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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A new report of leech predation on amphibians
What is it?
Whilst most of the leeches you will encounter in the UK are a natural part of your ponds' ecosystem and doing no harm to other wildlife, since 2020 we've been receiving unusual reports of leech predation on amphibians from a small number…
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Dragons in the Hills - news from Northern Ireland in 2022
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 is a partnership project with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC),…Read more: Dragons in the Hills - news from Northern Ireland in 2022
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Adders are (even more) Amazing - Fun facts and top tips!!
Welcome to our adder resource page! Lots of fun facts and top tips about our iconic native adder and more about a very special outreach project 'Adders are Amazing!'The adder (Vipera berus) - fun facts!
- Adders are quite small snakes and only grow to…
Read more: Adders are (even more) Amazing - Fun facts and top tips!!
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Resources for ARGs - volunteer, risk, safeguarding and lone working agreements
This page is intended to be a one-stop shop for ARG volunteer documents including the volunteer working agreement, risk and safeguarding assessments and advice on lone working. For those wishing to volunteer with ARG UK or any ARG we ask that you fil in…Read more: Resources for ARGs - volunteer, risk, safeguarding and lone working agreements
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Make the Adder Count in 2022
Welcome to Make the Adder Count 2022. 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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Dragons in the Hills - news from Northern Ireland in 2021
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 is a partnership project with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC),…Read more: Dragons in the Hills - news from Northern Ireland in 2021
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SW ARGs regional online meeting recorded 06.11.2021
The SW ARGS online meeting recorded on 06.11.2021 provided an opportunity for volunteers, NGOs, academic researchers and statutory agencies to network and catch up on the latest news and research findings from reptile and amphibian conservation projects from right across the region. Session…Read more: SW ARGs regional online meeting recorded 06.11.2021
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Scottish ARGs Regional Meeting 30/10/21 - Recording and summary
We are delighted to present the Scottish ARGs regional meeting for 2021 which was recorded on Saturday October 30th. You can view the recording on YouTube here: Introduced by Chris Cathrine (ARG UK, Cent ARG, Caledonian Conservation), the online meeting provided an opportunity for volunteers,…Read more: Scottish ARGs Regional Meeting 30/10/21 - Recording and summary
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A new project 'Status of the adder Vipera berus in Scotland' - please get involved!
An opportunity to repeat a survey commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage, and originally published in 1994 (see references). This was presented at an afternoon workshop at the Scottish ARGs Meeting on 30.10.2021- you can download the recording hereBackground
- The report 'Status of the…
Read more: A new project 'Status of the adder Vipera berus in Scotland' - please get involved!
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100% success supporting reptile and amphibian conservation in 2021
Thanks to our incredibly generous donors we have been able to continue to support the 100% fund small grant scheme in 2021, making small conservation grants available to our affiliated amphibian and reptile groups right across the UK. In 2021 we were able to support…
Read more: 100% success supporting reptile and amphibian conservation in 2021
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Look out for toad fly this summer
With apologies for the distressing image! As the summer progresses, we are getting reports of common toads, affected by a parasitic blow fly or ‘toad fly’. Although there are over 1,000 species of blowfly worldwide, and a number of other species of Luciliahave been associated…
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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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7th Quinquennial Review (QQR) of Schedules 5 and 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) - A summary by ARG UK
QQR 7 - LATEST UPDATES
January 2022 - ARG UK are one of 49 signatories to an open letter to the JNCC that was sent on 28.01.22 expressing our continued concerns about the proposed changes to the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and the impact of these…
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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 - news and information from Northern Ireland in 2020
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 - news and information from Northern Ireland in 2020
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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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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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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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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…
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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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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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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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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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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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