Herpetofauna Workers Meeting 2006


The amazing and probably unique thing about the Herp. Workers meeting, held in Coventry last weekend, was the way in which both professionals and amateurs met, discussed, and ate in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

Being new to the study of amphibians and reptiles I was not sure of what your average 'Herp Worker' was like, nor what to expect when they congregate. However, the whole meeting was well organised and held in the modern and spacious facilities of the University. Interestingly I found that my attempt to blend into the background and hide at the back was in fact a common move for 'Herp Workers' and so found myself in the thick of a semi-recumbent but highly attentive audience.

The talks and topics chosen were relevant for both expert and newcomer while giving the opportunity to gain an overview of the current UK situation for amphibians and reptiles, as well as the latest thinking on issues of distribution, monitoring and conservation.

The first day was taken up with presentations and we heard about the importance of the ARG networks as a countrywide set of local groups each with its own particular distinctiveness. That afternoon was one of the highlights as one speaker after another gave accounts of their recent work and several KRAG members shared their expertise. Following from an account of the project to reintroduce the Pool Frog into the UK, Dr Lee Brady stunned the audience with provisional figures for the huge potential for Great Crested Newts in Kent. No doubt leaving many members even keener to get out and survey their patches. Before we had time to absorb the significance of this (I still haven’t) David Sewell presented his findings on torching and trapping, which pointed to the crucial importance of standardisation of method. Can anyone lend me a decent torch?

Jim Foster

Jim Foster Recounting the Amazing Pool Frog Story (Photo: David Orchard)


Brett Lewis followed with an account of the problems of newts and building development introducing me to the idea that, even if a pond is saved from development, it can still be threatened by being isolated and so cut off the routes by which newts colonise new ponds.

Day two offered a series of workshops which gave me the opportunity to get closely involved with discussing issues such as conservation and planning law relating to surveying. And here I attempted to pass on what I had recently learned about the need for diversity of vegetation to encourage adders and other reptiles. Only to learn that this idea may ruffle the odd feather in some circles as the conventions of management incline towards a short sward that favours chalk grassland plants!

So it was a most enjoyable event, which seemed to show that the ARG’s, at this point in time at least, can achieve the seemingly impossible of catering for both beginners and experts. Clearly there is a tremendous amount of highly technical work going on but also they have not forgotten those who’s involvement is limited through time or experience.

Philip Bellingham
(KRAG Member)

Posted: Tue - February 7, 2006 at 06:23 pm        

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