Amphibian and Reptile
Groups of the UK
Photo © Angela Julian
ARG UK promotes the conservation of our native amphibians and reptiles and their environment by promoting and supporting the development of a network of independent Amphibian and Reptile Groups (ARGs).
PLEASE READ OUR LATEST ADVICE CONCERNING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
You can help our native amphibians and reptiles by getting involved with one of the 60+ independent volunteer ARGs in the UK.
Affiliated groups benefit from our insurance scheme, local groups websites, advice notes and fundraising support.
We provide online recording through the Record Pool to help capture herpetofauna data from across the UK.
We produce fun downloads for kids and their parents and teachers, and other useful resources.
Basking spots
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7th Quinquennial Review (QQR) of Schedules 5 and 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) - A summary by ARG UK
02.07.21 - coverage in The Guardian 26.06.21 - Amphibian and Reptile Conservation have set out the case for amphibians and reptiles here 03.07.21 - We have jointly published an open letter dated 28.06 21 from 35 UK-based wildlife NGOs setting out concerns…
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New Risk Assessments with COVID-19 restrictions
ARG UK has updated risk assessments to reflect the current Covid-19 situation. Volunteering should only take place where this can be done safely (for volunteers & animals) within the relevant Covid-19 restrictions (which vary between UK nations & change at short notice) Download our latest…
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Dragons in the Hills - latest news and information from Northern Ireland
Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Dragons in the Hills is a new project based in Northern Ireland which aims to conserve some of our priority wildlife species through community action. This exciting new project has been developed by a partnership including Newry, Mourne…Read more: Dragons in the Hills - latest news and information from Northern Ireland
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ARG UK 100% Fund
The ARGUK 100% Fund supports practical conservation work by the ARGs. ARG volunteers are often best placed to target funding effectively for amphibian and reptile conservation, and sometimes small amounts of money can make a big difference, but nevertheless can be hard to find. The sort…
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ARG UK Seminar Series: The Role of Reintroductions in Rewilding - recording and poll results
Presented by Nicola Morris (Trustee ARG UK, Head of Environment and Engagement at South West Lakes Trust), our expert panel explored some of the concepts surrounding the role of reintroductions in rewilding, with a focus on our native amphibians and reptiles. We were treated to three…
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How to ARGWEB - video tutorials that cover frequently asked questions
ARGWEB is a new online toolkit tailor-made for our affiliated volunteer Amphibian and Reptile Groups (ARGS), providing a set of online tools (apps) to help our affiliated groups manage their membership and other stakeholders, including land managers and project partners, in a GDPR compliant manner.…Read more: How to ARGWEB - video tutorials that cover frequently asked questions
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Enter the Natrix: surveying grass snakes in eastern England by Steve Allain
As winter inevitably gives way to spring, I’ll soon be getting ready to return to my field site in Norfolk for the final year, to collect data for my PhD. For the past two summers, I’ve been busy chasing my target species the barred grass…Read more: Enter the Natrix: surveying grass snakes in eastern England by Steve Allain
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Make the Adder Count in 2021
Welcome to Make the Adder Count 2021. Started in 2005, this long-running survey aims to encourage springtime counts of adders, with the objectives of informing local conservation projects/interests and gathering a long-term surveillance dataset. Thank you to all the volunteers who have returned their data from…
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What's in your pond? Spawn spotters in 2021
What's in your pond in the Spring of 2021? Join with our volunteer ARGs right across the UK and Northern Ireland this spring and see who is the first to spot amphibians arriving to breed. Expert amphibian ecologist, Pete West of the Hampshire and Isle…
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Toads on Roads - Toad Patrolling for ARGs includes advice on COVID-19
Update: TOADS ON ROADS COVID-19 Restrictions - January 2021
As we very much feared, in the Spring of 2021 the COVID-19 epidemic has entered a second peak, with cases and hospitalisation growing in many of our counties across UK and Northern Ireland/RoI. ARG UK has updated…Read more: Toads on Roads - Toad Patrolling for ARGs includes advice on COVID-19
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London ARG (LARG) Relaunch - new year, new start!
Relaunch of London Amphibian and Reptile Group (LARG) - finding our way through the capital. Do you live in London or Great London? Would you like to find out more about your local amphibians and reptiles? Would you like to get involved in local…Read more: London ARG (LARG) Relaunch - new year, new start!
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ARG UK Policy Statement Concerning Reintroductions
Continuing declines of reptile and amphibian species native to the UK need to be addressed. These declines include species loss from parts of their natural range, and national extinction. Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK) supports the network of local volunteer Amphibian…Read more: ARG UK Policy Statement Concerning Reintroductions
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Dragons in the Hills: Music and Myths by the Fireside 4 - with Seamus Murphy, and music from Colleen Savage and Padraig Carragher
Introduced by Josh Twining, with storytelling by local historian and writer Seamus Murphy, and music from Colleen Savage and Padraig Carragher. A key part of our Dragons in the Hills, National Lottery Heritage Funded project is to use the creative arts, and storytelling to bind…
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Dragons in the Hills: Music and Myths by the Fireside 3 - with Ann Ward
Introduced by Josh Twining and storytelling by meditation facilitator and Ambassador for the Ring of Gullion, Ann Ward. A key part of our Dragons in the Hills, National Lottery Heritage Funded project is to use the creative arts, and storytelling to bind the world of…Read more: Dragons in the Hills: Music and Myths by the Fireside 3 - with Ann Ward
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Dragons in the Hills: Music and Myths by the Fireside 2 - with Marie Murphy
A key part of our Dragons in the Hills, National Lottery Heritage Funded project is to use the creative arts, and storytelling to bind the world of myth and legend with the natural world, allowing our little dragons to take us on a journey of…Read more: Dragons in the Hills: Music and Myths by the Fireside 2 - with Marie Murphy
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Dragons in the Hills: Music and Myths by the Fireside 1 - with TAP South Armagh and Una Walsh
A key part of our Dragons in the Hills, National Lottery Heritage Funded project is to use the creative arts, and storytelling to bind the world of myth and legend with the natural world, allowing our little dragons to take us on a journey of…
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ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series: A celebration of ARG projects - ice age ponds, finding adders and mitigating for reptiles
In the last of our autumn seminar series we hear from some of our volunteer amphibian and reptile groups (ARGs) about what they've been doing during the year. Presented by our Chair of Trustees, Chris Monk (Derbyshire ARG), there is something for everyone, as we…
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ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series: What can we do about alien amphibians and reptiles in the UK?
Presented by Nicola Morris (Trustee ARG UK, Chair Cornwall ARG (CRAG), Invasive Species Officer, South West Lakes Trust), our expert panel discuss what makes an alien species invasive, what impact alien invasive species such as alpine newts may have on our native biodiversity, and how…
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ARG UK Seminar Series: Amphibian diseases – Understanding and managing the spread of a highly aggressive amphibian disease
The recording of the sixth in our ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series: Amphibian diseases – Understanding and managing the spread of a highly aggressive amphibian disease focussing on the novel form of chytrid, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Presented by Alice Pawlik (Trustee, ARG UK, University of…
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ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series: Engaging community champions – developing and evaluating innovative outreach programmes for amphibians and reptiles with diverse communities.
ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series: Engaging community champions – developing and evaluating innovative outreach programmes for amphibians and reptiles with diverse communities. Presented by Angela Julian (Coordinator ARG UK), we explore novel ways of engaging with different community groups. Our panel of expert speakers present…
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ARG UK Seminar Series: District Level Licencing – an exploration and evaluation of a new approach to managing great crested newts in the planning system
We are pleased to announce that the ARG UK Seminar Series: District Level Licencing – an exploration and evaluation of a new approach to managing great crested newts in the planning system is now live on YouTube. Presented by Jonathan Cranfield (Recording Officer, HIWARG and…
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ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series: Conserving amphibians and reptiles in South Africa, working in harmony with communities to overcome fear and improve local knowledge.
ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series: Conserving amphibians and reptiles in South Africa, working in harmony with communities to overcome fear and improve local knowledge. Presented by Peter Gillatt (Chair, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Amphibian and Reptile group - HIWARG), himself originally from South Africa,…
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ARG UK Seminar Series: Meeting the challenges of conserving adders in a 21st Century landscape – lessons from England and France. Streamed 17.09.20
ARG UK Seminar Series: The Vanishing Viper - Meeting the challenges of conserving adders in a 21st Century landscape – lessons from England and France, streamed on 17.09.20. Presented by Nigel Hand (ARG UK Trustee, Central Ecology and HART), we heard presentations from three adder…
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ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series - Recording of Dragons in the Hills on 3rd September 2020
For those who were unable to join us on 3rd September, here is the recording of our first ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series: Dragons in the Hills – Engaging with communities to conserve amphibians and reptiles in Northern Ireland, with thanks to everyone who contributed…Read more: ARG UK Autumn Seminar Series - Recording of Dragons in the Hills on 3rd September 2020
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PLEASE READ OUR LATEST ADVICE CONCERNING THE COVID-19 VIRUS OUTBREAK
The UK government’s understanding of the risks presented by the COVID-19 virus is changing on a daily basis at the present time based on expert advice and modelling of the global epidemic. We are keen to minimise risk to all of our groups, their members…Read more: PLEASE READ OUR LATEST ADVICE CONCERNING THE COVID-19 VIRUS OUTBREAK
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Dragons in the Hills - project updates from Northern Ireland
Based in the Newry, Mourne and Down District, Dragons in the Hills has been awarded £100,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to find out more about Northern Ireland’s own little dragons – our three native amphibians and reptiles: common frog, common lizard and smooth…Read more: Dragons in the Hills - project updates from Northern Ireland
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Introducing ARGWEB - a new online combined membership and survey toolkit for the ARGs
ARGWEB is a new online toolkit tailor-made for our affiliated volunteer Amphibian and Reptile Groups (ARGS). ARGWEB was originally set up by our Surrey group (SARG) to provide a suit of online tools (apps) to manage their membership and other stakeholders including land managers and…Read more: Introducing ARGWEB - a new online combined membership and survey toolkit for the ARGs
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100% success restoring ponds in Derbyshire in 2020
Derbyshire ARG: Pond clearance and restoration at Hoe Grange & Ballidonmoor Farms to benefit amphibians including protected Great Crested Newts
Aim of the project To organise the restoration by de-silting of two large diameter, deep dewponds adjacent to the farmyards at Hoe Grange and Ballidonmoor Farms in…Read more: 100% success restoring ponds in Derbyshire in 2020
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Advice Note 12: Amphibian and Reptile Reintroductions - Guidelines for Amphibian and Reptile Groups
1. Background
In a climate of wildlife declines, reintroducing species to locations from which they have disappeared has become an increasingly popular suggestion. For species with limited dispersal abilities, such as amphibians and reptiles, actively moving them may be the only way of restoring them…
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Dragons in the Hills - connecting communities with their natural heritage, and conserving amphibians and reptiles in Northern Ireland
Whats in Your Pond? - record your frogs, newts and common lizards here The National Lottery Heritage Fund are supporting a new project based in Northern Ireland which aims to conserve some of our priority wildlife species through community action. This exciting new project has… - Details
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Toads on Roads - Top Tips for Toad Patrolling for ARGs includes advice on COVID-19
Update: COVID-19 Restrictions - January 2021
As we very much feared, in the Spring of 2021 the COVID-19 epidemic has entered a second peak, with cases and hospitalisation growing in many of our counties across UK and Northern Ireland/RoI. ARG UK has updated risk assessments to…Read more: Toads on Roads - Top Tips for Toad Patrolling for ARGs includes advice on COVID-19
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Wildlife Pond Construction and Habitat Creation on an Allotment in Norfolk
Ponds are great!
As well as providing vital habitat for our native amphibians, ponds also support a diversity of other native wildlife including reptiles (especially grass snakes), invertebrates and provide a vital water source for wild birds and mammalian visitors. However, pond creation can be…Read more: Wildlife Pond Construction and Habitat Creation on an Allotment in Norfolk
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Vanishing Viper 2019: A European approach to developing an adder conservation strategy
Download the full article here: Many volunteer adder surveyors are reporting seeing fewer adders (Vipera berus) on study sites, and concerns have been expressed that adder declines may be widespread, and even affecting the sustainability of national adder populations, particularly in England. This pessimistic…Read more: Vanishing Viper 2019: A European approach to developing an adder conservation strategy
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Creating grass snake egg-laying heaps – the ‘RAVON Recipe’
Over the past few years RAVON our herpetological colleagues in the Netherlands, have been developing their conservation programme for the native grass snake (Natrix helvetica). This programme has included specific habitat management for grass snakes, to enhance their breeding success and thereby increase the sustainability of…Read more: Creating grass snake egg-laying heaps – the ‘RAVON Recipe’
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Adders are amazing! Resource Pack - Pecyn Adnoddau Gwiberod Gwych!
Our Adders are Amazing Resource packs are now available to download in English and Cymraeg:
Adders are Amazing! Resource Pack Pecyn Adnoddau Gwiberod Gwych! We can also post out special packs containing all 24 activity sheets in a handy folder - these are available for just…Read more: Adders are amazing! Resource Pack - Pecyn Adnoddau Gwiberod Gwych!
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Keeping everyone safe - Our adder code 'Stop, Step Back and Smile'
At this time of year, you may see adders basking in the open, particularly along coastal paths where there is heathland (heather and gorse), or in sand dunes, and on sunny south facing slopes. Adders are very timid and are in real danger of becoming…Read more: Keeping everyone safe - Our adder code 'Stop, Step Back and Smile'
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Atlas of the Amphibians & Reptiles of Warwickshire (Vice County 38 Records) up to 2018
We pleased to announce the launch of the 'Atlas of the Amphibians & Reptiles of Warwickshire - Vice County 38 Records up to 2018'. WART is a voluntary group that works in partnership with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (WWT) and is affiliated to the Amphibian and Reptile…Read more: Atlas of the Amphibians & Reptiles of Warwickshire (Vice County 38 Records) up to 2018
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Wildlife conservation charity urges private amphibian traders to prevent Bsal fungus from infecting wild populations
The good news is the UK’s wild newt populations seem to be free from a flesh-eating lethal fungus known to be prevalent in privately-owned amphibians across Western Europe, a nationwide investigation has found. The full paper can be downloaded here However, scientists from international conservation…
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Press Release: First study of national adder population trends reveals adders are facing near extinction in Britain
The adder could all but disappear from the UK countryside by 2032, according to new research conducted with the help of citizen scientists. Download the full press release here The findings, published in The Herpetological Journal, are the culmination of 11 years of nationwide monitoring…
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ARG UK - Annual Review 2018-19
We presented the annual review for ARG UK with a summary of the ARG activity survey for 2018-19, at the ARG UK Annual General Meeting which was held on Saturday 9th February 2019 at the Best Western Plus Stoke on Trent Moat House, Etruria Hall, Festival Way, Stoke-on-Trent ST1…
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Madeleine's Patch - 100% support from ARG UK
A legacy of a joy for nature - In Memorium to Madeleine Parnwell
In 2018 Steve Parnwell of Cambridge and Peterborough ARG, brought us the sad news of the tragic loss of his wife in a road accident, one night a few weeks before Christmas of…
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Kids' stickers and fun fact sheets
ARGUK is delighted to partner with the artist Mabel Harris to create a vibrant new range of stickers, fun fact and colouring sheets for our budding young herpetologists. These are perfect for events and other herp-themed activities. We are delighted to be able to offer a range of…
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Adders are Amazing!
This exciting new project, led by our Pembrokeshire Adder Coordinator, Sam Langdon, is delivering the ‘community engagement’ aspect of a wider programme to prevent this iconic, but vulnerable native snake from slipping into extinction in large parts of England and Wales. The project has taken…
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Bsal - a deadly new newt disease on our doorstep!
Chytridiomycosis (Chytrid) has been responsible for mass mortalities of amphibians with declines and extinctions on six continents, including Europe. Until recently, most pathogenic outbreaks of Chytrid were associated with the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). However, since 2013 a newly described species B. salamandrivorans ( =…Read more: Bsal - a deadly new newt disease on our doorstep!
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Latest Updates on GCN licensing reforms
UPDATE 10 March 2021 Following the re-launch of the London Amphibian and Reptile Group (London ARG), they invited Natural England to present a seminar on the new District Level Licensing Scheme for the Great Crested Newt. Presented by Rachael Hamilton (Great Crested Newt Strategist) and…
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The Adder Campaign
NEWS - New Publication: Make the Adder Count: population trends from a citizen science survey of UK adders Concern has been growing about the status of UK adder populations, with expert opinion reporting widespread declines. Assessing the true scale of these declines, however, has been hampered by a…
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Chris Packham's - A People's Manifesto for Wildlife
On Saturday 22 September we joined with our wider wildlife community in Hyde Park to hear more about Chris Packham’s new ‘A People’s Manifesto for Wildlife’, and march to Downing Street to deliver it to the seat of Government. Chris has mobilised the biggest peaceful…Read more: Chris Packham's - A People's Manifesto for Wildlife
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Amphibians and Reptiles in Leicestershire and Rutland: A Review (2018)
by Andrew Heaton, County Recorder for Amphibians and Reptiles, LARN The LARN (Leicestershire & Rutland, Amphibian and Reptile Network) network have been working in partnership with those with an interest and enthusiasm for the amphibians and reptiles of the two counties to produce a review…Read more: Amphibians and Reptiles in Leicestershire and Rutland: A Review (2018)
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Revised Advice note 4 - Amphibian Disease Precautions, A Guide for UK Fieldworkers
We are delighted to be able to launch the newly revised version of "Advice note 4 - Amphibian Disease Precautions, A Guide for UK Fieldworkers", which is published in March 2017. This important resource for amphibian fieldworkers and trainers has been comprehensively revised in partnership…Read more: Revised Advice note 4 - Amphibian Disease Precautions, A Guide for UK Fieldworkers
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Snake fungal disease identified in wild British snakes for first time
Europe’s wild snakes could face a growing threat from a fungal skin disease that has contributed to wild snake deaths in North America, according to an international collaborative study, led by conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London) alongside partners including the U.S. Geological…Read more: Snake fungal disease identified in wild British snakes for first time
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