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The
annual Big Garden Birdwatch has long been a fixture of the naturalist’s
calendar. Today, thirty years after the first Garden Birdwatch in 1979, the
British Trust for Ornithology has teamed up with the soon-to-merge herp
charities Froglife and the Herpetological Conservation Trust (see accompanying
story) to extend the popular scheme to amphibians and reptiles.
The
perhaps less catchily-named Reptiles and Amphibians in Your Garden
survey aims to increase our knowledge of these animal groups by
collating information on the factors affecting the presence of different
amphibian and reptile species in gardens. Although similar schemes have
been trailed regionally in the past, this will be the first national
effort of its kind.
Common frogs, smooth newts, slow worms and grass snakes are most likely
to be found in gardens, but any of Britain’s 13 native species of amphibian
and reptile can potentially occur in these situations. Volunteers are
asked to complete a simple survey form indicating the identity of both
native and exotic species seen in their gardens between January 2008
(not 2009) and June 2009, and to answer questions about instances of
frog mortality, ponds and other habitat features nearby.
Around 16,000 volunteers participate annually in the Annual Birdwatch,
and the BTO aims to recruit many of these to assist with the new reptile
and amphibian survey. In addition, John Baker of the HCT remarks that
“it would be great to have some input from herpers”. In all, it is hoped
that more than 20,000 people will become involved in the project. For the benefit of
people with less herpetological experience, the survey pack includes a
pull-out amphibian and reptile identification guide.
Baker points out that garden surveys have proven to be an effective and
efficient way to gather information on the distribution of reptiles and
amphibians in urban and suburban areas, and that the new survey will
"complement other studies that are tracking the fate of amphibians and
reptiles in the British countryside" . Froglife’s Jules Howard adds
“We need to know what's happening so that we can direct resources to the
right areas in the future”.
Survey forms can be obtained by emailing Angela Reynolds at
angela.reynolds@herpcontrust.org.uk, and should be returned by the
end of this July. Both Froglife and the HCT would be very grateful to
anyone who can take part in this year’s survey and help to spread the
word to other herpers.
Amphibian and Reptile Charities to Merge
Reptiles and Amphibians in Your Garden is just one way in which the
Herpetological Conservation Trust and Froglife, two of Britain’s leading
amphibian and reptile charities, are working together to advance
conservation of these animals in Britain. This week, Tony Gent and Kathy
Wormald, Chief Executive Officers of HCT and Froglife respectively,
formally announced the intent of the two organisations to merge into a
single organisation.
The
new charity, to be called the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust,
will present a unified voice on herpetological issues, and will provide
a “stronger basis for conserving amphibians and reptiles” in the UK at a
time when declines in British populations represent a particular cause
for concern.
The
details and timescale involved have yet been finalised. Until the
proposed merger goes ahead each charity will continue to operate and
liaise with funding bodies independently, and both CEOs stress that both
organisations are dedicated to fulfilling all current project
commitments. In the meantime, the charities will increasingly work
towards a common set of goals, and through joint projects such as the
reptile and amphibian garden survey.
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