Trevor Rose - our Society Secretary and developer of amphibian ladders as a solution to avoid the needless deaths of countless amphibians in drains and similar traps - recently travelled by invitation to South Korea to explore and promote the idea of the ladders being used there. Read more here: 
Going Global!
Rangers from Lewes District Council are among the latest groups of users of the BHS ladders - see here for the full story: Lewes amphibian rescues
It is with great sadness that we report the sudden and untimely passing of John Pickett on the 19th of July. John was a loyal and active BHS member over many years, well known to many of us. Joint founder of the Bulletin in 1980 (together with Simon Townson), John remained as co-editor for almost 20 years. During his long period of membership John had several spells on Council and had recently re-joined Council in the post of Trade Officer. A full obituary will be published in due course. In the meantime, we offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
The ever popular annual BHS photographic competition is being held at the AGM on April 21st, at Drayton Manor Park Hotel.
See full details of the AGM here 2018 AGM
And details of the photo competition here 2018 Photo Comp
To ensure our digital presence is maintained as effectively as possible, we're delighted to launch the new website - with a bold, clear new design and revised layout intended to make it even easier for visitors to navigate around.
The site also includes some new features which will help us ensure that members get maximum value from their membership. Please take some time to have a look around!
As before, the site has been designed and developed by AyeAye Design.
The 2016 BHS field trip to Surrey has been finalised - download details and the booking form here:
Surrey (Witley) Field Trip - Booking Form129.39 KB
It will take place on Sunday 1st of May, starting at 9am at the Witley Centre, Surrey.
Places are limited and BHS field trips are very popular, so please book early!
Seeing a Toad on the Road warning triangle whilst driving, may make you raise a smile, but its certainly no laughing matter for the adventurous amphibians. These highway signs have become a feature of our roads in recent years in an effort to prevent high-speed killings of our indigenous toads, frogs and newts during the peak times of migration.
Added to the mix of these head-on collisions: road salting, agrichemicals, pollution and habitat damage, and its easy to see why local amphibian populations are becoming imperilled.
But whilst motorists are alerted to the road crossing routes of the migration process, a far more deadly incarceration awaits these creatures in the form of the roadside drain. Gullypots (roadside drains) have long been a problem for amphibians and other animals as a source of entrapment and certain death.
An amusing notion perhaps but extremely effective. Following a sixweek trial of 38 gullypots in Scotland in 2014, successful escapes by drainentrapped amphibians was almost 73%. In the trial jute covered metal strips with a semi-ellipsoidal curve at the top were placed just below the drain grating and had no adverse effect on drainage or maintenance
Now commercially produced, these escape ladders have an Enkamat® covering and a minimum 10 year life. Endorsed by the British Herpetological Society, all proceeds from the sale of the £15 product support further conservation work. As migration time fast approaches Local Councils and Highway Authorities are being implored to consider the installation of these small, clever devices in local hot-spots.
The British Herpetological Society is a registered charity established in 1947. Its Herpetological Journal is ranked as one of the leading scientific publications devoted to herpetology. The Society actively supports conservation of native British species, field studies and conservation management worldwide, scientific research, captive breeding programmes of reptile and amphibian species and exchanges knowledge and expertise both in the UK and around the world.
The trial referred to in the article was conducted by McInroy, C. & Rose, T. A. (2015) Trialling amphibian ladders within roadside gullypots in Angus, Scotland: 2014 impact study. Herpetological Bulletin 132, pp15-19.
Press Contact: Trevor Rose (BHS Secretary), 07778 830192,
Press Release PDF attached below:
Not yet a member of the British Herpetological Society, and interested in amphibian conservation? Join the BHS during July and August 2015
and you will be entered into a draw to win 1 of 5 free frog adoption packs, sponsoring a frog at Manchester Museum.
To find out more about membership and prices, click here.
More information regarding sponsoring the frogs at Manchester Museum can be found here.
NOTE: This offer is only open to new members.
We were very saddened to hear of the recent passing of Monica Green. Monica was one of the founder members of the BHS and acted as Membership Secretary from the Society's inception in 1947 until her retirement from active involvement in 2004 - a full 57 years. Monica's contribution during that period cannot be overstated. The Society was extremely fortunate to benefit from her dedication and commitment; she will be sadly missed.
The British Herpetological Society are very pleased to launch a new, much improved website. The new site includes an enhanced online payment process for members joining for the first time or renewing, as well as a great new look and easier navigation for users.
Launch of the new website – designed and developed by Aye-aye Design – is the culmination of a very significant project that was embarked on almost a year ago. The Society fully recognises the importance of maintaining an effective on-line presence; the new site - with many additional features for both users and site administrators - is a key element of this strategy.
The British Herpetological Society is featured in the September 2010 issue of Practical Reptile Keeping. You can read the full article here:
