Lee Brady's Recording Blog

Refugia Choice by Adders

You may be interested in some preliminary findings from the KRAG Adders in Decline Project (2003 pilot).

By comparing different refugia (88 tins v 88 roofing felt) at three different Kent sites (Quilters Wood, Kings Wood & Mabledon Hospital) over 58 survey visits, I have calculated the following preliminary results:

% of Total Adder Observations

Basking openly - 8% (only adults)

Roofing Felt - 15% (all lifestages, but only 2 adults)

Tin - 77% (all lifestages)

There are several caveats to these results. Most notably the survey was set up quite late in the season (mid-late June; meaning that animals basking openly upon emergence from hibernation were missed), felt and tins were not always the same sizes etc. However, the results are certainly food for thought and remember it was only a pilot to help plan next year's big project. It certainly looks like roofing felt just doesn't cut it for surveying adders...

I would like to say a big 'Thank you' to everybody who helped set up refugia and/or collect survey results this year. A rough calculation (using current consultancy rates) indicates that this project would have cost over £12000 (on paper)!

I hope many of you will want to help with the main project during 2004! This project will be launched on November 9th at SE Regional HGBI Meeting. A full programme for the conference can be found here.

Official KRAG Web Site

Well it's here, although only in skeleton format at the moment. The official KRAG web pages can be found here.

The current blog will be maintained as a 'recorder's news diary', but leaflets, links and other such items will be managed from the main pages.

if you have ideas for page designs please let me know!

New Publications Available Online

With input from KRAG and English Nature, Richard Moyse (KWT) has produced 2 excellent guidance notes on how great crested newts and protected reptiles should be treated in new developments.

The leaflets are available as downloadable pdfs from here.

Many development proposals do not come up to scratch in their treatment of these species, and we hope that the leaflets will be a useful guide to planners, developers, and those who comment on planning applications.

Reptile Survey Day

This morning I met new KRAG member Kari and we spent the morning surveying two sites in east Kent. Although the weather was not great, results were not too bad at all!

At the first site (near Challock) we observed 7 slow-worm, 4 lizards and a solitary male adder (sat under a tin).

After leaving Challock we travelled east to a site near Covert Wood where we observed 6 slow-worm, 4 lizards, another male adder and a young grass snake. Full House!! The adder was quite a big boy and low and behold sat under some roofing felt!!! Only the second adult adder I have recorded this year under felt (all other observations have been under tin).

Baby Adders!

After the meeting with Mike (see today's entry on gcn), Sue and I stopped off at Kings Wood to check on refugia set as part of the 'Adders in Decline' monitoring project.

Although it was a bright sunny day, air temperatures were suppressed by an easterly breeze. At the time of our survey air temp was 17˙C. Reptile observations were very low with only a single (juvenile) slow-worm and no viviparous lizards. However, we were very pleased to see two baby adders (male and female we think), along with a large adult male.

When is your latest adder observation?

UPDATE

Added weblink for Adders in Decline

Great Crested Newt Project

Sue and I met with Mike Philips from BTCV today, to discuss the possibility of launching a new great crested newt survey initiative.

Although primarily aimed at Pond Wardens, there is no reason why other people couldn't also get involved. The project would supply equipment and pay travel expenses. There would also be survey training courses and on the ground support. We are currently investigating funding possibilities. Watch this space for more news.

UPDATE

More information on this important initiative can be found here.

New Committee Members

At the last KRAG Committee meeting we held a lengthy debate over who should do what within the group. Although a big shake-up has been deferred to our AGM (to be held soon - watch this space), we have recruited two new members.

Gemma Fairchild (who's online forum can be found here has very kindly agreed to take over the role of Newsletter Editor. This is really great news. KRAG have been without a newsletter for far too long and have failed to adequately communicate our events to the membership. With Gemma on board this problem has now been resolved.

Sue has handed over the role of treasurer to Mervyn Cottenden. No we haven't lost Sue from the group she has fessed up to having a real desire to take on the role of Membership Secretary!

KRAG would also like to welcome three new members to the group: Alex Harper, Kari Radbourne and Rosemary Hoare. We have a full programme of herp related activities planned for the coming year. Now that Gemma has offered to take over the newsletter we will even be able to let you know what they are!!

Development control, local authorities and protected species

English Nature have recently published a review of how local authorities deal with protected species in the planning system. It makes very interesting reading.

"Development control, local authorities and protected species" - can be viewed here.

In particular I would draw your attention to the following conclusions:

"... the principal of pre-determination surveys should become more firmly established".

"... a more structured and consistent approach to dealing with protected species in development control is likely to lead to financial and time savings for both applicant and local authority, as well as better conservation of protected species and their habitats."