Training for the Big Newt Count

It’s an exciting year for Froglife on Hampton Nature Reserve near Peterborough in 2012 – it’s the year of our Big Newt Count. This massive survey takes place every five years to check how the thousands of newts on the site are getting on. It involves going out over a number of nights in spring to shine torches in the ponds on the site and recording what’s seen.

Join us to survey the newts at Hampton Nature Reserve

So, do you fancy being part of could be the biggest newt survey ever we? Join us for some training this Saturday to find out more. This is also one of the first events for the revamped Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Amphibian and Reptile Group (CPARG).

We will be covering the top tips for survey skills before heading out to the Reserve to become more familiar with the site.

The evening surveys will run between the beginning of April until the end of May, depending on the weather, and there will also be some weekend surveys.

We’re putting together a team of volunteers to help Reserve Warden Paul Furnborough and his assistant Nick Peers cover as many of the ponds as possible, and we’d love to have you on board!

• If you would like to be part of the Big Count team and attend the training, please get in touch with Paul on 07977250048 or email paul.furnborough@froglife.org
• This course is suitable for beginners but would equally represent a good refresher for experienced surveyors.
• Date: Saturday 24th March
• Time: 12-4PM indoor theory, 2hr break, 6-9PM outdoor practical
• Location: Froglife Offices, 2A Flag Business Estate, Vicarage Farm Rd, Peterborough, PE1 5TX
• Cost: Free to HNR volunteers who will be invovled in the survey, £15 to CPARG members surveying across the region
• Facilities: The indoor session has toilets and tea/coffee facilities, however the reserve has no facilities and access is across rough/steep and potentially slippy ground, so a degree of physical confidence is required