Ontario Nature began a 1-year reptiles-at-risk project this April to document populations of listed reptile species in and around nature reserves in Grey and Bruce counties. Reptiles are cryptic, difficult to find, and receive less attention than most other taxa. As a result, their populations are very poorly documented in many regions.
This summer I will be conducting surveys to document reptile population occurrence and map potential habitat in and around the Kinghurst forest, Malcolm-Kirk, Lyal Island, Petrel Point, Bruce Alvar, and Baptist Harbour nature reserves. This information will be used to manage the nature reserves for these species at risk and help to identify population occurrence and connectivity across the landscape.
As is the case with most active searches, the more people out looking for reptiles the more success we will have. I would like to encourage anyone who is interested in helping out with reptile surveys, even if only for a day or two, to contact me at joec@ontarionature.org The work will occur all summer and into the fall, the schedule is very flexible, and no commitment is required.
Joe Crowley
Ontario Nature Reptiles-at-Risk Project coordinator
