Sophie checking under one of the refugia for reptiles, Howard Roddie
It's Springtime for Reptiles
Spring squill (Scilla verna) - Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Spring is here and the Reptiles are waking up! Voluntary Trainee Sophie Tomlinson trains a new set of Reptile Surveyor Volunteers and shares her enthusiasm with Telling Our Story Volunteer Howard Roddie...
Springtime is usually seen as a time of Lambs, fluffy rabbits and daffodils. Equally, Potteric Carr, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s large and expanding site south of Doncaster is well known for birdlife with its large number of hides and spectacular starling murmurations in the winter.
A group of reptile enthusiasts meeting at Potteric Carr in early spring might seem a little unusual until you consider a few facts. Springtime in the UK is when all land-based life starts to stir - sprouting, flowering, growing, waking up from hibernation, migrating from warmer climes, breeding and feeding. Reptiles are no different and start to emerge when the morning temperatures reach around 10C at the start of Spring. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust manages reserves for the benefit of all natural wildlife. This includes everything from producers, such as trees, grass and algae to predators like foxes, owls and otters. Potteric Carr is famous for Birds, but it is managed for the benefit of everything that belongs there, including reptiles.
Enjoying the view over Potteric Carr, will we find any reptiles out there? Howard Roddie
Getting stuck into the training
Many of us will know about wildlife surveys that measure the rise and fall of species over time, like our Great Yorkshire Creature Count which happens in June each year, with over 4,000 Yorkshire-based participants. However, as you might guess, spending an hour watching your garden or any other outside space is probably going to result in a count of zero reptiles. This means we need a different approach based on carefully controlled surveys. This is where Sophie Tomlinson, our Voluntary Trainee for the South Reserves comes in, Sophie knows where and when to look!
A quick pause in the training for a group photo, Howard Roddie
On a Tuesday afternoon at the start of spring, a seemingly different group of people gathered in the cafe at Potteric Carr (excellent coffee there, by the way). One thing we all had in common was a keen interest in reptiles, and of course nature in general - meaning we all got on like a house on fire! Besides our keen interest, we were all there for other reasons too. One person spent all day looking at the computer, more so since working from home became a thing and wanted to have a break in the great outdoors. Another person was completing a course at York University where reptile research would be a help. This person traveled all the way from Kent to attend the training - who says volunteers are not dedicated? Luckily, he will be living locally. One volunteer wanted some 'me-time' away from daily distractions (including the kids of course). Our final volunteer had annual time allocated by their employer for volunteering and gravitated towards this role.
Sophie took us through the survey theory, followed by a tour around the survey trail where, sadly, we found no reptiles (too late in the day). On the way back to the office, Sophie showed us a place where blue tits were nesting, along with a few interesting facts about them - who knew they were the bullies of the bird world? Once back in the office, two people came to Sophie to report sightings in places off-trail - A snake and a lizard.
Sophie leading the training, Howard Roddie
Leading the training
The enthusiasm of students always makes the teacher’s job easier. So you may think Sophie’s task would be simple. Simple is the wrong word. Enjoyable would be closer!
Sophie mentions that organising the training has involved a lot of preparation and is just one of the parts of the Survey project that she manages. As a project manager myself, in a previous life, I recognise all the elements that this committed volunteer needs to manage to meet the objectives of the survey. Sophie also has to ensure that there are enough volunteers to do the surveys - Ideally one per day on suitable days. The surveying is also weather dependent as reptiles don't like weather that is either too hot or too cold. As well as this Sophie also has to arrange the surveys to ensure there is only one per day to minimise reptile disturbance and maximise the potential for sightings. Finally, on top of that she has to arrange the route and create the Refugie (The real plural of Refugia, Sophie informs me). Not to mention creating training manuals, route documentation, managing the health and safety of the volunteers involved, creating risk assessments etc with the support of her trainee manager.
Sophie also needs to recruit enthusiastic volunteers willing and able to turn up at 9am, according to a timetable, spend 2 hours walking the route, maybe not finding a snake or lizard at all.
Kick-starting her career
Sophie volunteers with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust because conservation is what she wants to do. Her Voluntary Traineeship involves a year-long commitment to volunteer 2 days per week. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust currently has 19 Voluntary Trainees across Yorkshire in a vareity of roles, completing either a 12-month or 6-month dedicated skills-building and training program with the aim of kick-starting their careers within the wildlife sector.
Sophie gains valuable experience and the opportunity to work on interesting projects - She doesn't just do reptiles, by the way. When I asked Sophie if the 2 days were flexible, her reply was to the effect that she could do more days if she wanted to - for example helping with livestock or even doing office-based projects. Yes, even working in the office… but at least the view is good. To support herself, Sophie also works at a local petrol station store:-
‘This traineeship has given me the opportunity to grow skills and provide me with an entry route option into working with nature and conservation as a full-time career. Wildlife conservation is my passion, and I can’t imagine doing anything else!’
Why not visit our YWT reptile page to discover more about Yorkshire's reptiles
Sophie can't imagine doing anything else, Howard Roddie