Above photo: Terry and Nick (Annie Parsons)
RSPB Arne is an extremely special place for reptiles, one of just a handful of places in the UK which is home to all six native reptile species. For RSPB Arne’s reptile survey team, these elusive creatures can be both fascinating and surprising. We joined two volunteers on the surveying team, Terry Bagley and Nick Hull, to find out more. Nick and Terry have both been doing reptile surveys at Arne for over 5 years. Their passion for protecting these incredible creatures and caring for the land that supports them is clear.
As we look out over Grip Heath, Nick recalls his earlier days volunteering in conservation. This land used to be completely overrun with rhododendrons, he tells me. He was part of a group supervising what was then the Young Ornithologists Club, who helped to clear this land and restore it to the heathland it is today.
Nick at the first cover location. Nick and Terry spend several hours every week of the summer doing the reptile surveys. (Annie Parsons)
It is this incredibly important habitat that makes RSPB Arne such a special place for reptiles. Large areas of the site are lowland heathland, which provides the perfect conditions that reptiles need for food, shelter, and to breed. Sand Lizards and Smooth Snakes are both threatened species, so it’s especially exciting that they are so prevalent at Arne. Arne is also home to Common Lizards, Grass Snakes, Adders and Slow Worms.
Regular surveying helps us to keep track of which reptiles are present where at Arne, and whether their numbers are increasing or decreasing. Nick, Terry, and the team survey in the summer months by checking locations across the reserve where special reptile covers have been placed. All surveyors are trained and licensed to do this specialist work.
At Arne, we have a year-round program of conservation work, and the surveys help to measure the impact of our work. Knowing the trends in reptile numbers is an important part of planning how best to protect them. It’s a fine balance to keep habitats and ecosystems just right, particularly for our rarer species.
Nick and Terry lift a cover to see what’s underneath! (Annie Parsons)
Hyde’s Heath is an amazing example of the positive impact of our conservation work. The RSPB acquired Hyde’s Heath in 2019 with the help of The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We have since been working to restore the land from a former pine plantation to species-rich heathland. After just a few years of monitoring, Terry marvels at the difference it has made. “The first year we found just one Common Lizard. This year we found Sand Lizards, Grass Snakes, Adders, and Slow Worms.” It’s amazing to see how quickly reptiles are returning to the area.
Why do Nick and Terry dedicate so much of their time to these surveys?
Nick: “It’s giving something back, doing our bit, if you like. We’re both just into wildlife full stop. Because we’re out here with our eyes open, we end up seeing lots of rare things, not just reptiles. Sometimes we even see Nightjars making nests in the bare patches of ground where reptile covers used to be.”
Terry: “We still get excited when we have an incredible day or see something unusual. Just last week, we saw eight smoothies [smooth snakes] in one day. That’s really noticeable. That’s really special.”
A coiled smooth snake (Terry Bagley)
Across the UK, all reptiles are in decline due to habitat fragmentation, degradation, and loss. We asked Terry and Nick how the wider community can best support reptiles at Arne.
All UK reptiles are protected by law.
Our thanks to Terry, Nick and all the reptile survey team for their invaluable work that helps protect all 6 of our wonderful native reptile species.
For more information:
Annie Parsons and Liz Rodgers