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Posts by manofkent: |
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manofkent Member Joined: 23 Oct 2009 No. of posts: 5  View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 23 Oct 2009
Topic: Reptiles vs Rain
Hands up who knows how do reptiles react to rain in active season Esp in cooler conditions (Autumn and Spring) when nights are cooler? Now we all know our reptile and amphibian ecology/behaviour...don't we? hmm?: Reptiles bask in certain temps They bask at certain times of day They bask at certain times of year They hibernate at certain times ect blaa blaa, everything seems to be as per the famous Herps Workers Manual...right? But I question why I have been sent on a watching brief at night, in 10 deg C, in mid October in a heavy storm. A waste of client's money,,,over doing the "precautionary approach" perchance? Lets just have an ecology/biology answer/debate. **** **** BSc MSc AIEEM Ecologist 5yr exp |
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manofkent Member Joined: 23 Oct 2009 No. of posts: 5 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 24 Oct 2009
Topic: Reptiles vs Rain
This was not a survey. This was a well meaning, precautionary watching brief/destructive search works in an area which wouldn't "normally/in text books or from experience" have SWs (basking, feeding, hibernating in any large numbers)...but we were there as there was the risk of 1 or 2 getting within the jaws of machinary... I was hypothesising in my head, on site, in the pouring rain and getting cold, that the conditions didn't look massively conducive to reptile presence. In an absolute sense I feel that rain in cooler conditions could create conditions less favourable to reptiles. It certainly in my view, wouldn't make for better or neutral conditions based on a baseline day x. So on those sites which are assessed by competent staff as "low potential" for presence, might it be possible to lower the risk of construction recklessly killing or injuring reptiles by mitigating by weather. I'm sure there are flaws to this idea, please feel free to comment politely. And please keep it anecdote free and assume the good in consultants for now. (we know some are bad, but not all!) **** **** BSc MSc AIEEM Ecologist 5yr exp |
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manofkent Member Joined: 23 Oct 2009 No. of posts: 5 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 25 Oct 2009
Topic: Reptiles vs Rain
I admited before I posted that comment that there may be some "flaws". And it seems you're right onto them. I apologise, it's a bit wacky. It's just interesting to explore ideas. And I'll put it to bed if it's too outrageous. Assuming everyone is happy to debate, I'll continue. How do people feel about the following hypothesis: "all things remaining the same, the chance of slow worms being present on grassland will be reduced during periods of heavy rain*." I've deliberately not defined any terms for the purpose of debate: PS I'm not endorsing this view, but waiting on the debate to take an informed view. I'm aware of the IEEM Code of Practice, and would not recklessly go ahead with something based on speculation. Its just good fun to have the debate with clever people like yourselves. Thank you so far for your comments so far, it's appreciated. **** **** BSc MSc AIEEM Ecologist 5yr exp |
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manofkent Member Joined: 23 Oct 2009 No. of posts: 5 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 25 Oct 2009
Topic: Reptiles vs Rain
That sounds reasonable. It's important that you've picked up on being species specific. That will be good for people viewing this in the future. It also makes sense that slow worms will be less visible during periods of rain, but do not necessarily depart the area, rather hide/return to ground. Without being arguementative, rather, continuing the debating process. May I have your opinions on the hypothesis when assuming that cracks/crevices/holes in the ground are sparse. I wonder whether slow worms might (on a survival basis) depart open grassland in favour of sheltered ground off site. Do we know enough about slow worm behaviour to say for certain. Thank you for your patience. **** **** BSc MSc AIEEM Ecologist 5yr exp |
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manofkent Member Joined: 23 Oct 2009 No. of posts: 5 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 28 Oct 2009
Topic: Reptiles vs Rain
I think the comment that "Slow-worm home ranges are relatively small (compared to snakes) and the animals are unlikely to move significant distances" ...is an important one to remember. Rain or unfavourable conditions would not therefore be any reason to let up on efforts to prevent killing/injury during works (all things remaining the same). I'm sure we all accept the note that such work like this can seem generally "pointless" in terms of conservation. But I'm sure a whole new thread could be set up on that. If you're a consultant, I guess it's up to us all which contracts we take, or don't. **** **** BSc MSc AIEEM Ecologist 5yr exp |
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