ARG UK, in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), are launching two questionnaires as part of a wider project on the status of the adder (Vipera berus) in Great Britain.

These questionnaires are designed to assess the current regional status of the adder, and determine whether changes have occurred to its populations in the UK since 1990, when the last national survey was conducted by Hilton-Brown & Oldham (see reference below). The results will be used to inform adder conservation.

Survey #1: Regional status of adders

In the first survey, we are interested in the distribution of adders in a region (this should preferably be a county or Vice County, but should be at least the size of a borough), and any changes in this distribution since 1990. This will tell us about the current status of the adder at a broader scale, and our methods follow those of an earlier study so that we can make comparisons with this data set (Hilton-Brown, D & Oldham, RS. 1991). For this element of the survey, we do not expect respondents to have detailed survey data for all sites in the region, but you should be confident that you can give a reasonable assessment of the status of adders across the whole region, and any changes to these populations since 1990.

To participate in this first questionnaire please follow this link: Adder Status Questionnaire #1

Survey #2: Population status at particular sites

The second questionnaire is designed to assess changes in the population status of adders at particular sites, as we are interested in the dynamics of adder populations at particular sites, and changes in the status of these populations since 1990. As for our first questionnaire, our methods follow that of a previous study so that we can make comparisons (Baker J., Suckling J., & Carey R., 2004).

For the purposes of this survey we are defining a site as a continuous area within which the resident adders can disperse freely, thereby functioning as a single population. A site could cover an area from one hectare up to around 300 hectares. Occupied areas above 300 hectares should ideally be split into smaller blocks.

For this element of the survey, you should be confident that you can give a reasonable assessment of adder population and population changes at your chosen site since 1990, but do not have to have a wider knowledge of the whole region.

To participate in this second questionnaire please follow this link: Adder Status Questionnaire #2

In both cases, don't worry if you can only help with some of the questions - this will still be extremely useful.

The questionnaire has been re-opened from 12 October 2016. 

Thanks in advance for your participation. If you have any queries, please contact Angie Julian: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

Baker J., Suckling J., & Carey R. (2004). Status of the adder Vipera berus and slow-worm Anguis fragilis in England. English Nature Research Reports, No 546.

Hilton-Brown, D. and Oldham, R.S. (1991) The Status of the widespread Amphibians and Reptiles in Britain, 1990, and changes during the 1990s. Nature Conservancy Council Contract surveys, 131.