News

Amphibians in some parts of the world are declining because of amphibian disease. Whilst a number of diseases cause mortality and incapacity in amphibians, the only disease thought to be of serious conservation concern is chytridiomycosis.

In 2008 Natural England, the Institute of Zoology (IoZ) and The HCT are jointly working on a chytrid screening project. In brief:

Chytrid is a fungus known to have infected and caused declines in some amphibian species in different parts of the world.
Chytrid has been found in both native and non-native amphibians at a small number of sites in the UK.
We do not know whether chytrid is widespread in the UK.
We do not whether, or how, it will affect our amphibians.

The UK Chytridiomycosis Survey aims to find out how widespread is the fungus.

Find out more about chytrid and chytridiomycosis from:

Amphibian Ark www.amphibianark.org/chytrid.htm
The Institute of Zoology www.zsl.org/ukchytrid

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Plenty to do this spring

Reporting toad crossings

NARRS training and Chytrid survey

Saturday 15^th March

Amphibian Surveying Workshop

2.00pm

This workshop is aimed at the non professional who is interested in helping us survey amphibians on our nature reserves. Learn more about the ecology and behaviour of amphibians. The workshop will involve both an indoor ID session to help you improve your ID skills, and then an evening visit to an amphibian site to see the animals in their natural environment. Refreshments provided.

Cost:£6.50 per person which includes a free Warwickshire Amphibian and Reptile Team (WART) membership. If you book on the reptile and the amphibian workshop then one is free. Places are confirmed upon receipt of payment in advance.

Saturday 12^th April

Reptile Surveying Workshop

10.00am

This workshop is aimed at the non professional who is interested in helping us survey reptiles on our nature reserves. Learn more about the ecology and behaviour of amphibians. The workshop will involve both an indoor ID session to help you improve your ID skills in the morning, and then an afternoon visit to a reptile site to see the animals in their natural environment. Refreshments provided.

Cost: £6.50 per person which includes a free Warwickshire Amphibian and Reptile Team (WART) membership. If you book on the amphibian and the reptile workshop then one is free. Places are confirmed upon receipt of payment in advance.

These 2 Training Day's will be Taking place at Bradon March Nature Centre.

Please book beforehand withNigel Clemons

There will be NO admission on the Day

Warwickshire Amphibian & Reptile Team