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Sand Lizard Releases

Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: Herpetofauna Native to the UK
Forum Name: Sand Lizard
Forum Description: Forum for all issues concerning Lacerta agilis
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4981
Printed Date: 29 Mar 2024 at 12:00pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Sand Lizard Releases
Posted By: Iowarth
Subject: Sand Lizard Releases
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2015 at 10:31pm
Hi everyone

Well, I have just returned from my annual pilgrimage to the North East of the homeland (that's Wales!) for this year's lizard release.

As many of you are aware, the last stronghold of the sand lizard was in North East Wales although even there they went extinct some 70 years ago. We did one series of releases starting 12 years ago and a second 3 years ago a couple of kilometres away from the first. This visit saw the completion of that release - so they are well and truly returned.

You don't need me to tell you that this has been a bad summer and as a consequence of this and licensing issues productivity was low this year. Nonetheless Ray Lynch and Paul Hudson (both forum members) had managed to produce 34 young on which they are to be congratulated. That brought the total animals released here to well in excess of the required 150 minimum.

About 30 people attended including local volunteers and a contingent from Bangor Uni Herpetological Society who have been volunteering here as well.

After the release, some of us took advantage of an hours worth of sunshine to do some monitoring. Several sandies were seen including, most importantly, some hatchlings - once again despite the bad summer.

The whole event was superbly managed by Mandy Cartwright who also had a lovely surprise for some of us. She had made a number of celebratory plaques which she presented to Mick Brummage who has been the mainstay of local expertise, training and monitoring, Ray Lynch and Paul Hudson who have bred and provided many of the animals released and, for some strange reason, me as well!

Mick Brown and Mandy Cartwright with one of the two release groups:-



Ray Lynch and Mick Brummage with the other group (mainly Bangor Uni)


One of the juveniles, just sloughing, being released


And one of the females seen when we were monitoring


And lastly, one of the lovely plaques made by Mandy (location deliberately obscured!)


Chris


-------------
Chris Davis, Site Administrator

Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)



Replies:
Posted By: Richard2
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2015 at 11:48pm
Superb!


Posted By: will
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2015 at 7:05am
terrific work, glad to know there were some hatchlings seen in spite of the poor season.


Posted By: Tom Omlette
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2015 at 8:28am
what a fantastic effort. well done chris and everyone!

tom




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