Monitoring the Common Lizard

Dear All.

I have started to keep records of the common lizards and slow worms sighted in my garden. I have noticed that members are posting sightings of various reptiles. Other postings I have noticed members ask if any research has been done in particular areas (e.g. slow worms on/under tins).

I am a science teacher, teach biology to Alevel and having completed a BSc and and MSc in Biological Sciences I so have a fair understanding of ecology and scientific research. So I was wondering if there is any useful research I could do, definitely over the next 4 weeks possibly over a longer period.

Immediate questions perhaps members may be able to help me with:

a) What is the basic useful information for a survey? (Currently I record, date, time, weather, location and am trying to map the locations of individuals over time). The population lives on a piece of overgrown land in my garaden (anout 2mx3m) this backs onto a much larger area of very overgrown grassland.

b) Currently I rarely disturb the lizards, I have handled one injured (caught by my cat  and a couple of "slow" juveniles), but record sightings backed up by digital photos when I can. What is a good way of estimating population size? Is it ok to catch and handle them? - is it necessary?

c) Any ideas of mini projects? (I have access to a variety of data loggers, digital light meters, temperature sensors etc).

Thanks in anticipation. PS I tried to add a picture of three of the lizard population but can't cut and paste, any advice on how to post images in the forum!

Thanks for the tip Gemma - I think I've done it.

This is actually a pic of a very lucky moment this morning. I usually have my camera in the garden with me, and heard a struggle in the border, to my surprise this common lizard had just caught a spider and I managed to get a pic of it!!!! Hope you like.