Herptile Survey and Identification
Tuesday 8 April 2008
Location: Skipwith Common SAC, North Yorkshire
Participant Standard: Beginner - Intermediate
Tutor(s): Gordon Haycock CEnv MIEEM and James Mortimer MIEEM
The morning will focus on identification and survey of reptiles, followed by a reptile survey in the field. The afternoon will focus on amphibian identification, ecology and survey techniques. This will be followed by fieldwork utilising the survey methods and equipment on the waterbodies present on the Common. The workshop will include night work and optional early morning visit to ponds on Wednesday 9 April.
Further details about the workshop
This workshop will cover:
- ecology and identification of native reptiles
- techniques for reptile survey
- ecology and identification of native amphibians including great crested newt
- techniques for amphibian survey
- discussion of management and habitat requirements;
- health and safety; and
- practical herptile survey work.
The day will include survey on Skipwith Common which has grass snake, common lizard and adder along with five amphibian species including great crested newt. An optional night-time amphibian survey on the evening of 8th April and morning visit on 9th April to the ponds to collect bottle traps are also proposed if participants are interested.
Who should attend this workshop?
People undertaking the National Amphibian and Reptile Survey with Herpetological Conservation Trust and anyone interested in carrying out amphibian or reptile surveys.
Environmental consultants and conservation volunteers alike looking to increase their knowledge of herptiles and gain a Great Crested Newt licence.
Anything participants need to know/read before coming on the training event, or need to have with them?
Bring with you:
- Dress for the weather
Packed lunch
Torch (0.5 million candle power) – if attending the torch counting session.
Wellington Boots / Waders
What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
- How to identify a our common amphibians and reptiles (incl. great crested newt)
- How to survey for our common amphibians (incl. great crested newt) using bottle traps, refuge searching, netting, egg searching and torching
Programme:
Tuesday 8th April
10:00 Workshop start, Health and Safety briefing
10:10 Introduction
10:20 Identification and Survey of Reptiles
11:20 Tea/Coffee break
11:40 Identification and Survey of Amphibians of Yorkshire
12:40 Lunch
13:30 Field visit to Skipwith Common to demonstrate and practice amphibian survey techniques (netting, refuge searching, bottle trapping and egg searching)
15:15 Field visit to Skipwith Common to demonstrate reptile survey techniques
17:00 Return to classroom for debrief
17:15 Finish, collect feedback forms and give out CPD certificates
18:00 Optional visit to village pub for a meal
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19.30 Optional session - laying bottle traps for real and amphibian torch survey.
Wed 9th April
07:30 Optional meet at Skipwith and retrieve the bottle traps
Cost: £60 IEEM members, £120 non-members.