ARG UK
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
Amphibian and Reptile Groups of UK (ARG UK) is a registered charity (number 1165504) committed to the conservation of native amphibians and reptiles and their natural environment by supporting the development of a network of independent volunteer amphibian
The Government has reponded to the advice from JNCC on the 7th quinquennial review of species protections under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. Many environmental NGOs took part
The response from Mary Creagh MP is thanks for doing it but they will not be implementing the proposed amendments
The response from Mary Creagh MP is thanks for doing it but they will not be implementing the proposed amendments
December 18, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The Government has reponded to the advice from JNCC on the 7th quinquennial review of species protections under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. Many environmental NGOs took part
The response from Mary Creagh MP is thanks for doing it but they will not be implementing the proposed amendments
The response from Mary Creagh MP is thanks for doing it but they will not be implementing the proposed amendments
Reminder that bookings are being taken for the 2026 Herpetological Workers Meeting in Glasgow on the 31st January and 1st February.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/herpetofau...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/herpetofau...
December 17, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Reminder that bookings are being taken for the 2026 Herpetological Workers Meeting in Glasgow on the 31st January and 1st February.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/herpetofau...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/herpetofau...
Reposted by ARG UK
A great new opportunity to study for a PhD at the University of Reading.
This is a project linked with Froglife that aims to model the life cycle of the common toad and look at the impact of climate variation on UK populations.
More info and apply by 12th Jan 2026: https://ow.ly/SZki50XInlU
This is a project linked with Froglife that aims to model the life cycle of the common toad and look at the impact of climate variation on UK populations.
More info and apply by 12th Jan 2026: https://ow.ly/SZki50XInlU
December 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
A great new opportunity to study for a PhD at the University of Reading.
This is a project linked with Froglife that aims to model the life cycle of the common toad and look at the impact of climate variation on UK populations.
More info and apply by 12th Jan 2026: https://ow.ly/SZki50XInlU
This is a project linked with Froglife that aims to model the life cycle of the common toad and look at the impact of climate variation on UK populations.
More info and apply by 12th Jan 2026: https://ow.ly/SZki50XInlU
Reposted by ARG UK
Habitats for frogs, toads & newts are in decline: 50% of ponds were lost during the 20th century, and of those that remain, 80% are in a poor state. So garden ponds are crucial for helping amphibians survive - & they help all sorts of other wildlife too!
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/cre...
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/cre...
December 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Habitats for frogs, toads & newts are in decline: 50% of ponds were lost during the 20th century, and of those that remain, 80% are in a poor state. So garden ponds are crucial for helping amphibians survive - & they help all sorts of other wildlife too!
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/cre...
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/cre...
Reposted by ARG UK
The Government has partially backed away from weakening Biodiversity Net Gain – but nature still loses out.
Exempting developments under 0.2ha risks hollowing out one of England’s most important nature protections🐝🌱
1/4🧵
Exempting developments under 0.2ha risks hollowing out one of England’s most important nature protections🐝🌱
1/4🧵
December 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The Government has partially backed away from weakening Biodiversity Net Gain – but nature still loses out.
Exempting developments under 0.2ha risks hollowing out one of England’s most important nature protections🐝🌱
1/4🧵
Exempting developments under 0.2ha risks hollowing out one of England’s most important nature protections🐝🌱
1/4🧵
Reposted by ARG UK
I’ve been trying to work out if the Government are on track to meet their ambitious target to create or restore 250,000 hectares of habitats outside protected sites by 2030, announced yesterday.
Turns out the Government themselves don’t yet have a way of measuring this!
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Turns out the Government themselves don’t yet have a way of measuring this!
www.gov.uk/government/p...
December 2, 2025 at 11:13 AM
I’ve been trying to work out if the Government are on track to meet their ambitious target to create or restore 250,000 hectares of habitats outside protected sites by 2030, announced yesterday.
Turns out the Government themselves don’t yet have a way of measuring this!
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Turns out the Government themselves don’t yet have a way of measuring this!
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by ARG UK
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill will soon be law, but huge amounts of detail remain to be decided. Government needs to minimise environmental risk and uncertainty, as well as ensure that safeguards for wildlife are upheld. With nature in decline, we can't afford to leave it to chance.
November 27, 2025 at 2:20 PM
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill will soon be law, but huge amounts of detail remain to be decided. Government needs to minimise environmental risk and uncertainty, as well as ensure that safeguards for wildlife are upheld. With nature in decline, we can't afford to leave it to chance.
Reposted by ARG UK
While working today, in woods making new tracks, at Eling (Berkshire) flushed a Woodcock & then found this Common Frog #berksbirds #ukbirding #ukbirds #amphibian #ukwildlife @berksbirdclub.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social @argroupsuk.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 5:28 PM
While working today, in woods making new tracks, at Eling (Berkshire) flushed a Woodcock & then found this Common Frog #berksbirds #ukbirding #ukbirds #amphibian #ukwildlife @berksbirdclub.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social @argroupsuk.bsky.social
Reposted by ARG UK
Ghost pond resurrection. Is it the most successful form of ecological restoration known? www.fba.org.uk/fba-voice/gh...
Ghost pond resurrection – the most successful ecological restoration ever known? — Freshwater Biological Association
Carl Sayer is Professor of Limnology & Freshwater Ecology at UCL. We were delighted that Carl was able to attend the FBA ASM to deliver a keynote talk on ghost ponds. These pond resurrections are ...
www.fba.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Ghost pond resurrection. Is it the most successful form of ecological restoration known? www.fba.org.uk/fba-voice/gh...
Reposted by ARG UK
The new great crested newt ponds created by Froglife Ecological Services through the Natural England-funded DLL scheme are starting to fill up in Epping Forest.
A great boost for local biodiversity and future breeding habitats!
A great boost for local biodiversity and future breeding habitats!
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The new great crested newt ponds created by Froglife Ecological Services through the Natural England-funded DLL scheme are starting to fill up in Epping Forest.
A great boost for local biodiversity and future breeding habitats!
A great boost for local biodiversity and future breeding habitats!
Reposted by ARG UK
Open letter from over 1,000 UK scientists urging all MPs to attend the National Emergency Briefing. A huge list full of highly respected names.
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP #NEB2025
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP #NEB2025
National Emergency Briefing
An unfiltered assessment of the latest threats to UK food supply, health and national security from eight leading experts to an invitation-only audience - also covering positive solutions. Westminster...
www.nebriefing.org
November 23, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Open letter from over 1,000 UK scientists urging all MPs to attend the National Emergency Briefing. A huge list full of highly respected names.
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP #NEB2025
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP #NEB2025
Reposted by ARG UK
Yes! Hilary McGrady and the National Trust are right. Nature isn't a blocker to development - it's fundamental to a healthy, thriving economy.
The Chancellor must stop bat-bashing and instead embrace people's love of nature and the economic opportunity that it brings.🌳
The Chancellor must stop bat-bashing and instead embrace people's love of nature and the economic opportunity that it brings.🌳
Nature isn’t a “blocker” – it makes our lives better.
Our coast, countryside, heritage and wildlife underpin our food, water and health and put millions of pounds into the economy. The Government must not weaken the laws that protect them.
Our coast, countryside, heritage and wildlife underpin our food, water and health and put millions of pounds into the economy. The Government must not weaken the laws that protect them.
November 20, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Yes! Hilary McGrady and the National Trust are right. Nature isn't a blocker to development - it's fundamental to a healthy, thriving economy.
The Chancellor must stop bat-bashing and instead embrace people's love of nature and the economic opportunity that it brings.🌳
The Chancellor must stop bat-bashing and instead embrace people's love of nature and the economic opportunity that it brings.🌳
Reposted by ARG UK
New analysis of 1960s land use maps, many created by schoolchildren and students, reveals fresh insights on the timing and extent of habitat losses caused by post-war agricultural intensification and urban growth in England and Wales.
www.ceh.ac.uk/press/maps-c...
🧪 1/
#maps #LandUse
www.ceh.ac.uk/press/maps-c...
🧪 1/
#maps #LandUse
November 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
New analysis of 1960s land use maps, many created by schoolchildren and students, reveals fresh insights on the timing and extent of habitat losses caused by post-war agricultural intensification and urban growth in England and Wales.
www.ceh.ac.uk/press/maps-c...
🧪 1/
#maps #LandUse
www.ceh.ac.uk/press/maps-c...
🧪 1/
#maps #LandUse
Reposted by ARG UK
Our Peterborough #GreenTalent team joined volunteers at Hampton Nature Reserve for some hands-on habitat management recently.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Clare at [email protected]
Thanks National Lottery Heritage Fund & #NationalLottery players for helping us!
If you would like to get involved, please contact Clare at [email protected]
Thanks National Lottery Heritage Fund & #NationalLottery players for helping us!
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Our Peterborough #GreenTalent team joined volunteers at Hampton Nature Reserve for some hands-on habitat management recently.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Clare at [email protected]
Thanks National Lottery Heritage Fund & #NationalLottery players for helping us!
If you would like to get involved, please contact Clare at [email protected]
Thanks National Lottery Heritage Fund & #NationalLottery players for helping us!
We are delighted to announce the launch of the annual Herpetofauna Workers Meeting #hwm2026, jointly with @arc-trust.bsky.social at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow, 31 Jan-1 Feb 2026. Follow the link for bookings.
www.arc-trust.org/herp-workers...
www.arc-trust.org/herp-workers...
Herp Workers Meeting 2026 - 31/01/2026 10:00:00
Join us for Herpetofauna Workers' Meeting 2026 on 31st January & 1 February 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow
www.arc-trust.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:11 PM
We are delighted to announce the launch of the annual Herpetofauna Workers Meeting #hwm2026, jointly with @arc-trust.bsky.social at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow, 31 Jan-1 Feb 2026. Follow the link for bookings.
www.arc-trust.org/herp-workers...
www.arc-trust.org/herp-workers...
Booking is now open for the 2026 Herpetofauna Workers' Meeting #HWM2026 which is being held in Glasgow on Saturday 31st January & Sunday 1st February.
To see the draft programme, booking arrangements & other useful information go to the ARC website page at www.arc-trust.org/Event/herp-w...
To see the draft programme, booking arrangements & other useful information go to the ARC website page at www.arc-trust.org/Event/herp-w...
Herp Workers Meeting 2026 - 31/01/2026 10:00:00
Join us for Herpetofauna Workers' Meeting 2026 on 31st January & 1 February 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow
www.arc-trust.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Booking is now open for the 2026 Herpetofauna Workers' Meeting #HWM2026 which is being held in Glasgow on Saturday 31st January & Sunday 1st February.
To see the draft programme, booking arrangements & other useful information go to the ARC website page at www.arc-trust.org/Event/herp-w...
To see the draft programme, booking arrangements & other useful information go to the ARC website page at www.arc-trust.org/Event/herp-w...
Reposted by ARG UK
🚨 Only 30 places left for #NBNconf25 !
With 2 weeks to go, we’re nearly full — book now to join us in Bristol! 🐝🌿
🎤 Programme & speakers: bit.ly/NBNconf25
#Biodiversity #Data #Networking
With 2 weeks to go, we’re nearly full — book now to join us in Bristol! 🐝🌿
🎤 Programme & speakers: bit.ly/NBNconf25
#Biodiversity #Data #Networking
November 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
🚨 Only 30 places left for #NBNconf25 !
With 2 weeks to go, we’re nearly full — book now to join us in Bristol! 🐝🌿
🎤 Programme & speakers: bit.ly/NBNconf25
#Biodiversity #Data #Networking
With 2 weeks to go, we’re nearly full — book now to join us in Bristol! 🐝🌿
🎤 Programme & speakers: bit.ly/NBNconf25
#Biodiversity #Data #Networking
Reposted by ARG UK
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for bird flu via the forms below ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../daera-de....
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../daera-de....
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
Report dead wild birds
How to report dead wild birds.
www.gov.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for bird flu via the forms below ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../daera-de....
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/.../daera-de....
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
Reposted by ARG UK
🦇 This is the last chance to protect species from the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Ask your MP to keep Amendment 130: www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/11...
Ask your MP to keep Amendment 130: www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/11...
Ask your MP to protect bat species from the Planning and Infrastructure Bill - News - Bat Conservation Trust
This is the last chance to protect species from the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
www.bats.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:49 PM
🦇 This is the last chance to protect species from the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Ask your MP to keep Amendment 130: www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/11...
Ask your MP to keep Amendment 130: www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/11...
Anybody out there who has any current or recent slow-worm records in north east Scotland?
The #Slow-worm has very restricted distribution in NE Scotland (2023 & 2024 maps here); welcome info of one @ #Methlick (blue star) in August from Tom Bodey. There are historic records @ nearby Gight but none recent so great news they are still in the area. Where else?
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
@argroupsuk.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Anybody out there who has any current or recent slow-worm records in north east Scotland?
Reposted by ARG UK
Join ARC & The British Herpetological Society for a popular one-day conference covering a broad range of herpetology topics, providing networking opportunities with herpetology enthusiasts and professionals!
Learn more and book 👇
https://www.arc-trust.org/Event/arc-bhs-joint-scientific-meeting-2025
Learn more and book 👇
https://www.arc-trust.org/Event/arc-bhs-joint-scientific-meeting-2025
October 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Join ARC & The British Herpetological Society for a popular one-day conference covering a broad range of herpetology topics, providing networking opportunities with herpetology enthusiasts and professionals!
Learn more and book 👇
https://www.arc-trust.org/Event/arc-bhs-joint-scientific-meeting-2025
Learn more and book 👇
https://www.arc-trust.org/Event/arc-bhs-joint-scientific-meeting-2025
Reposted by ARG UK
Very much enjoyed putting finger to key to wax lyrical about an often ignored species for @teamneyedc.bsky.social for the #Yorkshirein100Species. Here’s to number #96 the slow worm www.neyedc.org.uk/100-species/...
#96 Slow Worm by John Pemberton — neyedc
John’s chosen species is the Slow Worm Anguis fragilis , one of our wonderful reptiles. John works for East Riding of Yorkshire Council as Sustainable Environment Manager, overseeing natural envir...
www.neyedc.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Very much enjoyed putting finger to key to wax lyrical about an often ignored species for @teamneyedc.bsky.social for the #Yorkshirein100Species. Here’s to number #96 the slow worm www.neyedc.org.uk/100-species/...
Occurrences of people dumping live or even dead exotic snakes seem to be on the increase. Not only are the snakes likely to perish but there's a risk of transmission of disease vectors to native species.
uk.news.yahoo.com/scary-24-inc...
uk.news.yahoo.com/scary-24-inc...
Scary 24-inch ‘Boa Constrictor’ discovered on Welsh mountainside!
A massive 24-inch exotic snake has been discovered on a Welsh mountain.
uk.news.yahoo.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Occurrences of people dumping live or even dead exotic snakes seem to be on the increase. Not only are the snakes likely to perish but there's a risk of transmission of disease vectors to native species.
uk.news.yahoo.com/scary-24-inc...
uk.news.yahoo.com/scary-24-inc...
Reposted by ARG UK
I loved
@hamzayassin.bsky.social's Hidden Wild Isles; especially Nigel Hand's passionate plea for adder conservation. These beautiful snakes are declining in UK and desperately need better habitat management and protection @arc-trust.bsky.social @argroupsuk.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
@hamzayassin.bsky.social's Hidden Wild Isles; especially Nigel Hand's passionate plea for adder conservation. These beautiful snakes are declining in UK and desperately need better habitat management and protection @arc-trust.bsky.social @argroupsuk.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Hamza's Hidden Wild Isles - Series 1: 1. Spring
Wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin spends the spring revealing hidden natural spectacles across the UK. Badgers, adders and nightingales offer memorable and intimate encounters.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I loved
@hamzayassin.bsky.social's Hidden Wild Isles; especially Nigel Hand's passionate plea for adder conservation. These beautiful snakes are declining in UK and desperately need better habitat management and protection @arc-trust.bsky.social @argroupsuk.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
@hamzayassin.bsky.social's Hidden Wild Isles; especially Nigel Hand's passionate plea for adder conservation. These beautiful snakes are declining in UK and desperately need better habitat management and protection @arc-trust.bsky.social @argroupsuk.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...