Understanding Wildlife Protection: Time to try some reptile surveys!

I have recently started volunteering with Carymoor Environmental Trust in Somerset. I am hoping to record lots of wildlife and help out on practical environmental conservation days.

My first day was spent helping plant around 5800 extra-fast growing willows. Part of Carymoor Environmental trust is on old capped landfill and the reason we were planting these willows was to act as bioremediation of landfill leachate.

My second visit involved a tour of the site. It is a huge area with a wide range of habitats such as wetland, grassland and woodland. There are many habitat/nature conservation projects in the pipeline such as meadows for bees, migrating birds and a whole field devoted to growing food for birds and over-wintering habitat. Memorable sightings on this occasion included deer and Snipe.

On my next day of volunteering we were planting some more willow around an orchard to act as a windbreak. We dug over and turned some tussocky grass around the orchard. This was then driven over by a tractor to compact the soil and the willow stuck into the ground. The willow was planted in 2 rows around a foot between each willow and around 20cm between each row in a zig-zag fashion.

My third visit was spent cutting up squares out of roof felt and black plastic material as reptile mats. Reptiles and amphibians love the heat that these absorb and this is a big task as it would be great if we could survey the whole site. Once these were cut up I placed them around potential survey areas....on tussocky grassland areas, preferably south facing slopes. I also checked under some reptile mats placed last year for any reptiles/amphibians and found the following shown in the pictures (not great pictures as from my phone!)

Grass Snake

Common Toad

Slow worm

Slow worms

A little nest

Another Toad

Some of last years mats were moved a foot or so away as the grass had died underneath or some had become infested by huge ant nests! If there were reptiles/amphibians,signs of habitat underneath then they were left where they were. Under these mats we also found signs of voles nests made up of all sorts of bits and bobs which was interesting! (Pic below)

Possible vole nest?

My fourth visit was spent cutting up more mats and placing them in new areas to survey. I also checked under old mats and corrugated metal that had been placed and discovered the following... (see pics below).

Lots of Slow worms under some corrugated metal

Grass snake under same mat as last week

Slow worm

Small Grass Snake, there was another next to it same size but it slithered off before I could get a pic!

Slow worm

Under some corrugated metal I saw a tiny little mammal. It got away too quick into its hole in some dried grass but I think it was either a shrew or mole as its nose was quite long. I will be there at the ready with my camera next time! I have got some rubbish photos of other wildlife sightings today so I feel it is time to go shopping for a new camera!

Some more piccies from today...