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Posts by Matt Harris: |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196  View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 03 Jun 2003
Topic: Common Lizard Identification & Sightings
Hi Wolfgang, Just to be nosey, when you say BIX did you see them at the Warburg Reserve? I did herp survey there for a year in 1998/9. Fantastic place not just for reptiles, but birds, orchids, butterflies etc. Matthew Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 09 Jun 2003
Topic: Bufo bufo ssp?
Any ideas on this Bufo, from the Ebro region of northeast Spain - gets to the size of a teaplate apparently, and could eat three of our British B bufo at a time!!
Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 26 Jun 2003
Topic: WILDLIFE AND ENVIRoNMENTAL CRIME CoNFEREN
10th June 2003 Dear Colleague THE 3rd WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME CONFERENCE 2003 Monday 17th November û Tuesday 18th November 2003 We are very pleased to invite you to the 3rd Wildlife and Environmental Crime Conference 2003. To continue with the partnership approach, this years Conference will be jointly hosted by the Countryside Council for Wales and Dyfed Powys Police. We would very much like you to join us for the Conference which will commence at lunchtime on Monday 17th November, finishing with lunch, on Tuesday 18th. The venue is The Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells . The hotel is centrally situated within reach of a train station. The aim of the conference is to reduce wildlife and environmental crime by encouraging communication, co-operation and the lawful exchange of information between interested organisations. By sharing this knowledge and expertise to further understanding and raise awareness, we can advance the conservation and enhancement of the rich wildlife, habitat and landscapes of Wales. Once again, we are seeking contributions to the conference from colleagues wishing to share their expertise and experiences, plus the wider implications of cases they have been involved in. There will also be the opportunity to display information or include publications within the delegate packs, on the role of your organisation in the fight against environmental and wildlife crime. We hope you will find the conference both interesting and useful. We welcome new delegates and look forward to reacquainting ourselves with those of you we have met over the past two years! If you wish to attend, please contact Gillian Bilsborough/Carys Roberts, Species Protection Team Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DN Yours faithfully, Terrence Grange, QPM, MSc & Ms Gillian BilsboroughChief Constable Species Protection Officer Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 27 Jun 2003
Topic: 5th World Herp Congress
FIFTH WORLD CONGRESS OF HERPETOLOGY CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA 20-27 November 2005 The Executive Committee of the World Congress of Herpetology voted in favour of Cape Town, South Africa as the venue for the 5th World Congress. We hereby cordially invite you to join us for an unforgettable experiencein one of the Worlds premier tourism destinations and experience South Africa at its best. The Herpetological Association of Africa (HAA) will assist in furthering the aims of the Congress and invites you to visit their website for furtherdetails and regular updates on the Congress www.wits.ac.za/haa). The congress organisers, Conferences et al. will soon have more informationavailable on the Congress and will set up a dedicated website please watchthe HAA website for details. Prospective delegates are invited to visit these sites frequently to get updates on the latest developments. Pleasecontact the congress secretariat at conf@conferencesetal.co.za for additional information and to have your name put on the mailing list forfurther announcements. Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 01 Jul 2003
Topic: Is Aesculapian snake still around?
Aesculapians - I worked at WMZ for a few months in 1996 and saw roadkill Aesculapians and sloughed skins that the gardeners brought in. Wall lizards - I emailed someone a few years ago, who had put an article in the Natterjack, about the colony at the Cotswold WildlifePark. I was told at the time they were probably P sicula, but it was great to see them whatever they were, crawling onto the giant tortoises to bask etc. Incidentally, you would, strictly speaking,need a license to re-release these non-native species into the wild in the UK. Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 01 Jul 2003
Topic: Is Aesculapian snake still around?
<<I don't really see these snakes having any negative impact >> Neither do I and I hope they contine to thrive, but with regards to releasing non-native spp., you have to draw the line somewhere, otherwise you're looking at the thin end of the wedge. It is prudent to ban release of non-natives outright rather than have a specialist make a decision as to whether it's release will be detrimental or not. The findings I know of were all within the zoo grounds. At the CWP, the area of wall where the Podarcis hatchlings used to appear in late summer was cemented up because it was getting dangerous. I never saw any juveniles after that. Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 02 Jul 2003
Topic: Population estimates
There's this table on DEFRA's website from 1995, if it's the kind of thing you're looking for. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/des/wildlife/wld2223.htm Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 07 Jul 2003
Topic: Developers & BAP Species
BAPs are the responsibility of Local Authorities, though there will be other partners for specific HAP's and SAP's, including English Nature etc. The BAp's and the partners involved in them are listed on the UKBAP website, and I would have thought that contacting some of these partners might help. As I understand it, BAP species have no legal protection per se, its just that the LA is obliged to write the BAP (though not to implement it), unless the same species have protection through the WCA 1981 or Habitats Regulations. Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 10 Jul 2003
Topic: please help, what is this snake?
Any reason why you wouldn't say it's a corn snake? Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 10 Jul 2003
Topic: Drift fencing
Are there any suppliers of pre-fabricated drift fencing, or do people normally improvise with ordinary materials? Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 14 Jul 2003
Topic: Body bits
I spoke to Rhys the other day and it sounds like he's still interested in receiving samples, though more especially from Wales. Snake Tissue Samples Wanted for Study Rhys Jones, based at Cardiff University, needs samples of snake tissue for a study of the genetics and distribution of adders Vipera berus and grass snakes Natrix natrix throughout Britain (and Europe). Rhys is looking for samples of, or whole, dead snakes or snake sloughs. He needs to know where the snake originated. If you have access to such tissues (e.g. preserved road kills, or collected sloughs) please contact: Rhys Jones, G10, BIOSI 1, Main Building, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 4BT, 029 20875776 (Lab), JonesR9@cf.ac.uk Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 16 Jul 2003
Topic: Fire-bellied toad?
Bombina maxima http://www.petpet.ne.jp/zukan/amphibia/29.jpg Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 09 Mar 2009
Topic: Wall Lizard Survey Methodology
[QUOTE=Vicar] Hi Alistair,Drop me an email using the link below. :P [/QUOTE] If you have an answer to the op question, why not post it on this forum - I'm sure there are others that would like to hear it. Or is it some sort of secret? Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 21 Jul 2003
Topic: Another toad found in Hackney
Try and find out who's releasing all these exotics and have a quiet word with them - they may not be aware that its illegal under the WCA1981. Trying to breed them in a garden pond is counted as release in this context as it is virtually impossible to stop them escaping from the garden, and evidently, the owners have failed in this respect. Incidentally, the law against release of exotics applies even if you caught the thing in the wild in the UK - if you let it go again, technically you are breaking the law. If you catch them, you need to keep them in captivity, or better still, don't catch it at all 'till you can find the owner. We all like to se different types of herp in the "natural" state, but really if people want to see these things in the wild, they're better off going abroad. One could argue that these handfuls of specimens are not doing any harm to native species in darkest Hackney, but the law is the law and it has to be applied, otherwise you're looking at the thin end of the wedge. Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 22 Jul 2003
Topic: Another toad found in Hackney
....that is exactly why I suggested having "a quiet word", rather than contacting the local Police Wildlife Liaison Officer. The object of my posting was to remind the finder (of these aliens) of the law û if they didnÆt know it already û so that if they found who had released them, they could mention that itÆs really not such a good idea. IÆll know better than to offer advice where itÆs not wanted in the future. I find the phrases "acting the policeman" and "waving a big stick" to be patronising and offensive to me. I work with wildlife law on a daily basis, and am well trained in the tact and diplomacy needed to encourage people to comply with wildlife law through an appreciation of the value of wildlife in terms of the environment and of our own quality of life; I have never had to recite the law to someoneÆs face, and would probably get a B*****ing if I did. Many people simply arenÆt aware that it's not on to release these things, but there are ways and means of putting the importance of protecting our native spp. in a positive light û as IÆm sure you know. On a related note, here was a posting recently, which I have to say rubbed me up the wrong way, where a colleague seemed very proud of the fact that he had recited the law to someone who had threatened to kill a snake <<"Well ... " I said stoney faced, "All these snakes are protected species, did you know that? And you could find yourself receiving a rather large fine if you deliberately harm them, did you know that?".>> No offence but this made him sound like a smart-arse and he comes across as being quite arrogant in this reply û I only hope it came across better in real-life. There werenÆt any comments about his "acting the policeman" and "waving a big stick" after that posting. We none of us like to see animals harmed, but encouraging people to not chop up reptiles while out on a walk is just as difficult as encouraging them to not release non-native herps. Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 22 Jul 2003
Topic: Another toad found in Hackney
I accept the comments above, <<Certainly, in some cases, a reminder that these animals are actually legally protected may well be useful to demonstrate that it's not just a matter of you being a tree-hugging crank, but that your view actually has legal backing.>> ThatÆs the message I was trying to get across. <<Obviously, the "big stick" approach is unlikely to have much effect on joy-riding, glue-sniffing, heroin mainlining scum who just do it for kicks and are destined for a life in and out of jail anyway.>> So now we know the sort of people you mix with Wolfgang!! <<None of the species found are likely to form viable long-term populations in the area.>> But then again, neither are RETs or American Bullfrogs. An extreme analogy I know, but looking at it objectively I feel that the overall tone of some of the postings is that these aliens are ôinterestingö and to be ôenjoyedö, rather than of concern. On the one hand itÆs true that these guys arenÆt going to go rampaging around the streets of Hackney, destroying all herps in their path (are there any in Hackney?!), but on the other hand I wouldnÆt want a casual observer of this forum to get the impression that we are happy to tolerate such releases. <<..it sounds to me like you get "rubbed up the wrong way" faaar to easy.>> Yes I probably do, where wildlife is involved! <<The subject was Ash Berus , and if you follow all the threads you will see posts where I ask advice on how to deal with careless dogwalkers in an area with gravid berus. I had mentioned putting up signs etc etc .>> Would it be worthwhile your leading a walk for local ramblers etc to explain a bit about adder natural history, whilst discreetly introducing the concept that they are protected? Adder/reptile talks round our way are usually well attended, and one guy had over 100 people on one walk! BTW, I find the term ôprotected speciesö is one that is generally understood by most people, but is sufficiently nebulous as to be a lot less threatening than ôWCA 1981 schedule 5 etc etc.ö Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 22 Jul 2003
Topic: Talk to them ? I did.
Something that still makes me chuckle from my zoo-keeping days was the feeling of animosity towards MO'S by the keepers. A lot thought he was a bit of a pratt the way he dives after stuff and acts up for the cameras, but I think it was mostly jealousy that he's rich and famous and they, er, aren't. If you offered your average keeper the money he earns for doing what he does, they'd bite your hand off, and who wouldn't?! "He knows a lot abot reptiles in the same way that a trainspotter knows a lot about trains" was one comment! I've noticed on a few shows that some of the researchers he tags along with seemed a bit fed up with his antics, but then, it's all for the cameras. BTW Steve Irwin holding on to everything by the tail - doesn't that damage them? Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 30 Jul 2003
Topic: Slow worm exposed basking
<<All the books tell us that slow worms are only rarely seen out in the open>> Compared to how often the are found under tins/stones etc, I don't think that this is an unreasonable statement, but I suppose it boils down to your definition of "rarely"! Slow-worms are mostly thigmothermic, but from what people say above maybe the females do bask a bit more in order to aid embryonic development? Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 30 Jul 2003
Topic: Slow worm exposed basking
Looking over my records I've seen one male and three females "basking" this year Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 31 Jul 2003
Topic: Slow worm exposed basking
<<Has anyone compared the amount of snakes and slow-worms found under tins in the morning with the temperature of the air and ground at night. >> I know Betty Platenberg recorded cloacal temperature and under-tin temperature with slow-worms and the grass snakes which were on her patch, but I think this was once a day, rather than at regular times throughout the day. Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
- Posts by Matt Harris |
