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RAUK - Archived Forum - Intro

This contains the Forum posts up until the end of March, 2011. Posts may be viewed but cannot be edited or replied to - nor can new posts be made. More recent posts can be seen on the new Forum at http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/

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Jonathan
Senior Member
Joined: 08 Sep 2009
No. of posts: 68


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Posted: 08 Sep 2009

Good evening,  thought I'd introduce myself.  I've recently left the forces after 18 years and settling back to civvy life.  Ideal time to catch up with my old interests and maybe point my career in that area once more.  I've been an amateur herper since I was 13 (26 years) and used to keep many exotic species before my career took me to away and I had to sell and give away to other collections.  The keeping part is something I have no intention of starting again as my views towards captive animals has changed enormously since my teen years.

I have always spent spare time surveying my local area (right on the W. Mids, South Staffs and Worcs border) right since I was 13 ( and was bitten at 15  ).  I have witnessed the effects of far too extensive heath maintenance being undertaken too quickly and too extensively. This destroyed the best grounds for adders and two hibernacula, and I've seen the population plummet dramatically over the last five years, and it is still in rapid decline due to the grazing of cows on the small isolated area.  The best sights now for Vb are now two much smaller isolation of heath within the area, which are as we speak, facing the same extensive 'maintenance' techniques, including a new gravel path straight through prime basking sites.

Hopefully next year I'll start the season with the intention of sharing this knowledge of the area that I've picked up over these years with whoever surveys the location, and maybe help out if needed. 

Good to see some very familiar names on here.  Bout time Tony got that adder book published, I remember talking to him about that in 1986 .  South Africa eh?  Seems like a very good idea the way things are going here.

Jonathan40064.8865972222
"England Expects"
tim hamlett
Senior Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
No. of posts: 572


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Posted: 08 Sep 2009

hi jonathon

nice to 'meet' you. i'm in north staffs so not a million miles away.

tim


AGILIS
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
No. of posts: 694


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Posted: 09 Sep 2009
Hi Jonathon welcome I am one of the anti tidy the heath up moaners keith
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
Jonathan
Senior Member
Joined: 08 Sep 2009
No. of posts: 68


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Posted: 09 Sep 2009

[QUOTE=AGILIS] Hi Jonathon welcome I am one of the anti tidy the heath up moaners keith [/QUOTE]

 

That's not moaning, it's constructive criticism


"England Expects"
armata
Forum Specialist
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
No. of posts: 928


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Posted: 09 Sep 2009
Welcome Jonathan - trying to wrack my memory trying to remember you!! Your location may suggest IHS?
Anyway, spring here in SA, pouring with rain and 15degC.
But summer is coming.
'I get my kicks on Route 62'
dave fixx
Senior Member
Joined: 13 Mar 2007
No. of posts: 319


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Posted: 09 Sep 2009
Hi Jonathan,
I m up in sunny North Wales ,look forward to hearing more from you.
I m also that very young age of 39 as you are.
Dave
dave fixx40065.6666203704
Dave Williams
davewilliamsphotography.co.uk
Jonathan
Senior Member
Joined: 08 Sep 2009
No. of posts: 68


View other posts by Jonathan
Posted: 09 Sep 2009

Hi Tony, blimey, yeah, the IHS.  Now that does bring back a few memories.  We used to meet at the Cotwall End Nature Centre not too far from me.  Actually though, apart from that, you had a chat with me about adders when I was down in Poole.  My dad was based around there, so we used to make it down quite often when he was on leave.  Looks like Summer has finally arrived here too, very hot.

Now when is that Berus book of yours hitting the shelves?

Cheers Dave, big 40 next year  .

Jonathan40065.6944675926
"England Expects"

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