Written by Chloe Davey: Transforming Lives Trainee
As part of the Transforming Lives Project, the trainees and our wonderful volunteers collect data by participating in frequent reptile surveys. This data helps Froglife to keep a record of the different species residing on our three reserves. These include: Boardwalks Nature Reserve, Eye Green Nature Reserve and Hampton Nature Reserve.
We can’t be at all three reserves at the same time, but thanks to the Dragon Finder app, you can be a citizen scientist and help us by reporting what you see on your walks at our reserves. The Dragon Finder app also helps you to easily identify our reptile and amphibian species and is completely free to download!
Whilst doing a spot of maintenance at Eye Green, Trainee, Jade, was ecstatic to discover a rather large female common frog. Upon this magnificent discovery the other trainees rushed over in awe, after all who doesn’t love a frog? For the trainees she was a remarkable sight indeed as they were informed that there were no frogs on that particular reserve. This information was immediately reported on the Dragon Finder app, informing Froglife of the sighting and also everyone else who has downloaded the app.
The Dragon Finder app is great for nature enthusiasts. It can help you easily identify the many species of reptiles and amphibians in the UK. With a few questions about your sighting, the app can easily deduce what species you have spotted. You are then given the option to report your sighting, which helps inform us and other app users of the discovery. More information about the animal you saw is also provided by reading through a short yet fascinating description.
Sometimes what may be a common sighting for you may not be common for others. Keep that in mind the next time you make a discovery on your walk, you never know, your report may be more exciting than it seems!
Good luck readers, we look forward to your discoveries!
*Dragon Finder app data is also shared with the National Biodiversity Network and can be viewed on their online Atlas here.