Reptile Survey (Best Practice)
Wednesday 21 – Thursday 22 April 2010
Location: Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire
Tutor: Jon Cranfield MIEEM
Level: Beginner – Intermediate
A two-day workshop relating to best practice in planning and implementing a reptile survey. The techniques used to sample the widespread reptiles will be covered through the first classroom session with case studies. The workshop will involve practical demonstrations of survey techniques, recording and handling of reptiles at local field sites. The current best practice for reptile surveys will be discussed in the second classroom session.
NB. Accommodation IS NOT included in the cost of this workshop.
IEEM Members £160 (£140 if booked before 21 February 2010).
Non-members £320 (£280 if booked before 21 February 2010).
Further details about the workshop
Implementing reptile surveys is an important task for consultants, local ecologists and conservation managers. The inclusion of the widespread reptiles within the National Biodiversity Action Plan should now mean that reptiles should be considered not just as ‘protected species’ but as species which need to be conserved in their own right.
All the British reptiles have undergone declines in status across the UK. It is important to try and carry out reptile surveys which follow the current best practice to ensure that presence/absence is determined, the distribution and abundance of records, and important habitat features are properly recorded within reptile surveys. The course aims to demonstrate the subtle differences of the ecology of the snakes compared to the lizards.
The workshop will show interested parties how best to survey reptiles and map important habitat features which will enable more sympathetic management practices. The workshop will teach ecologists how to plan and implement mitigation strategies based on the interpretation of reptile survey results.
The issue of reporting survey data to local records centre will be discussed and it is hoped that consultants will in future send in records.
Proper handling of reptiles for processing and photo identification techniques will be demonstrated in the field.
Who should attend this workshop?
Anyone who is interested in learning about how to undertake reptile surveys. The workshop is aimed at ecologists, planners, conservationists who undertake works which may affect widespread reptiles and their conservation status.
Anything participants need to know/read before coming on the training event, or need to have with them?
Bring:
- Walking boots.
- Warm clothing.
- A packed lunch.
- Note pad/pen.
Read:
- Reptile Survey Advice Sheet 10 by Froglife.
- Herpetofauna Workers Manual.
What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
- Know how to identify, age and sex the 4 widespread species of reptile.
- How to handle reptiles safely for processing (including adders).
- To plan a reptile survey based on habitat assessments (reptile suitability index).
- Implement a reptile survey according to best practice guidelines.
- Interpret the survey results to plan future mitigation measures to conserve and enhance the conservation status of reptiles within development related and conservation management schemes.