A wealth of wildlife
	Reptile and Amphibian Group Who knows where Cornwall's best places for reptiles and amphibians are? The answer is that no one does. That's why it's so important that we should get out and do more survey work to identify the best populations and get them protected through the County Wildlife Sites system (see page 18). As an aid to this, can anyone donate some corrugated roofing tin (it doesn't matter if it's rusty and holed)? This can be cut into small "tins" for use in reptile monitoring work. If you are interested in helping with CRAG's work, please get in touch. Mark Nicholson This common lizard was photographed on Port Gaverne Hill, Port Isaac, last year. The beautiful green colour sometimes shown by individuals of this species undoubtedly accounts for occasional false records of the sand lizard - a species which occurs on just one site (an introduced colony) in Cornwall. Join CRAG, our Reptile and Amphibian Group, if you would like to help us conserve these creatures. Photo: Malcolm Lee	Bat Group The fine spring has meant a good start to the breeding season, with early indications that young are doing well and not being abandoned in large numbers as has happened in some recent wet springs. The Bat Group is continuing to give help and advice to people with bats in their houses, particularly with re-roofing, timber treatment and loft conversion issues. We always try to make sure that a roost site is maintained for the bats after work is carried out. We have also been carrying out a survey of bridges prior to strengthening and rebuilding work, and so far have found three different bat species: pipistrelle, Daubenton's and whiskered. Daniel Eva
Mammal Group Your home is host to a range of mammals - not just your family or domestic pets - whether invited or not. Starting upstairs, you may have bats such as tiny pipistrelles in your rooftop seeking small, warm spaces. Or you may support the smelly house mouse, which always lives within a metre or so of its food supply - which is easy in your home as it eats almost anything. Your garden may harbour many mammals. Some are welcome, like the gardener's friend the slug- eating hedgehog. Others are not, like the mole who disrupts lawns with soil heaps. Grey squirrels are among our most frequently seen mammals and enrage or delight as they raid bird tables with great persistence and agility. Larger mammals can also be seen around, such as the badger rooting for worms in the garden or the so-called "urban fox", even in big towns or cities. Outbuildings and barns can, of course, also provide accommodation for other mammals like the brown rat, a worldwide resourceful rodent. Many species have come to rely on our homes and gardens, as our countryside is ever subject to loss through development, disturbance and changes in agricultural practice. Whatever the size of your property it can become an invaluable haven for wildlife. For more information on how to make your garden wildlife friendly, contact Nic Harrison-White at the Wildlife Information Service (at ERCCIS). Kate Stokes