RAUK - Archived Forum - Posts by Andy:

Hi! Just joined the forum today after surfing for some information about the Common Lizard. I have a small population in my back garden. Spotted about 8 adults today, basking when the sun came out, as well as 7 young (3 basking together), the others resting on leaves. Having recently perchased a digital camera, I am taking photos of them and recording sightings. The information in the forum has helped me identify males and females, thank you.

My compost heap is also home to several slow worms. I am planning to build a website diary of the wildlife I share my garden with over the next few weeks.

I will keep you posted!

Dear All.

I have started to keep records of the common lizards and slow worms sighted in my garden. I have noticed that members are posting sightings of various reptiles. Other postings I have noticed members ask if any research has been done in particular areas (e.g. slow worms on/under tins).

I am a science teacher, teach biology to Alevel and having completed a BSc and and MSc in Biological Sciences I so have a fair understanding of ecology and scientific research. So I was wondering if there is any useful research I could do, definitely over the next 4 weeks possibly over a longer period.

Immediate questions perhaps members may be able to help me with:

a) What is the basic useful information for a survey? (Currently I record, date, time, weather, location and am trying to map the locations of individuals over time). The population lives on a piece of overgrown land in my garaden (anout 2mx3m) this backs onto a much larger area of very overgrown grassland.

b) Currently I rarely disturb the lizards, I have handled one injured (caught by my cat  and a couple of "slow" juveniles), but record sightings backed up by digital photos when I can. What is a good way of estimating population size? Is it ok to catch and handle them? - is it necessary?

c) Any ideas of mini projects? (I have access to a variety of data loggers, digital light meters, temperature sensors etc).

Thanks in anticipation. PS I tried to add a picture of three of the lizard population but can't cut and paste, any advice on how to post images in the forum!

Thanks for the tip Gemma - I think I've done it.

This is actually a pic of a very lucky moment this morning. I usually have my camera in the garden with me, and heard a struggle in the border, to my surprise this common lizard had just caught a spider and I managed to get a pic of it!!!! Hope you like.