RAUK - Archived Forum - Posts by Alex2:

Yes, a Hoppy Christmas to you all!.

Cheers, Alex

[QUOTE=dave fixx]Dont know the species but you can definatly find them in Alicante in spain,they were all over our villa.[/QUOTE]

The Turkish Gecko is native to many areas of the Med, the common name is somewhat misleading ;) 

Interesting debate, and will say that a couple of years ago in Boscombe I did witness a PM snatch an insect from right under the nose of a LA. It made me think there and then that perhaps LA were not agile enough to compete with the faster PM's when it came to catching food. From my observations of the Worth colony, the PM seem to occupy an area right next to LV but only overlap in territory over a small patch of ground (or at least it appears that way currently).

Cheers, Alex.

Yes Kate, both frogs this time, your good old Rana Temporaria 

Cheers, Alex.

[QUOTE=james4]k yes dont worry im not stupid enough to get bit,how much does it hurt. [/QUOTE]

Hi James, 

In the nicest possible way, to describe how painfull an Adder bite is is really nigh on imposible. Plus, everyone has different pain thresholds. I must say at this point that I've never been bitten by an Adder, but I can imagine it's no holiday in the Bahamas.

Cheers,

Alex. 

Sorry to dig up an old topic, but out of interest, I was talking to a friend of mine the other day that insists that there is a colony of H.Arborea at a certain Weymouth lake...Anybody else heard this rumour?, first I'd heard of it. I suggested he's getting mixed up with the now defunct Hampshire colony, but he's certain he's got his facts straight. Perhaps Dave B will know more?.

Cheers,

Alex.

Thanks Tony, I find it interesting that you've also heard this story. I will have to quiz my friend more and make sure it is the RSPB lake.

Cheers,

Alex.

[QUOTE=james4]has anyone been to delamere forest,is there reptiles there,it seems like a likly place ill go next yeat,any hunts of were they are in the forest. [/QUOTE]

From doing a Google search it appears you will find reptiles in Delamere Forest, I presume you're mainly after Adders?. Have a look in April and let us know how you get on.

Alex.

[QUOTE=james4]ok ,its a forest though,so i doubt there there in the forest as it trees and they need the sun,trees block the sun. [/QUOTE]

I think that Delamere Forest is just the name of the park, I'm sure you will find some open sunny spots close to cover where, with luck, you may spot an Adder, GS or CL. You will need to tread carefully and with no sudden movements, keeping your eyes peeled at all times. I'm fortunate that I live in Dorset and get to see our native herpetofauna frequently. Good luck (and take a camera).

[QUOTE=armata]General names for an area can be misleading, take the New Forest for example, you will not find a better reptile area.[/QUOTE]

Thankyou Tony, you've hit the nail on the head here, whereas my explanation didn't quite, well, hit the nail on the head!

Alex. 

[QUOTE=David Bird]The old colony of Tree frogs in the New Forest near Beaulieu was definitely Hyla arborea as I saw and heard them several times. There have certainly been numerous reports of single calling males all over the forest over the last 20 years away from any houses but as far as I know no breeding colonies. On most visit I made to the Beaulieu site I found local children with small nets "pond dipping" and when questioned had known of other children who had taken specimens that they had caught to school and then put them in their garden.
I do not know how the Turkish Hyla were obtained but many of the imports I saw from Turkey were Hyla savignyi which do not have the stripe like H.arboreaand often blotched. I found they were also much easier to breed in captivity indoors than H.arborea
There was information about a person who was supposed to have introduced the tree frogs near Beaulieu who lived further down the hill and used to pay the local children to catch the ones that migrated to the pond up the hill and at the edge of the heath back to his more shady garden. I was told this by a chap who was one of the children in the early 1900's.
I have not heard anything about Tree frogs in Weymouth but will make enquiries.

David[/QUOTE]

Sorry to off topic... 

Hi Dave, could you delete a message or something in your PM, have been trying to message you. Not seen you for ages old bean, happy new year, Alex Moss.

P.s, Find out anything on the Weymouth 'Hyla'?.

[QUOTE=armata]Hi Alex, Yes, left in 79 for my first sojourn in SA.

I believe the site is now very expensive flats. I used to love the old Poole Quay the way it used to be.[/QUOTE]

I'll reply to your post Tony before I read the wealth of messages after it!.

I too loved the old Poole Quay, not so many years ago it had fantastic pubs plus an amazing vivarium/aquarium!. A real shame Neville sold up, it was sad days going in there and seeing the animals being shipped off to pastures new (including some of my own, Leiolepis Belliana if I remember rightly...excuse latin spelling, common name Bell's Agama). Admittedly some of the exhibits may of fallen behind the times but, nevertheless, a shame to see it go, the breeding successes there speak for themselves. I see Dave's here on this forum so will be good to catch up with him, I hear Miles went to Portugal and Steve is at Poole College looking after Bearded Dragons etc. I guess London Zoo has the biggest collection of Venomous now? (didn't PA/NW have the biggest at one point?). 

[QUOTE=james4]well cant u start a new topic,this is for MY thread. [/QUOTE]

Sorry James, I felt I had really answered your question as best as I could, and the topic really ended there...hopefully in April, or whenever you can, come back and tell us what YOU DISCOVERED at Delamere Forest. But in all fairness you have a habit of repeatedly asking simple questions that you yourself should really be finding out the answer to (i.e GOOGLE). You have to remember, as Alan says, this is a PUBLIC forum, and the thread starter does not really possess the thread. I hope this hasn't come across rudely, good luck with the herping.

Cheers, Alex.

[QUOTE=Alan Hyde]I'm surprised that any hyla arborea could survive in UK. From what i've seen when visiting Turkey these frogs love hot sunshine! [/QUOTE]

Hi Alan,

I know this is not a 'keepers' forum, but nevertheless, thought you maybe interested to know that I keep a colony of around 10 Hyla Arborea outdoors (in a SECURE enclosure) year round. They were active till fairly late in the year. It was talking about this that I heard off a friend about the alleged Weymouth Hyla. They certainly do enjoy basking in the sunshine, and croaking in it (much to the neighbours amusement).

Cheers, Alex.

[QUOTE=armata]Ah Suzi,

You must remember Upton, Canford and Broadstone heaths as they were - fond memories.

And Alex, you remember the Poole Arms as it was just a pace and a half from the PA. Many good lunches there!!

Neville was oblivious to the true value of some things; still his now gone to entrapaneur's heaven.

At least Purbecks has remained more or less intact, despite some bad management it is still the reptile jewel of Dorset, if not the UK.[/QUOTE]

Tony,

I do remember the Poole Arms, the Jolly Sailor etc is still there and a great bar called the Oyster Quay (not!). I live in Langton Matravers, not a million miles from the Winspit immigrants, I certainly agree with you that Purbeck is one of the finest places to see our native herpetofauna. I had a reasonable herping year, but didn't see one juvenile L.Agilis this year which was worrying, as I normally see a fair few (I notice there is also a thread about this). 

Cheers, Alex.

P.s, Tony, whilst watching the Winspit P.M's I saw a young male Adder there this year, basking openly right out in the pathway whilst people took pictures (sadly I didn't get any).  

[QUOTE=armata]Lovely mosaic basking shoys there Mark.

Ah Alex, you mus bide at the Kings Arns some evenings then; and give my regards to the Square & Compass when passing on your way to the Pms [/QUOTE]

Have to laugh Tony, ironically I'm just on my way down to the Kings Arms in 5 mins!. And the Square and Compass is another regular haunt (New Years Eve was a good one). It makes me think that there should be a forum meet up this year, herping in the Purbecks and then the S and Q afterwards to replenish thirst!. 

[QUOTE=armata]Mark & Alex,

I need to PM you soon as it would be good if you could check out a site; in fact my oldest adder study site.
Tis to do with the Norden Park & Ride. The population is in declne I think, but more later.[/QUOTE]

Tony,

I'd be pleased to be of help there, many years ago as a member of the YHC I used to keep an eye on the BHS site located nearby. Also, my ex-stepfather is a senior member of staff on Swanage Railway funnily enough, I think through my interest he helped 'educate' some of the volunteers that Adders are a valuable part of the countryside, and should be appreciated rather than persecuted.

Regards, Alex.

I like the idea of a herping meet around the Square and Compass (starting from, or finishing at, or possibly not getting beyond...).  I'm attaching a picture I took of an Adder basking in someone's drive-way just down the road (literally) from that pub in Worth Matravers, and right in the centre of the village.   An excellent area for many types of Wildlife, including Early Spider Orchids nearby at Winspit. 

Peter

[/QUOTE]

Great pic Peter!.

I remember a few years ago, Charlie (Newman, S and Q owner) found a melanistic Adder and put it in an empty dustbin to show to all. It was the first one I'd seen outside of the New Forest at the time, and incidentally, have never seen one around Swanage/Durlston/Worth since. I think the S and Q/Purbeck meet-up would be excellent, I am new to the forum but there's a few folks on here I already know.

Hope this all made sense, perhaps have had one too many in one of Purbecks finest .

Cheers, Alex.