the onlookers noticed and informed his relatives residing in the nearby locality.

Panicked relatives pulled out the snake from its tail. However, the snake had died inside the drunken man.

Ashwani Kumar was immediately shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, for treatment yesterday but was discharged after brief observation, sources said.

The incident has become the talk of the town.


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Reformed Teetotaller


Posted By: Alex2
Date Posted: 05 May 2009 at 7:09pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8034859.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8034859.stm

I hope, if guilty, they throw the book at them, kids or not. 



Posted By: Alex2
Date Posted: 06 May 2009 at 3:31pm

Originally posted by David Bird David Bird wrote:

Get them to attend conservation tasks for a couple of years at weekends, that will soon get around that there will be a punishment that keeps them from doing what they want.

I don't think he's involved with those kinds of tasks anymore Dave!.

At 15 years of age they know exactly what they're doing and i'm sure all the publicity about other heath fires recently has made one or two think 'That sounds like fun'. The police, and more importantly parents, need to get alot tougher (on many levels)....there's only so many times they can have fun with our rapidly dissapearing heathland. Makes me furious.

Hope you well and see you soon

Alex



Posted By: Alex2
Date Posted: 06 May 2009 at 3:42pm

This is starting to take the p1ss now...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8035305.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8035305.stm



Posted By: Alex2
Date Posted: 06 May 2009 at 4:46pm

Originally posted by armata armata wrote:

Be interesting if the CPS take this seriously at last.

Sadly Tony, i doubt it very much. They desperately need to make an example though, like yesterday. Only so many times this can happen.

The thought of wet weather over the next few weeks now strongly appeals to me. One can hope.....



Posted By: Alex2
Date Posted: 11 May 2009 at 2:47pm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8043416.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8043416.stm


Posted By: Alex2
Date Posted: 12 May 2009 at 8:02am

Yet again......................

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8045176.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8045176.stm



Posted By: Chris Monk
Date Posted: 14 May 2009 at 6:29pm
Perhaps this thread should be re-named "Seen a depressing news item" ??

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Chris

Derbyshire Amphibian & Reptile Group

www.derbyshirearg.co.uk



Posted By: Hawley
Date Posted: 15 May 2009 at 5:09am

Here's a more upbeat news item, from The One Show last night:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kftdw - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kftdw



Posted By: AGILIS
Date Posted: 16 May 2009 at 6:37am
I See it the other night

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   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID


Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 16 May 2009 at 3:24pm
I've stopped posting heathfire links as there seem to be so many. This year I've seen two that are burnt and I actually think it's a new (to here) management method. The two are areas of tussock grass which some of you here might confirm is something that is burnt deliberately. I feel it is deliberate as one area is not by a path and on a not much walked heath. I'm not certain when the burning was done.

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Suz


Posted By: tim-f
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2009 at 7:00pm

Smuggler ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8326669.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8326669.stm



Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2010 at 9:25pm

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18720-close-call-with-death-leaves-its-mark-on-dna.html - http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18720-close-call-with- death-leaves-its-mark-on-dna.html

tim



Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2010 at 3:21pm
Makes you wonder why Australians are studying our wild
lizards?

J

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Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://recordpool.org.uk" rel="nofollow - http://arguk.org/recording


Posted By: Peter Vaughan
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2010 at 9:56pm

Jon -

Saw your appearance on Countryfile on Sunday primetime TV - good one!

Peter



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Peter Vaughan


Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2010 at 5:05pm
Okay my mistake -

J

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Report your sightings to the Record Pool http://recordpool.org.uk" rel="nofollow - http://arguk.org/recording


Posted By: Paul Ford
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2010 at 8:18am

Snakes in mysterious global decline...

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8727863.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8727863.stm



Posted By: Liz Heard
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2010 at 7:54pm
i havent read all 10 pages of this post so this may have come up already. if so, apologies for laziness.

on page 41 of june BBC WILDLIFE they report that newts are attracted to torchlight.

what species is that then Dom?


Posted By: Liz Heard
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 2:58pm
hi gemma. ive spotted a recent newpaper article that fits your original posts description should you wish to seek permission to show it. im sure members would be interested (and horrified) to read it. its not the developer killing GCNs this time. though thats certainly not a welcome change obviously.
i cant fathom the defendants thinking at all.

the headline reads;

LAND ROW MAN KILLS NEWTS WITH HAMMER.

by chris campbell
chris.campbell@glosmedia.co.uk

page 2 of THE CITIZEN (GLOS). wed june 30 2010

on the back page of the issue it says;

"for permission to copy cuttings contact the NLA, 7 church road, tunbridge wells. TN1 1NL. tel 01892 525273.
email copy@nla.co.uk

hope this helps.

ben


Posted By: will
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 3:24pm

is this the same guy that was in the National papers yesterday, who killed 3 GCN dliberately and sent them in the post to Natural England in protest at the loss of newt habitat adjacent to his land ?  apparently he is retired, and has a pond in his garden with 500 GCN according to the article.  I think he got a slapped wrist.  Whilst we might sympathise with his feelings about the development, it seems like a sledgehammer to crack a newt, to me (sorry...)

 



Posted By: Liz Heard
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 3:25pm
THE CITIZEN is published by Gloucestershire Media, 6-8 The Oxebode, Gloucester. GL1 1RZ.


Posted By: Liz Heard
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 3:27pm
yes thats it. Berkelely, GLOS.


Posted By: Matt Harris
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2010 at 11:31am

News story about a guy who has been prosecuted for bumping off cresties and sending them to Natural England. Apparently he has been doing so in protest over their failure to pursue an adjacent landowner who has been building on GCN habitat.

Cut and paste link

http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/8244976.Pensioner_hammer ed_newts_to_death_and_sent_them_to_Natural_England__court_to ld/



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Local Authority Ecologist


Posted By: Liz Heard
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 10:15pm
hi folks,

the chap referred to here by myself, will and matt who killed 4 adult GCN with a hammer and mailed corpses to EN as his idea of a good peaceful protest, has been in my local paper again.

this time he has complained to police about the strimming/mowing of terrestrial TC habitat adjacent to his breeding pool.

Mr Butchers complaint sparked an investigation by police and a subsequent "multi-agency meeting involving police and an amphibian expert from Natural England - which concluded that strimming was not harming the newts."

a police spokesman (hopefully not the Wildlife Liason Officer since newts are amphibians NOT reptiles) reported "a multi-agency meeting has since been held in the area alongside an amphibian expert from Natural England and it was determined that the strimming being undertaken was of no harm to the reptiles."

is that true then? admittedly, ive never used a strimmer and i wouldnt but i know loads of people who have accidentally killed slow-worms using one. newts arent fast movers and electric tools dont give animals much time to get away. also, removal of vegetation reduces insect prey habitat/daytime refugia options and makes newts more visible to their enemies surely?

perhaps they were just really really careful then.

no details of how the strimming was carried out or the extent of it were given.

its on page 8 of THE CITIZEN dated monday july 26.
the headline is;

STRIMMING KILLING NEWTS CLAIMS OAP.

ben


Posted By: Adam Long
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2010 at 11:31am
A fairly idiotic piece from the Hull Daily Mail:

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Withernsea-couple-trapped-indoors-adder-living-garden/article-2454358-detail/article.html -



Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2010 at 7:44pm

lol

my kids are clearly missing out on an important avenue of education by not going to scouts...adders are olive green and grass snakes don't have teeth!

tim



Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2010 at 9:46pm
Damn that Howard Inns ,his book fails big time!

-------------
Dave Williams
davewilliamsphotography.co.uk


Posted By: Liz Heard
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2010 at 2:06pm
hi adam.

the RSPCA stance seems equally idiotic here.
if, as mr Leathley says, the snake is trapped in his garden (doubtful if its NN unless its high fencing) then surely it IS an animal welfare issue.
the animal is stuck there. it cannot breed or seek food widely.


Posted By: Iowarth
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2010 at 9:30pm
It's even more entertaining reading the various comments/responses. Although there are a few inaccuracies almost everyone seems to regard the Leathley's as, at best, stupid. And the snake appears to be emerging as the hero!

Chris


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Chris Davis, Site Administrator

Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)


Posted By: Mark_b
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2010 at 3:13pm

Another one of the yearly adder bite articles from Gower, South Wales.

 

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/07/23/walkers-warned-to-watch-out-for-adders-91466-26913139/ - http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/07/23/walk ers-warned-to-watch-out-for-adders-91466-26913139/



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http://www.wgarg.co.uk/">


Posted By: Iowarth
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2010 at 5:56pm
A recent article in The Guardian. If what is suggested takes place this could have a serious impact on herp conservation (not to mention our many other animals, plants and habitats).

Could it be the salvation or the end?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/aug/13/crown-jewels-britains-landscape-sold - http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/aug/13/crown-jewe ls-britains-landscape-sold

Chris


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Chris Davis, Site Administrator

Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)


Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2010 at 10:18am
This is a long article to digest.
I'm not certain on nature reserves and similar as the best thing anyway. Kind of makes me think the rest of the land is not to be cared about or has anything interesting. It also leads to all sorts of management, targets etc. Throwing money at schemes for particular species is never going to be good overall.
I live in Devon so am lucky I realise. I would avoid pay-as-you-go places and leave that to those who only want to walk dogs and picnic.



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Suz


Posted By: Liz Heard
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2010 at 5:31pm
you certainly cut to the chase there suze. i agree. EG -not regarded in such high esteem as official nature "reserves", GARDENS are often undervalued as habitat. even though amphibians commonly breed in them and they are valuable genetic "stores" for the future.


Posted By: Hawley
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2011 at 10:20am
Good piece on Smooth snakes on the one show on Friday (04/03/11), worth a watch on i-player



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