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RAUK - Archived Forum - Posts by Vicar:

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Vicar
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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

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Steve Langham - Chairman    
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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.



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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.



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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 !
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Steve Langham - Chairman    
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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 ?



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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 ?





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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!


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Posted: 25 Feb 2008 Topic: attacks on frogs



Must.........resist...........Any...........Mrs Slocombe-style...........comments  


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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



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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


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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 ?


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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 :(

 




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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


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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

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Posted: 21 Sep 2004 Topic: Frensham Tins



Anybody know who's put out tins at Frensham ?


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Posted: 23 Sep 2004 Topic: Tuxedo



But whose ?...Common Lizard ??

or are they pants ?




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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




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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.




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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.

 




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Posted: 12 Nov 2004 Topic: GCN Survey Project 2004 - Results Summary



ooh....no depth/volume factor ??


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