Shropshire Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG)

Welcome to the webpage for the Shropshire Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG) which has been reformed in 2009.

Initially the group is hoping to act as a communication network for people carrying out Amphibian & Reptile monitoring in Shropshire.

Many of us met on an HCT training course and decided we would like to have an Amphibian & Reptile Group in Shropshire as a focus for any monitoring and training. We are mostly relatively new to Amphibian & Reptile monitoring, though we have a range of skill level and experience, and are all enthusiastic about developing our skills.

We have established a skeleton acting comittee to act as a point of contact for the Shropshire Amphibian & Reptile Group.

In the first instance for more information about joining the Shropshire ARG please contact Fran Lancaster (acting chair) on 01743 252578 or at ShropshireARG@gmail.com

 We are all very keen to build on our experience so if you are an experienced Reptile or Amphibian surveyor who might be willing to lead a field excursion or have one (or some) of us join you on a survey visit we would love to hear from you.

If you have reptile or amphibian records you would like to pass on please send them to Fran Lancaster at ShropshireARG@gmail.com

Please include: who made the record, a grid reference, which species seen and the date. If you are unsure which species you have seen but have a photograph we will do our best to identify it.

Herpetological Conservation Trust Training in Shropshire

 A group of volunteers and conservation staff from local authorities and conservation charities received Amphibian and Reptile Training from the Herpetological Conservation Trust at the Field Studies Centre at Preston Montford in April 2009.

During the two day training course attendees learned how to identify UK species of Amphibians and Reptiles, studied survey techniques and covered important aspects of ecology and habitat requirements which will help manage Shropshire habitats for the benefit of Amphibians and Reptiles in the future.

 The training course also provided opportunities to practice the survey methods we had covered in the classroom including carrying out some netting, torching and bottle trapping for amphibians in the ponds at Preston Montford under supervision and to practice our new identification skills.

During the training course it became clear that there was considerable interest in resurrecting the Shropshire Amphibian and Reptile Group.  Around fifteen people either working or volunteering in Shropshire got together in one of the breaks to have a brief meeting and to establish a skeleton committee whose details can be found at the top of this page. Initially the Shropshire ARG is going to act as a network for those interested in surveying for Amphibians and Reptiles in Shropshire and will hopefully develop opportunities to provide further training in the future.   

Photos © Dan Wrench

Useful Organisations and Resources for Amphibians & Reptiles

Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Trust has formed from the merger of Herpetological Conservation Trust and Froglife.

>Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Trust is the first stop for advice, information and news on amphibian & reptile species in the UK.

The National Amphibian & Reptile Recording Scheme - NARRS launched in 2007 and has since seen 1400 people taking part in surveying a square for reptiles or amphibians.

You can Add an Adder or Report an alien reptile or amphibian speices on the NARRS website.

Click here to access the NARRS website