Posts by Vicar: |
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Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 31 Jan 2006
Topic: 2006 is comino to life!
I know the new guys have been a bit spammy.... I personally have taken the view that at least they are keen, and obviously have a real passion for the subject, I'm sure they'll calm down soon. This forum is so useful and its great to find a community with a shared interest, with such depth of knowledge, that I do understand their over-enthusiasm. I may have been a bit guilty of it too when I first stumbled across the site . Anyhow...that was my tuppence. I hope Daniel will be back soon, with maybe fewer than a hundred posts a day Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 10 Mar 2009
Topic: Wall Lizard Survey Methodology
No big secret... Surveying for wall lizards is just an extension of lizard survey for our native species. Except perhaps that Pm are more obvious as they will bask in more open situations. Unlike UK mainland, some channel island populations are native, and are protected under European legislation. These sites are already well known to local herpetologists. It is against forum policy to name specific sites, especially for the more protected animals...hence email contact. Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 10 Mar 2009
Topic: Wall Lizard Survey Methodology
Probably worth adding that 'optimal weather' is different for Pm. All they really need is strong sunshine (and less than a strong wind) to bask. January wouldn't be optimum...but there are generally baskers out in bright sunshine right through the winter season. Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 30 Mar 2007
Topic: would you say its time...
Phil, Vitally important that you take some pictures !, as this will help me to settle a bet. I think you're genuine, but my other half reckons that you're a house-bound evil OAP who stalks forums, winding people up to pass away the long dreary days. Get photos...help me win this bet ! Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 30 Mar 2007
Topic: Hitting the Mother Lode!
Nice one Rick The males will likely disperse, but you may find that the reproductive females hang around the hibernaculum general area. It does sound as if you have found a hibernaculum ! Very grateful if it would be possible to email or Pm the location, as we're going to be doing the reptile training for NARRS at Lightwater in April. Are you coming to the training day ? Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 19 Sep 2007
Topic: Macabre, but interesting
Stopped off to visit the Shoreham wall lizard colony at the weekend, when Sarah called me over to see the Slow worm corpse she'd found. Amazing to see how prominant the teeth are when the flesh partly decays. I've been bitten by Af plenty of times in the past, and have never felt teeth. Quite the interesting photo...I thought ? Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 25 Feb 2008
Topic: HAVE WE A PROBLEM HERE?
Don't worry Sue, people often get very enthusiastic when they first find this forum..because its so good! Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 25 Feb 2008
Topic: attacks on frogs
Must.........resist...........Any...........Mrs Slocombe-style...........comments Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 25 Feb 2008
Topic: Italian crested newt
Does anybody have any data concerning the distribution of T. carnifex in the UK ? I know we have them here in Surrey at Newdigate, and at Birmingham. I've heard of other Black Country colonies and Wales? Grateful for any info. Steve Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 16 Sep 2004
Topic: Hole
I did think of that David !...only trouble is..I've seen no Scarabae or the like on Frensham yet !, although they are quite common at Hankley, just down the road. Best I keep my eyes peeled Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 16 Sep 2004
Topic: Frensham
Heh, I was out there as well today...Think I even saw the same Natrix !, your description was spot on. What time were you out and about ? Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 17 Sep 2004
Topic: Frensham
Strange...According to my 'sheet' I was there until about 13:30, I only saw a couple of 'walkers' and a pair of MTBers. Mind you its a big place, maybe we were at different bits...tho I've only found Sandies at one part, so far. For future reference, I'm the 6'2 'built like a brick outhouse' with long hair guy with a camera around my neck :P I hadn't seen a Natrix in the sand lizard bit before yesterday, and what with all the nadders there...think the Sandies are having a rough time :(
Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 18 Sep 2004
Topic: Quite a Day!
Terrible weather today at Frensham, I couldn't spot anything today, Hope you didn't trek down from London. Should be better tomorrow :P Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 21 Sep 2004
Topic: Grrrr !
Blah....took ages to sneak up on this sandy, just as the sun went in. Couldn't get a small enough aperture to get depth of field, just as I reached for the ring flash, it buggered off....would have been an awesome pic ! - Oh well, back to tramping the heaths ! Today at Frensham Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 21 Sep 2004
Topic: Frensham Tins
Anybody know who's put out tins at Frensham ? Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 23 Sep 2004
Topic: Tuxedo
But whose ?...Common Lizard ?? or are they pants ? Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 08 Nov 2004
Topic: Looking at new project
Ian, I think there are a few factors to consider which will help you to determine the size of a survey site. Which survey techniques will you use ? How frequently will you visit the site ? How long can you spare for each visit ? Species targetted and terrain type ? I'm no expert, but have had to consider the same issue lately, and have personally decided a rule of thumb....obviously open for comment by the forum. For open heathland, combining refugia and belt transect visual encounter survey methods, visiting the site fortnightly (about 20 visits per season) and staying on site 1-2 hours, I think I can cope with a 25 hectare area. If I interleve areas either by visiting weekly, or by staying on site longer, maybe two 25-hectare areas. If you want to work out the area of your site...try: www.magic.gov.uk where you can use the interactive map to zoom into your site of interest and use the polygon tool to assess the area of interest in hectares. If you want a basic idea of habitat coverage over the site, use multimap (www.multimap.com ?) to zoom onto your area, then switch to the aerial photography tab to view culture. Its not the best way to determine culture coverage, but certainally targets the areas which you may choose to walk for a visual (ground) survey prior to your herp survey. Just my thoughts :P Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 12 Nov 2004
Topic: GCN Survey Project 2004 - Results Summary
Lee, Is there any merit in extending the HSI methodology, coupled with empirical data to make broad population estimates ? I'm thinking of pond area or perimeter etc. Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 12 Nov 2004
Topic: Grey wriggly things
Just a thought...hard to say from the pic, but they look a little like leatherjackets, Crane fly larvae, which eat rotting vegetable matter/plant roots etc.
Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 12 Nov 2004
Topic: GCN Survey Project 2004 - Results Summary
ooh....no depth/volume factor ?? Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
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