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RAUK - Archived Forum - RAUK Fieldtrip 2008

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RAUK Fieldtrip 2008:

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GemmaJF
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008

Here we go, post your ideas and availability for another RAUK fieldtrip, some interest already in a site with smooth snakes and a reasonable chance of seeing them (somewhere tinned perhaps) and someone to show us around.

Any thoughts, dates, locations members fancy?

GemmaJF39606.6286689815
Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant
adamanteus
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008
I would love to go.  As for location.... it doesn't really matter to me, I'm so far away from any Smooth Snake sites that I'd have a considerable journey anyway.  As for dates.... soon would be good!
James.
herpetologic2
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008

 

I would suggest a re visit to Light Water plus visiting local smooth snake sites around that area. I would be available to take people round - I would like to see the smooth snakes for myself as I havent seen any there along with many other people - but St Rick found a youngster last year.

Alternative sites would be Dorset way or my neck of the woods around the New Forest - dates I am easy if I can fit it in I will - June would be good in the early morning to mid morning

 

Jon


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
tim hamlett
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008

glad to see you made it back safely gemma. is flying with a hangover any easier than driving with one?

it probably wouldn't be a very good idea to arrange a field trip to dorset purely on the basis that me and my family are around, but seriously, if anyone is likely to be around the area from 13 - 20 august it would be great to meet up. we've already had a very kind offer from david to show us around depending on the weather etc. the more the merrier i reckon.

tim


GemmaJF
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008

Tim as it happened, in the end it was weathered off so I never left the UK the idea was to get a lift over to Le Touquet then for me to fly back.

As it was though I was too hungover to test ride a bike I went to look at today  (oh well they agreed it was mine subject to the test ride on Monday when my system has been flushed a bit). Say again Gemma 'I will never ever drink again' - I did give up for a few years but now one glass leads to 10 and feeling very icky the next day. Also flight planning at two in the morning whilst a bit worse for drink is the realm of airline pilots - so best avoided in future

Sounds like we have two potential trips then, one for June to Lightwater and a nearby site and one to Dorset during 13 -20 August if David is agreable?

Any way the decision is the forum members so post up what you want to do.


Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant
Vicar
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008
Why aim low?

I would suggest a fine ambition would be to attempt to see 8 reptile species in a day ! ~ Which would mean Dorset, and some local expertise.

As a backup, if that doesn't work, very good chance of all native 6 at Hankley, Surrey.  Very happy to follow somebody else's lead on this

Steve Langham - Chairman    
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG).
arvensis
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008
I'm up for a trip somewhen, as for dates, without my work roster next to me I wouldn't know when I'm off.    Sundays are out of the question for me though.

Mark

Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group.
tim hamlett
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008

[QUOTE=GemmaJF]Say again Gemma 'I will never ever drink again' [/QUOTE]

giving up drinking is easy...i've done it hundreds of times! in fact i maight do it again tomorrow.

all eight species in one day sounds like a fine ambition to me, although i'm yet to see all four widespread sps in the same year and the kids are yet to see their first wild snake!

tim

 


arvensis
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008
[QUOTE=Vicar]Why aim low?

I would suggest a fine ambition would be to attempt to see 8 reptile species in a day ! ~ Which would mean Dorset, and some local expertise.

As a backup, if that doesn't work, very good chance of all native 6 at Hankley, Surrey.  Very happy to follow somebody else's lead on this
[/QUOTE]

I did 8 in a day 3 or so weeks back - if you want a real challenge and live nearer London then perhaps 9 is a possibility..

As for not drinking, I read about the perils of drinking too much.   So I decided to quit reading

Mark

Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group.
adamanteus
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Posted: 07 Jun 2008
It would be an achievement indeed to see 8 (or even 9) reptile species in the day.  But it would be nice for those of us who rarely get to see even one, to savour the moment and spend some time just watching and photographing.  For my part I would be happy to see (and photograph) an Adder, which I'm beginning to think is a mythical beast!
James.
herpetologic2
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Posted: 08 Jun 2008

The challenge seems to be set - several sites within an area around Dorset -

Though there would be a challenge to spot the following in a sub optimal time of year (june to august) according to the guidance.

Adder, grass snake, smooth snake

slowworm, viviparous lizard & sand lizard

Wall lizard & green lizard

for good measure perhaps a few species of terrapin  red eared, yellow bellied slider, or map turtles.

Perhaps we could write up the field trip or road trip for the European Herp community - it would mean a very early start for people or we could try for an late afternoon/evening......

J

 


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
AGILIS
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Posted: 08 Jun 2008
field trippers would certainly be guaranteed to see wall lizards  and green lizards at Boscombe  which give a good variety for one  trip and sands & possible ca  if its in the Studland area both places are only a quick car ride away from the two siteskeith AGILIS39607.4365856481
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
David Bird
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Posted: 08 Jun 2008
I would rather take out just a few people maximum of 3 to the sites that I work and have numerous tins rather than an organised field trip which I have found from past experience is not that productive. Saturday or Sunday would be best so that we are outside the Health and Safety aspects of moving around working quarries.
British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker.
GemmaJF
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Posted: 16 Jun 2008

Does anyone want to take a lead on setting the date and location for a field trip? Surrey looks the most viable for a large group but is a bit out of my way to organise the whole thing, though I would like to attend if possible.


Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant
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Posted: 25 Jun 2008
This seems to have gone a bit quiet...

If, we are talking about the summer (July-August?), then the weather will be pretty poor for most widespread species, although Ca will be present, but I think it makes more sense to see the Dorset 'exotics' which will be very active. Actually a good time to see them as 'home' animals will be tougher to spot.

The number of attendees won't matter for the Boscombe cliffs, and maybe a smaller number of people could visit one of the nearby Ca sites? (I'd be happy to wander off and survey some of the other Pm sites).

If we wait until September, then Surrey would be a more viable option, with a better chance of seeing all 6 native species.

Thoughts ?

Steve Langham - Chairman    
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG).
adamanteus
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Posted: 25 Jun 2008

For my part, I don't mind when it is.... It would be better if there was plenty of notice so that people can be sure to work their other commitments around it.

I's love to see Coronella austriaca, but I'd be happy with another shot at an Adder!


James.
GemmaJF
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Posted: 25 Jun 2008
Sounds good Steve but somone will have to take on the organisation. I would like to attend but have a lot on at the moment so couldn't guarantee it.
Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant
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Posted: 25 Jun 2008
ROFL....ok, lets make this a multiple choice 

1. Summer trip to Dorset
2. September trip to Surrey

Votes?

Steve Langham - Chairman    
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG).
GemmaJF
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Posted: 25 Jun 2008

eeer um eeer um .... yes (don't multiple choice usually have letters??)

Which means a summer trip to Dorset sounds good as does a September trip to Surrey  (oh and I think the Northern faction of RAUK are organisation their own breakaway trip )


Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant
adamanteus
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Posted: 25 Jun 2008

I'd like to come on the Southern one.

I vote for option 2 (category B, sub-section 'Votes')....September in Surrey.  I'm not too bothered about seeing alien species.


James.

- RAUK Fieldtrip 2008

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