Survey Experience: General Herpetology

• Considerable experience of amphibian & reptile surveys for over 21 years and completing reports.
• Work for a wide range of clients.
• Surveys over much of England, Scotland and Wales with considerable experience in South East.
• Familiar with all the native herpetofauna in the UK.
• Familiar with alien species such as American Bullfrogs, green frogs, and Xenopus/African Clawed Toad.
• Familiar with the successful translocation of reptiles and amphibians.
• Practical experience of mitigation that is thorough, fair, and realistic, as opposed to the ’risk-averse’ approach that can have a detrimental impact on general attitudes to European Protected Species (EPS).
• Mitigation for herpetofauna including a major task for Rural Arisings at Church Marshes, Sittingbourne, relating to capping of hazardous landfill within a country park.
• Reptile and amphibian surveys for groups like ECL (Ecology Consultancy Ltd.) and Biodiversity-by-Design.
• Voluntary work for SARG (Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group), and a committee member.
• Habitat management for herpetofauna.
• Pond surveys and their restoration and drainage, from managing small ponds to draining lakes (also check out my report on pond creation).
• Experience of de-silting and constructing ponds and supervising work with heavy machinery.  Methods include ’wildlife friendly’ techniques.
• Assistance with the Froglife London ’Pond Doctor’ service.
• Giving advice on garden ponds at events at the London Wetland Centre.
• Assistance with film crews working on reptiles and amphibians including ’Wildlife SOS’ on Animal Planet with Wildlife Aid - on how to handle Adders!
• Assistance with workshops on amphibian and reptile conservation.
• Studying amphibians & reptiles in Europe including a study of the genetics and distribution of the Pool Frog across Europe and assistance with surveys in the Ukraine.