Volunteers will be greeted on arrival and given a brief chat about the habitat and what reptiles they may encounter on the day.
As the day progresses, volunteers will be shown survey methods and given the chance to have a go whilst being observed by project officer, John Grundy. Guidance and hints will be given throughout the day so that you can build up a good idea of how to suitable habitat and hopefully stand a good chance of seeing reptiles when you survey an area.
Volunteers should bring clothing to cover all possible weather conditions – nothing too brightly-coloured or any hi-vis. We also ask that you avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes. Bring sturdy footwear and a packed lunch.
Training can last up to four hours if the weather permits.
Volunteers should be aware that ground conditions can be rough, muddy and wet with long vegetation in places.
Some sites may be more than a half hour walk from the nearest parking facilities so be prepared.
To register your interest in any of these Reptile Survey Training please email project officer, John Grundy on jgrundy@durhamwt.co.uk
JUNE Training Survey Dates
Thursday 1st Muggleswick Burn and Derwent River NZ041499 In Muggleswick Village next to phone box DH8 9DW Exploring the burn down to the river and around farm where owners claim to have grass snake population.
Friday 2nd Allensford Ravenscragg, Moss and Bog woods along Derwent River meeting NZ081503 car park next to Allensford caravan park.
Saturday 3rd Colegate Burn meeting at NZ043486 on side of road grass edge.
Thursday 8th Edmundbyers meeting at NZ014501 Top of Church Lane where it meets the B6306. Park on church Lane and walk up hill. Exploring along South facing banks and old mining tracks Drylane Ways on Edmundbyers Common.
Friday 9th Black Burn & River Browney at Butsfield. Off A68 opposite Eliza Lane heading towards Oxen Law Farm. Meeting at NZ085454 Limited Parking.
Saturday 10th Salters Gate Lane meeting at NZ077426 junction Salters Gate Lane Drovers House Lane. Exploring moorland.
Thursday 15th Meeting at NZ173504 Lanchester Road A6076 exploring reclaimed quarry site adjacent to DWT Burnhope reserve.
Friday 16th Dipton A692 meeting at NZ 14498 53048 lane leading to cottages. Exploring valley between Dipton and Medomsley
Saturday 17th Hollinside Hall off Derwent Walk meeting at NZ 18628 60951 car park in Winlaton Mill at traffic lights on A694 walking from car park up through park over Derwent Walk into woods and around old hall and wetland site adjacent to Gibside.
Wednesday 21st Egglestone Common. Meeting at NY 99699 30660 off the B6278 Stanhope to Middleton Road in gravel layby.
Thursday 22nd Bollihope Burn Weardale Way Meeting at NZ 00763 34989 on grass parking area on river bank off unnamed road between Frosterley and B6278. Low Bollihope Pine Woods is opposite side of road. Exploring the old quarry sites and hill sides.
Friday 23rd Stanhope top of Crawleyside Bank. Meet in gravel parking area NY 99347 40772 at top of Crawleyside Bank off B6278. Exploring common moorland above Stanhope village.
Thursday 29th Dead Fryers Quarry NY 97201 45251 on Meadows Edge Road. Gravel and grass verge parking near entrance. Exploring moorland around quarry itself not in quarry.
Friday 30th Burnhope meeting in parking area overlooking Lanchester at NZ 18100 48111 on Edge Lane Burnhope. Going into wetlands and woods.
Saturday Family Reptile Day at Shibdon Ponds from 10 till 12. Organised by Kirsty Pollard of DWT. Any volunteers willing to help out with activities for families are more than welcome to come along. I’m hoping before then to get some tins out on site for surveying purposes. Anyone living locally who would like to offer to be the Shibdon surveyor, please step forward.
All these are 8.30am starts. This is as early as they are going to get. Weather is heating up so we won’t be staying out past lunch time as we have on past surveys.