I'm training for a great crested newt licence!

[dampflippers]

I thought that those of you who are newtifiles might be interested to know I'm training for a licence so I can survey etc by myself.
I've joined the local reptile and amphibian group, been on frog swabbing sessions, been on a NARRS training course, and I now have to survey a pond for amphibians for it, been on another amphibian course, and am currently helping a consultant on surveys to gain experience.
I would highly recommend it if you like amphibians and want to get a bit closer to them!

To find your local amphibian and reptile group, look here: http://www.arg-uk.org.uk/ or here: http://www.arg-uk.org.uk/contacts.htm
To find out about the National amphibian and reptile recording scheme look here: http://www.narrs.org.uk/ Anyone can do it, but it's best if you do one of their training courses first.
Here are the remaining amphibian and reptile survey training sessions for the year: http://www.narrs.org.uk/training2008.html
(Although I know there will also be a reptile session in the north east in May)

Go on- you know you want to! Join your local group an or do a NARRS survey (or even just their garden pond surveys and compost heap slowworm survey.

[alison]

Sounds fabulous Damp. I know how much you are interested in the local wildlife around you and in your schools etc. It is so worthwhile.

[dampflippers]

I know this thread is old, but I finally applied for a licence this year and got it at the beginning of April.

[alison]

Oh Well Done Damp. That is really good news. Congratulations I just wish I had some newts here.
This guy came the other day delivering a parcel for me which I needed him to take into the back garden. (fruit trees and heavy compost) When he saw my pond he loved it and said that he had built one recently and left it to settle for a few weeks before putting fish in, when it was inundated with frogs and newts. Now he has decided to leave it for them and not get his fish after all. I was just so envious that it had filled with newts. I would love them to come into mine.
I bet you are going to have a wonderful time looking and making notes and keeping a check on all the lovely little creatures. Fabulous.