Wyre Forest Study Group – Reptiles and Amphibians (Herpetofauna) articles
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Wyre Forest Reptile Report 2020 correlated with meteorological data – Syliva Sheldon, Chris Bradley & Phil Rudlin
This article provides the 2020 Adder census data for a project that has been running for some 30 years. Here Sylvia Sheldon highlights some of the extraordinary challenges that 2020 produced and their possible impact on this important study. Notwithstanding these restrictions and the adverse weather conditions, the continuity of data was achieved. Considerable concern continues to exist around the population of Adders within the Wyre Forest, as this article explains.
(From Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2020)
Wyre Forest Reptile Report 2019 correlated with meteorological data – Syliva Sheldon, Chris Bradley & Phil Rudlin
For more than 19 years, Syliva Sheldon and Chris Bradley have been studying and recording the populations of Adders and Grassnakes within the Wyre Forest. Acknowledging the importance of volunteer work parties helping to improve the habitat and complete the annual census, Syliva explains the vital importance of the co-operative efforts of local landowners, including Forestry England led by Phil Rudlin, in preserving the remaining populations of these important reptiles in Wyre Forest.
(From Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2019)
Wyre Forest Reptile Report 2018 correlated with meteorological data – Syliva Sheldon, Chris Bradley & Phil Rudlin
With detailed research and records covering 18 years or more,
(From Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2018)
Wyre Forest Reptile Report 2017 correlated with meteorological data – Syliva Sheldon and Chris Bradley
With detailed research and records covering 17 years or more,
(From Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2017)
Recent Encounters with Reptiles – Roger Plant
With eagle eyes and a trigger finger never far from the shutter button of his camera, Roger Plant shares a composite of photographs of one of his
(From Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2017)
Wyre Forest Newts, 2016 update – Val Lambourne and Phil Rudlin
This article provides an overview of the newt survey in Wyre which began in
(From Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2016)
Reptile Management on Forestry Commission land, 2016 – Phil Rudlin
This article describes recent management in a heathy part of the forest which aims to provide more open space for reptiles.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2016)
Wyre Forest Reptile Report 2016 – Sylvia Sheldon and Chris Bradley
This report provides information about the status and distribution of reptiles in Wyre and includes weather data for the Dowles valley, a footnote is provided by Phil Rudlin (Forestry Commission).
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2016)
Wyre Forest Reptile Report 2015 – Sylvia Sheldon and Chris Bradley
The results of the 2015 reptile survey in the Wyre Forest are shown and compared with previous years. Monthly weather conditions from records made in the Dowles Valley are documented.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2015)
Reptile Management in Forestry Commission Land 2015 – Phil Rudlin
This article expresses concern about the decline of reptiles in Wyre and demonstrates some of the management that has been undertaken recently to provide more favourable linked-up habitats for these species
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2015)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour 2013 and 2014 – Sylvia Sheldon and Chris Bradley
The results of the 2013 and 2014 reptile surveys in the Wyre Forest are shown and compared with those of previous years. Monthly weather conditions from records taken in the Dowles Valley are documented.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2014)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated with Weather 2012 – Sylvia Sheldon and Chris Bradley
The results of the 2012 reptile survey in the Wyre Forest are shown and compared with those of previous years. An update on the adder telemetry project is given and monthly weather conditions from records taken in the Dowles Valley are documented.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2013)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated with Weather 2011 – Sylvia Sheldon, Chris Bradley, Alonza Garbett, Louise Sutherland
The results of the 2011 reptile survey in the Wyre Forest are shown and compared with those of previous years. An update on the adder telemetry project is given and monthly weather conditions from records taken in the Dowles Valley are documented.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2012)
Wyre Forest Newt Survey 2011 – Val Lambourne
This article describes how a newt survey was conducted in Wyre using the Dewsbury Box, and documents the results.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2012)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated with Weather 2010 – Sylvia Sheldon, Chris Bradley, Alonza Garbett
This article documents the reptile numbers found at sites across Wyre and provides information about the telemetry project undertaken through the Grow With Wyre Project.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2011)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated with Weather 2009 – Sylvia Sheldon, Chris Bradley, Alonza Garbett
The results of the 2009 reptile survey in the Wyre Forest are provided and compared with those of previous years. Monthly weather conditions from records taken in the Dowles Valley are documented.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2010)
Identification of Individual Adders Vipera berus by their Head Markings – Alonza Garbett
The author describes how his grandmother Sylvia Sheldon with Chris Bradley first published a paper in 1989 describing how they learnt to identify individual adders by their head markings. This has now become common practice for herpetologists.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2008)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated with Weather 2007 – Sylvia Sheldon, Chris Bradley, Alonza Garbett
Results of the annual reptile survey for 2007 in the Wyre Forest are provided and monthly local weather conditions documented.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2008)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated with Weather 2006 – Sylvia Sheldon, Chris Bradley, Alonza Garbett
The results of the reptile survey in the Wyre Forest during 2006 are documented and compared with previous years. Detailed monthly weather records are provided for that year.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2007)
The authors present thier review of Herpetofauna Behaviour, correlated with Weather Conditions, 2005 – Adders, Grass Snakes, Slow-worms and lizards are recorded in 2005 and weather conditions are listed for each month.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2006)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated with Weather Conditions 2004 – Sylvia Sheldon
The author provides the results of her reptile survey in the Wyre Forest during 2004 and links these with weather conditions for that year. She expresses her strong concern for the serious decline in numbers of adders in recent years.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2005)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated with Weather Conditions 2003 – Sylvia Sheldon
The author provides the results of her reptile survey in the Wyre Forest during 2003 and links her finds to weather conditions during the year.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2004)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated with Weather Conditions 2002 – Sylvia Sheldon
The author describes the results of her reptile survey in the Wyre Forest in 2002 and summarises the monthly weather conditions.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2003)
The Common Frog (Rana temporaria) and its Breeding Status in Wyre – Rosemary Winnall
The Common Frog is our commonest British amphibian and is present in the Wyre Forest in good numbers. Breeding pools have been visited by recorders since 1988 and numbers of spawn clumps recorded. This article provides this data, plus notes of interest about frog behaviour and lifestyle.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2003)
Review of Herpetofauna Behaviour correlated and Weather Conditions 2001 – Sylvia Sheldon
The author provides the results of her reptile survey in the Wyre Forest for 2001 and describes the weather for each month.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2002)
Review of Adder Behaviour and Weather Conditions 2000 – Sylvia Sheldon
The author describes the weather conditions during the months of 2000, especially as they relate to reptile observations. She provides figures that demonstrate the sharp decline in adders in recent years and expresses her concern about the future for this species in the Wyre Forest.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2001)
Wyre Forest Adder Census and 1999 Report, with Meteorological Data – Sylvia Sheldon
This article describes weather conditions in the forest in the year 1999. The author compares weather conditions for the years 1990 to 1999 especially aspects linked to reptile activity, and provides records of first adder sightings, and first slough in relation to air and grass temperature. Sylvia expresses her grave concerns about the decline in adder numbers and suggests reasons for this.
(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2000)
Male Adder, Button Oak
Phil Rudlin
Female Adder – Vipera berus
Rosemary Winnall
2 male Adders in combat
Sylvia Sheldon
Common Lizard
Lacerta vivipara
Adder
Mathew Lissimore
Young lizards sunbathing
Rosemary Winnall
Adder, Wyre Forest
Alonza Garbett
Grass Snakes
Natrix natrix
Rosemary Winnall
Slow-Worm
Anguls fragillis
Rosemary Winnall
