About Our UK NON-NATIVE AMPHIBIAN IDENTIFICATION Training

Morning Session: 9:30am - 1:15pm

09:30 - Delegates arrive at the Olive Grove Conference Centre, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6LW (ample free parking all day tea and coffee provided) delegates to download course materials onto their laptops.

10:00 - 10:30 - Welcome, introductions, course objectives & aims.

10:30 - 10:45 - Overview of relevant legislation applicable to non-native amphibians found in the UK and a brief review of current licensing implications. 

10:45 - 11:00 - The current distribution of UK non-native amphibian populations.

11:00 - 12:45 - Review of UK non-native amphibian species ecology & habitats, incorporating delegate ‘hands on’ species identification with live adult male & female specimens (also as available their eggs & larvae / spawn & tadpoles). To include  non-native amphibian species that consultant ecologists may encounter in the UK at some point during their career i.e. Alpine Newt, Marbled Newt, Italian Crested Newt, Marsh Frog, Midwife Toad, European Tree Frog and Northern Pool Frog.

12:45 - 13:15 - Buffet lunch (provided).

Afternoon Session: 1:15pm - 4:15pm 

13:15 - 14.00 - Non-native amphibian aquatic survey methods including eDNA water sampling, newt egg or larvae search, frog / toad spawn or tadpole search, frog & toad call recognition, hand netting, bottle / box trapping, torch survey and refugia search.

14:00 - 14:15 - Data recording, reporting and importance of biosecurity measures.

14:15 - 14:45 - Non-native amphibian encounters, the implications of taking captured UK non-native amphibians into long term captivity and/or their humane dispatch. Implications of appropriate animal welfare legislation. 

14:45 - 15:15 - Proposed / ongoing UK licensed amphibian introductions / reintroductions associated with habitat rewilding and eco-system restoration projects.

15:15 - 16.00 - Delegate Assessment (including multiple choice answer questionnaire).

16:00 - 16:15 - Course Close.