Newts Letter 37 Spring 2005

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    This is yournewsletter so feel free to write, e-mail or phone if you are moved to make a contribution, orif there is some topic you feel we could cover. As editor I will always be pleased to hear from you.

    Patrick Roper, South View, Churchland Lane, Sedlescombe, East Sussex TN33 0PF.Tel: 01424 870993 and 870208, e-mail [email protected]

    Newtsletter Number 37, Winter/Spring 2005

    CHAIRPERSONS REVIEW OF 2004

    In this edition:

    Chairpersons review

    Report on regional Conference atEast Grinstead.

    Managing herp records. Lancing College survey.

    Thoughts of a new member.

    Farewell to Mike Barker.

    Environment-friendly fourawarded recognition

    Forthcoming events.

    Membership in 2005.

    Reviews:

    Dragonflies of Sussex

    Managing dune-slacks for newtsand natterjacks.

    Amphibian monitoring commontoads and natterjacks.

    Dear Members, another year has passed by and, as ever, we see new challenges all the time. Last year was

    particularly busy for the committee as we hosted the South East HGBI Conference in November. This took

    a great deal of organizing and I would like to thankeveryone that came to the conference and those of you

    involved in the organization. I hope that you allenjoyed the day and would strongly recommend to

    those members who could not come to try next time, asyou will have the chance to meet lots of likeminded

    people and perhaps learn something new. We had lotsof key speakers lined up for the day which included

    excellent talks from Sue Young from the Kent ARG,Rob Free on Heathland Regeneration, Chris Todd

    South Downs Conservation Board, Henri BrocklebankSussex Biodiversity Centre & her team, Matt Shardlow

    from Bug Life, Jim Foster from English Nature, MikeFrost from Southern Water and Trevor Beebee,

    University of Sussex, on toads.

    This leads me on to the subject of Toads on the Roads.Last spring was different; we had very good news from

    two crossings that had previously gone into decline.The two sites had large numbers of toads on the move

    these included the site near Lewes Offham road. Theother site was Litlington where toad crossing had

    almost ceased however, for some reason, the toads areback, which is excellent news. If anyone wants to help at either of these crossings this spring please contact

    me on 01825 890236 [email protected] On the other hand, a site near Uckfield, whichalways had a steady flow of toads, frogs and newts, reported only a handful on the move WHY? I cant tellyou although it would seem that all things have a cycle which will see good and bad years in the long-term

    population of a pond. All that we can hope for is that the good news continues this spring. Toads havealready been reported back on the road at Barcombe and, depending on the weather, more will quickly

    follow. Please drive carefully and if you spot toads on a road near you please let me know. It is also worth

    mentioning if any of you have been involved at old crossings where the toads have subsequently gone intodecline to check again this spring as they may be back.

    Jenny Bacon

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    Newtsletter No. 37 Winter/Spring 2005 Newsletter of the Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group

    WHAT DO I DO WITH MY RECORDS?

    On the role of the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre and how it works with SARG by Henri

    Brocklebank the Centres manager.

    Since the publication of the SARG Millennium Atlas in 2000, the Sussex Biodiversity Record

    Centre (SxBRC) has held the SARG records in its species database. One would think thatcollating wildlife records is a relatively simple procedure, but the technical aspects of

    biological recording can be fraught with complications!

    SxBRC is supported by a number of organisations who need access to biodiversity data in

    order to achieve their own objectives. These organisations currently include the statutory

    agencies (English Nature and the Environment Agency), local authorities from across Sussex,

    conservation bodies (Sussex Wildlife Trust and the South Downs Conservation Board) and

    Southern Water. The funding supplied by these data users, and the office space provided by

    the Sussex Wildlife Trust, enables SxBRC to pool the data of the many biological recorders

    that are active in Sussex.

    A range of formats

    The first complication is that the data arrives in a range of formats: dragonfly data on

    recording cards, aquatic mammal data on Excel spreadsheets and frog and toad data from the

    hand-written returns of a leaflet mail out. Somehow, all of this data needs to be brought

    together into one system.

    Sussex is not the only county to have a Local Record Centre (LRC). Every county in

    Southeast England is covered by one as is nearly all the rest of the UK. In light of this the

    Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) took the initiative to design one database forLRCs and recorders to use that would mean that, for the first time, species data would be

    compatible throughout the whole of the UK. It has taken several years to develop but we are

    now pretty much there. This means that the Sussex amphibian and reptile data is sitting in the

    same system as Sussex bat and lichen records and in a form compatible with similar data held

    in record centres and conservation organisations across Britain.

    How records are used

    You may well wonder what we are using your data for. SxBRC reports on the biodiversity of

    Sussex to over 500 enquiries each year. This includes enquiries from the general public, and

    environmental consultancies, conservation organisations and SxBRC partners. The RecordCentre holds over 640,000 records from over 2,500 recorders. It holds details of more than

    2,000 wildlife surveys covering over 20,000 sites in Sussex and maintains inventories of over

    3,400 rare and protected species. And these numbers are increasing all the time. The Centre

    can provide information on statutory and non-statutory sites including Sites of Special

    Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and

    information about special habitats such as ancient woodland or grazing marsh.

    Passing your records on

    With the Record Centre holding SARG data what should you be doing with your records?

    Here are some options.

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    1. If you are NOT using a computer at home and only have occasional records, keep a list.We need to know: what species, where (including grid reference), the date and who

    recorded it. Any extra information about sex/stage and abundance is also most welcome.

    Send these lists to the Record Centre periodically and we can add the records directly to

    the SARG dataset within our database.

    2. If you are using a computer which has Excel and a web link, download Species Recorderfrom our website. This is a simple spreadsheet designed to make data entry quick, easy

    and compatible with SxBRC systems. E-mail these lists to the Record Centre periodically

    and we can add the records directly to the SARG dataset within our database. Species

    Recorder is compatible with Excel 97, Excel 2000, XP, or Excel 2003.

    3. If you use another computer-based system for maintaining your records, you can print outyour records and send them in to the Record Centre. Alternatively, you can e-mail your

    records in the form of a comma-delimited text file. Call Charles Roper at the Record

    Centre (01273 497554) to discuss the options. In either case, the minimum information

    we need is the name of the species, where (including grid reference), the date and the

    name of the recorder.

    The address to send your records is Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre, Woods Mill,

    Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD, phone 01273 497554 or 01273 497521. E-mail your

    records to [email protected], to find out more about the Record Centre and

    its work, see the website at: www.sxbrc.org.uk.

    SxBRC will be updating SARG annually on the herpetological data held on their behalf.

    Please send in your records so that we can include them in this and other reports.

    Henri Brocklebank, Manager, Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre

    0

    500

    1000

    1500

    2000

    2500

    3000

    Ameri

    canB

    ullfro

    g

    Comm

    onFrog

    Comm

    onToad

    Comm

    onTree

    Frog

    Edibl

    eFrog

    GreatC

    rested

    Newt

    Marsh

    Frog

    Natte

    rjack

    Toad

    Newt

    Palm

    ateNewt

    PoolFr

    og

    Smooth

    Newt

    Adde

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    GrassS

    nake

    Sand

    Lizard

    Slow-W

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    Smooth

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    Vivipa

    rousLiza

    rd

    Wall

    Lizard

    Number of Records of each Herp species held at SxBRC November 2004

    3

    mailto:[email protected]://www.sxbrc.org.uk/http://www.sxbrc.org.uk/mailto:[email protected]
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    Newtsletter No. 37 Winter/Spring 2005 Newsletter of the Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group

    THE SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL CONFERENCE

    A highlight of the year was our hosting the Regional Amphibian & Reptile Conference at the

    Meridian Hall in East Grinstead in November 2004. Some 80 people attended from all over

    the region and, as well as some excellent speakers, there were stands and stalls and plenty of

    opportunity to mix and talk with like-minded enthusiasts about the past season and future

    possibilities.

    Toad decline

    The first speakers of the day were Professor Trevor Beebee, from the University of Sussex,

    well-known as co-author of the New Naturalist book on amphibians and reptiles and of many

    important scientific papers, and Sue Young from the Kent Wildlife Trust. Dr Beebee spoke

    of the decline of toads at Offham in East Sussex at a site he has studied for many years. He

    pointed out that frogs had not been similarly affected and that toadpoles preferred ditches that

    had been cleared of weed. Indeed, ditch management may be, he suggested, one of the most

    important factors in toad welfare.

    The matter of these amphibians being killed on roads may not be as critical an issue as is

    often thought and further research work needs to be done. One hypothesis, for example, is

    that with increasing traffic more of the country lanes crossed by toads are being used as rat

    runs. Another suggestion is that with climate change toads may be spawning earlier and

    hitting the rush hour.

    Sue Young said that frogs take advantage of garden ponds, whereas toads need larger water

    bodies, though toads appear to be less susceptible to disease than frogs.

    Interestingly, and worryingly, we learnt that statistical analysis had shown that questionnairesurveys may under-estimate the level of decline.

    Much of the work of Trevor Beebee and Susan Young on the common toad is covered in the

    English Nature research Report mentioned under Amphibian monitoring below.

    Greensand heaths

    Rob Free of the Sussex Wealden Greensand Heaths Project spoke of heathland decline and its

    many causes. He talked about methods of restoration and of managing heather to create

    stands of different age. The presence of bare ground was particularly important for reptiles

    and a wide range of invertebrates. Wet heath is also a valuable dimension of the habitatmosaic and can be created by managing water flows.

    South Downs and the Record Centre

    Our next speakers were Chris Todd of the South Downs Campaign and Henri Brocklebank,

    manager of the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre.

    Chris spoke of the importance of National Park status for the Downs and explained the basis

    on which the concept had developed. He also highlighted the various difficulties that had to

    be overcome in establishing the project.

    One particularly good piece of news he announced was that the a bid had been made to

    include the Newhaven Tidemills with its high amphibian interest in the National Park.

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    Henri Brocklebank spoke on the increasingly complex task of collecting, storing and making

    available the growing number of biological records by local record centres in South East

    England and elsewhere. The main points of her talk are covered in the article she has written

    for this edition of Newtsletter.

    Food for herps

    After lunch Matt Shardlow, conservation director of Buglife, pointed out that 98% of animal

    species are invertebrates and highlighted their importance for reptiles and amphibians. He

    spoke lucidly on one of his favourite topics of brownfield sites, so often regarded as only of

    interest to developers. But they hold a wealth of wildlife that particularly flourishes in the

    range of habitats found in them. As well as bare ground and early successional niches there

    are often remnants of classic locations that have been by-passed by earlier agriculture and

    development.

    One of the conclusions at a recent conference on invertebrate conservation on brownfield sites

    was that those that have become critically important for wildlife should be re-branded toprotect them from unsuitable development as phoenix sites.

    Herpetological challenges

    Jim Foster, English Natures amphibian and reptile

    specialist who covers national policy, spoke on the

    current challenges in the conservation of

    herpetofauna. There are many relevant issues to be

    constantly reviewed: agriculture, development,

    habitat creation, invasive alien species and so on.

    Ranavirus is a new epidemic disease offrogs and it was most likely introducedto Britain from North America accordingto Dr Andrew Cunningham, Head ofWildlife Epidemiology at the Institute ofZoology. Ranavirus causes systemichaemorrhages and/or skin ulcerationsand eventually death in infectedamphibians.

    Chytridiomycosis is a fungal diseaseof amphibians that was discovered inAustralia and Panama in 1998. It cancause mass amphibian mortality andpopulation decline. There is emergingevidence to show that its recent spreadis through people moving its hosts ortheir parasites to new locations. Onepossible carrier is the bullfrog which istraded globally as a food item and isresistant to the infection.

    Not only do our beleaguered species have to

    contend with the major habitat losses caused by

    rapid development in South East England, pond fish

    are generally incompatible with amphibians and

    there are herpetiles diseases such as ranavirus with

    the possibility that chytridiomycosis might arrive in

    the UK from overseas1.

    Details of chytridiomycosis can be found at:

    http://www.conservationmedicine.org/amphib.htm

    Habitat creation of, for example, new heathland

    could really help amphibians and reptiles, and there

    is a particular interest in the establishment or restoration of ponds and their subsequent

    management. In this context Jim reminded us that 90% of great crested newt breeding ponds

    are probably agricultural in origin rather than having been formed by natural processes.

    1 It is understood that it may now (January 2004) have arrived here. Further details in the next Newtsletter. Ed.

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    Bursting with newts

    Our last speaker was Mike Frost from Southern Water who pointed out that one in four of the

    ponds they had surveyed in Sussex and Kent were used by great crested newts and that this

    species appeared to be widely distributed, but in low numbers.

    Large sums of money can often be spent on installing reptile and amphibian proof fencingaround sensitive sites where development work may be due to take place, but the low number

    of animals caught by pitfall trapping under these circumstances calls into question the value

    of these exercises. The focus now is on creating more and better habitat as part of the wildlife

    mitigation process.

    This last presentation generated a very lively and interesting discussion on how to tackle the

    increasing number of issues in a region where people want more factories, houses and roads,

    with all the demand this creates for commodities like water while, at the same time,

    conserving and enhancing the countryside and its wildlife which is an important dimension

    for those wanting to come and live and work here.

    The home team

    We must say a wholehearted thank you to Jenny Bacon, Barry Kemp, Su Pitcher and many

    other members of SARG who put in a great deal of work in helping to make the day the

    success that it was.

    LANCING COLLEGE SURVEY

    Our survey work of the ponds and dykes in the grounds of Lancing College continued with a

    visit in mid-September 2004 led by Barry Kemp. No amphibians or reptiles, including thetarget great crested newt, were found on this occasion but we hope to return from time to time

    as this is a promising habitat with past records of GCNs and a positive, well-resourced

    conservation policy.

    Further details of our field visit to Lancing are covered in the article by Sean Saull-Hunt

    below.

    THOUGHTS FROM A NEW MEMBER

    I joined SARG in summer 2004 as I am very keen to improve my knowledge of reptiles andamphibians and to meet other people who have an interest. I have lived in the East Sussex

    countryside for most of my life and, like many, am familiar with our commoner herps (as I

    have now learnt to call them) and want to help in giving them as much of a chance as possible

    now and in the future.

    Having been a keen fly fisherman when I was younger, I became more interested in the

    environment the fish lived in when I started to notice a decline in the quality of their

    habitat several years ago. When I looked more deeply into the biodiversity of our lakes and

    ponds, it became apparent that there was much more going on beneath the surface than I had

    ever imagined. Waters that had previously been of no interest to me suddenly became

    significant. It is exciting to look more closely at these ponds and to try and find out as muchabout them as possible to help in their conservation.

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    Soon after becoming a member I was invited along to the SARG Lancing College field trip

    mentioned above. Our first survey site was the Ladywell Valley Pond and its adjacent dyke

    to the north of the college. We dip-netted here for an

    hour or so and found plenty of dragonfly larvae and

    other water beasts, but no amphibians.

    Patrick Roper, our Newtsletter editor who is also theSussex recorder for diptera (two-winged flies) was a

    pupil at Lancing College in the 1950s and it was his

    impression that the insect population was much

    lower than it would have been all those years ago.

    Many are reaching the same conclusion all over

    Britain: that numbers of aquatic, or partly aquatic,

    invertebrates are falling rapidly with the consequent

    effects on all the creatures that use them as food

    birds, bats, fish, spiders and, of course, amphibians.

    After our visit to the Ladywell Valley, we headedback to our meeting place at College Farm to survey

    the large pond there. Carp have been introduced

    here and this is clearly not in the interest of any great

    crested newts (which were once recorded from a drain a few metres from the pond).

    However, we searched until the sun went down but found nothing of any consequence other

    than one dead carp.

    Author and Su Pitcher, Ladywell Pond

    On the way home, despite having seen no amphibians during this, my first SARG field trip,

    we were talking about great crested newts and other species and I am really looking forward

    to returning to Lancing College and visiting other sites, maybe after dark with a torch, hoping

    to see in the water that flash of orange and silver on the belly and tail of a newt that

    characterises a great crested.

    Since damaging my back in a fall while working as a tree surgeon, my outlook on many

    things has changed. I now relish the thought of learning more about the creatures with which

    we share this island and feel that, in a sense, reptiles and amphibians have helped to set me on

    a new direction in life.

    We have plenty of ponds and other habitats in my home area that have not been properly

    investigated and for which there is no management plan. Often they are at risk from

    agricultural operations or development. Through my new membership of SARG, I hope I canmake some small difference to the fortunes of these habitats and all the animals and plants

    that depend upon them and one of my top priorities for 2005 will be to go on some reptile and

    amphibian training courses.

    Sean Saull-Hunt

    Mountfield, East Sussex. E-mail: [email protected]

    WARMER WINTERS

    On December 15 2004, the Daily Express carried a two-page feature about spring in

    December with records of early appearances (or late disappearances) of a wide range of floraand fauna during the colder months.

    7

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    On the amphibian front they said the earliest frogspawn ever recorded has appeared in

    Pembrokeshire and they reported that newts had returned to ponds at Port Isaac, Cornwall in

    mid-December. In Sussex toads were reported to be on the move in early January at

    Barcombe.

    On the UK Phenology Networks website - http://www.phenology.org.uk/- (always fun to

    visit) there is the report of frogspawn from Pembrokeshire in November 2004, followed bythe familiar early sighting from the Lizard, Cornwall, on 16th December. In my own garden

    at Sedlescombe, East Sussex, bumble bees and hoverflies have been on the wing on warmer

    days throughout the winter, though flowering plants seem to be more or less on schedule.

    However, I shall certainly be looking for reptiles and amphibians on a continuous basis and

    would be grateful for reports of any early sightings from members.

    FAREWELL TO MIKE BARKER

    Our council member, Mike Barker who did so much work on

    reptiles and amphibians with the Environment Agency, madea career move to Bristol late last year. Mike has done a

    tremendous amount to further the welfare of herpetiles

    during his time in East Sussex and has done a great deal to

    help and encourage members of SARG play a more

    important role.

    At the Regional Conference in November he was presented

    with a leaving gift on behalf of the Society by Alf Simpson

    (see picture right with Mike on the left) and we wish him all

    the very best for his future.

    REVIEWS

    Sussex dragonflies

    Most SARG members will encounter a wide range of dragonfly species during their forays into marsh and heath,

    or on their investigations around ponds and canals. In Sussex we

    currently have 29 resident species of damsel and dragonfly as well

    as regular and scarcer visitors. In this fine new book each of themain species is covered with a double-page spread with a

    comprehensive text, superb photographs and a distribution map.

    There are chapters on dragonfly recording, the species we have lostand won, conservation, building a garden pond and good sites to

    visit. The photographs and maps are of astonishingly high quality

    and the printing does them full justice.

    At 7.95 this will make an attractive and useful edition to anyone

    with a love of our aquatic flora and fauna in Sussex. The book can

    be ordered via the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre.

    Belden, P. A., Downer, V. J., Luck, J. G., Prendergast, H. D. V& Sadler, D. (2004) The Dragonflies of Sussex. Essedon Press,

    Forest Row, East Sussex for the Sussex Branch of the British

    Dragonfly Society.

    8

    http://www.phenology.org.uk/http://www.phenology.org.uk/
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    Managing dune-slacks for newts and natterjacks

    An environmental impact assessment and other work on the Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR to the north of Liverpool

    has shed much light on the management of dune slacks for amphibians such as great crested newts and natterjack

    toads and their associated flora and fauna.

    The full environmental statement can be downloaded from the English Nature website. Enter ainsdale in the

    search bar, or go to:

    http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/PDF/ESFinal7_04.pdf

    Apart from a rather dubious (to my mind) record from Ifield Pond in 1978, the natterjack is long gone from

    Sussex, though I suspect it must once have occurred in the Camber dunes as well as on some of the sandier

    inland commons. It is, however, quite common in the dunes around the Baie de Somme immediately across the

    Channel and might one day be considered a candidate for re-establishment.

    The great crested newt is widespread in the Rye area and might well benefit from better management of dune

    slacks.

    Amphibian monitoring common toads and natterjacks

    Trevor Beebee and John Buckley have published a paper on monitoring the conservation status of the natterjack

    toad in Britain. While this may be a somewhat academic exercise so far as Sussex is concerned, the findings

    could be useful in survey work on other amphibians (and reptiles) especially the common toad about which we

    have had considerable anxiety in recent years.

    This is covered in some detail in an English Nature research report An investigation of recent declines in the

    common toadBufo bufoby Susan Young and Trevor Beebee (available online as a PDF file, or by calling the

    English Nature publications department).

    Buckley, J. & Beebee, T. (2004) Monitoring the conservation status of an endangeredamphibian: the natterjack toadBufo calamita in Britain. Animal Conservation7 (3): 221-

    228.

    Young, S. L. & Beebee, T. J. C. (2004) An investigation of recent declines in thecommon toadBufo bufo. English Nature Research Report No.584, English Nature,

    Peterborough

    HERPETRIVIA

    Ranunculus. As homunculus is Latin for little man so ranunculus, the generic name for buttercups, means

    little frog. This might be due to the propensity of these plants to grow in damp places or, perhaps, from the

    shape of the leaves.

    The Romans liked to disparage their neighbours the Ulubrae, who lived near the Pontine Marshes, by referring to

    them as Ranunculi. They were similarly disparaging towards the British in their use of the termBritannunculi (Little Britons).

    ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY FOUR AWARDED RECOGNITION

    Four South East Water employees have been officially recognised for the vital role they play in safeguarding the

    Sussex environment. The two senior managers and two conservation rangers have achieved special

    environmental status as part of their day to day work. Kevin Clark, regional production manager for South East

    Water, received Chartered Environmentalist status from the Institution of Water Officers, on behalf of the

    Society for the Environment. Emma Goddard, sustainable development manager (and a member of the SARG

    Committee), and conservation rangers Megan Klaar and Richard Dyer, have been awarded their great crested

    newt handling licences. All four are passionate about sustainable development.

    Kevin, who has been with the water company for 28 years said: Sustainable development means a better

    quality of life for everyone; its about being able to look at what we need now without jeopardising the needs offuture generations. As a manager, I recognised at a very early stage that there can be environmental benefits

    along with cost benefits when addressing sustainability issues.

    9

    http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/PDF/ESFinal7_04.pdfhttp://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/PDF/ESFinal7_04.pdf
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    Gaining ISO 14001 accreditation for Barcombe water treatment works was a significant achievement for Kevin

    and his team. Kevin also worked closely with Emma Goddard, South East Waters sustainable development

    manager, who earlier this year brought the company national recognition by helping it win the Business

    Commitment to the Environment award. Emmas team, which includes Megan Klaar and Richard Dyer, is

    responsible for assessing the impact of water engineering work on the environment, and then planning ways that

    will minimise or completely avoid any disruption to wildlife habitat, particularly protected or endangered species

    such as great crested newts and water shrews.

    Great crested newts have declined within the UK over recent years, due to the destruction and pollution of their

    breeding sites and terrestrial habitat. They are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the

    Habitat Regulations Act of 1994. It is illegal to catch, possess or handle great crested newts without a licence and

    it is also illegal to cause them harm or death, or to disturb their habitat in any way.

    Because parts of Sussex - and South East Waters supply area - are rich in these protected amphibians, Emma

    has been encouraging her team to gain their great crested newt handling licences. She explains: Until now, we

    had to bring in newt handling experts from other parts of the country. This meant that every time we had to carry

    out an environmental impact assessment, it cost the company - and our customers - money. By gaining our

    licences we are now able to do this work ourselves, which is far more cost effective.

    Monitoring the great crested newt population is a good way of gauging the health of the local environment.

    Information gained from newt surveying is recorded on local and national databases. It is important to have ahealthy population of both juvenile and adult newts. Emma explained. As newts are nocturnal we have to go

    out at night and, by using special torch lighting techniques, pond dipping and bottle trapping, we are able to

    assess the size and constitution of the newt population.

    All team members will be heavily involved in conservation projects throughout the county on an ongoing basis.

    EVENTS in 2005

    5 March: The Kent Pond Wardens in partnership with the Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group are organising

    a great crested newt monitoring project in 2005 with a training course on 5 March. Sussex SARG members

    (space permitting) would be welcome. Details from Laura Watson, BTCV, Sidelands Farm, Wye, Ashford, Kent

    TN25 5DQ.

    Sunday, 10 April: East Hoathly Pond survey

    Saturday 29 April Monday 1 May: Rye Wildlife Weekend. This new venture is scheduled for 29th and 30th

    April and 1st May this year. SARG is hoping to have a presence and further details will be announced. If

    anyo0ne feels they could help, could they please get in touch with our chair, Jenny Bacon (details at end of

    newsletter).

    Sunday, 22 May: Annual General Meeting and Members Day, The Fishing Lodge, Arlington Reservoir,

    Berwick, East Sussex (TQ528073) starting at 12 noon. In addition to the formal meeting there will be a number

    of guided walks, wildlife survey demonstrations and other activities. Bring a picnic lunch its a delightful

    place (especially in fine weather).

    Sunday, 5 June: Plovers Meadow family wildlife event. As usual we will have a presence stand at Plovers

    Meadow at off the B2102 between Blackboys and Cross-in-Hand (TQ536212) west of Heathfield, East Sussex

    from 11am 4pm. Minimum donation: adults 2.50, children free.

    Surveys for 2005 (dates to be confirmed)

    Chailey common -Reptile survey; Powdermill Trust -Two small reserves near Battle date still to be confirmedfor more details please contact Janet Claydon 01323 492066; South Heighton - To be booked once

    confirmation from land owner received; Lancing College .

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    Newtsletter No. 37 Winter/Spring 2005 Newsletter of the Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group

    MEMBERSHIPS 2005

    A reminder that subscriptions are due in January. Membership prices are as follows:

    Single member 5

    Joint membership 8

    Family membership 10

    Cheques should be sent to : Su Pitcher, 30 Becket Road, Worthing BN14 7EX.

    Standing orders.

    If you like you can pay by standing order so you dont have to remember. If you would like

    to pay by this method please set up a standing order with your bank to pay SARG with the

    following details:

    Bank Alliance and Leicester.

    Account name Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group.

    Account no. - 48 856 3488

    ! Note to existing standing order paying members !

    Due to us changing our bank last year you will need to set up new standing orders if you

    wish to continue with this method. Last years (2004) standing orders did not get through to

    us so could you please check that these were returned to your bank accounts. We are not

    chasing you for these memberships but as always donations are welcome !

    Many Thanks,

    Su Pitcher,

    Treasurer

    Talk time at the 2004 Regional Conference, East Grinstead

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    Newtsletter No. 37 Winter/Spring 2005 Newsletter of the Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group

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    SARG COMMITTEE MEMBERS JANUARY 2005

    Web Site www.safari.com/reptile

    Chair, Toad Crossing Coordinator

    Jenny Bacon

    Hammonds Green Cottage, Hammonds

    Green, Framfield, East Sussex

    TN22 5QH

    Tel: 01825 890236

    E- mail: [email protected]

    Secretary

    David Harris

    7 Gibbon Road, Newhaven,

    East Sussex, BN9 9EW

    Tel: 01273 515762

    E-mail: [email protected]

    Minutes Secretary

    Eileen Harris

    26 St Peters Road, Seaford, East Sussex

    BN25 2HP

    E-mail: [email protected]

    Treasurer

    Sue Pitcher

    30 Beckett Road, Worthing, West Sussex

    BN14 7EX

    Tel: 01903 522611. E-mail:

    [email protected]

    Surveys Officer

    Barry Kemp

    Amblehurst, Nevill Road, Crowborough,

    East Sussex TN6 2RA

    Tel: 01892 663942

    E-mail: [email protected] Forum rep & Arlington

    Advisory Committee Rep

    Alf Simpson MBE

    Hardanger, Littleworth, Partridge Green,

    Horsham, West Sussex RH13 8JF

    Tel: 01403 710694

    E-mail: [email protected]

    SARG Library

    Janet Claydon

    9 Kingsway, Seaford ,

    East Sussex BN25 2NE

    Tel: 01323 492066

    Events

    Linda Burnham

    20 Palehouse Common, Framfield,

    Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5QY

    Tel: 01825 890852

    Newsletter Editor

    Patrick Roper

    South View, Churchland Lane,

    Sedlescombe, East Sussex TN33 0PF

    Tel: 01424 870993

    E-mail: [email protected]

    South East Water

    Emma Goddard

    The Lodge, Arlington Reservoir, Berwick,

    Polegate, East Sussex BN26 6TF

    Tel: 01323 870810 Ext23

    E-mail: [email protected]

    http://www.safari.com/reptilemailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.safari.com/reptile