Turtle Tally UK
@turtletallyuk.bsky.social
Initiated in 2018, a citizen science project carting out research into the issue of released pet freshwater turtles. Check out our website at www.turtletally.co.uk 🐢
Yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta) are primarily freshwater turtles found in slow-moving rivers, swamps, and ponds across the southeastern US.
#nonnative #pond #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #wildlife #citizenscience #research #sea #coastal
#nonnative #pond #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #wildlife #citizenscience #research #sea #coastal
April 7, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta) are primarily freshwater turtles found in slow-moving rivers, swamps, and ponds across the southeastern US.
#nonnative #pond #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #wildlife #citizenscience #research #sea #coastal
#nonnative #pond #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #wildlife #citizenscience #research #sea #coastal
These turtles were someone’s pet previously and not native species to the UK. Unfortunately, due to the size in adulthood and the husbandry and accommodation needed they often exceed what pet owners can provide.
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #nature #wildlife
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #nature #wildlife
April 7, 2026 at 6:54 AM
These turtles were someone’s pet previously and not native species to the UK. Unfortunately, due to the size in adulthood and the husbandry and accommodation needed they often exceed what pet owners can provide.
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #nature #wildlife
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #nature #wildlife
These photos are great in showing how the turtles bask and spread themselves out to increase surface area to absorb the suns rays and warm up.
Thank you Gemma!
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #citizenscience #park #ranger #conservation
Thank you Gemma!
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #citizenscience #park #ranger #conservation
April 7, 2026 at 6:48 AM
These photos are great in showing how the turtles bask and spread themselves out to increase surface area to absorb the suns rays and warm up.
Thank you Gemma!
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #citizenscience #park #ranger #conservation
Thank you Gemma!
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #citizenscience #park #ranger #conservation
Another example of how these turtles can be tricky to spot. This individual has emerged to bask in the sun on a branch. Thank you for sending this Kirsty!
Video credit: Kirsty Purvis
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #lake #citizenscience
Video credit: Kirsty Purvis
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #lake #citizenscience
April 7, 2026 at 6:45 AM
Another example of how these turtles can be tricky to spot. This individual has emerged to bask in the sun on a branch. Thank you for sending this Kirsty!
Video credit: Kirsty Purvis
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #lake #citizenscience
Video credit: Kirsty Purvis
#pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #greenspace #invasive #turtle #pet #reptile #lake #citizenscience
1/3 Earlier this month, a cooter turtle was found in a back garden in London and due to the weather, was assumed to be dead as it was motionless.
#research #citizenscience #pond #garden #nonnativespecies #invasivespecies #turtle #terrapin
#research #citizenscience #pond #garden #nonnativespecies #invasivespecies #turtle #terrapin
January 30, 2026 at 11:04 AM
1/3 Earlier this month, a cooter turtle was found in a back garden in London and due to the weather, was assumed to be dead as it was motionless.
#research #citizenscience #pond #garden #nonnativespecies #invasivespecies #turtle #terrapin
#research #citizenscience #pond #garden #nonnativespecies #invasivespecies #turtle #terrapin
We often receive sightings of turtles basking on waterfowl nests. Due to needing to thermoregulate and this allows them to warm in the sun and dry their shells.
Thanks Fiona and Kenneth for sending your reports to us.
#citizenscience #research #reptile #turtle #terrapin #canal #pond #lake #pet
Thanks Fiona and Kenneth for sending your reports to us.
#citizenscience #research #reptile #turtle #terrapin #canal #pond #lake #pet
December 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
This is our first reported sighting of a feral turtle out in December. This cooter was spotted in Hackney (London) by the canal on the 10th of this month.
Thanks to Maya and Luciana for sending these photos.
#citizenscience #research #reptile #turtle #terrapin #canal #pond #lake #pet
Thanks to Maya and Luciana for sending these photos.
#citizenscience #research #reptile #turtle #terrapin #canal #pond #lake #pet
December 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This is an ‘I know you’re there’ kind of moment. October signals the slow down on sightings reported.
www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #turtle #pet #river #parks #animals #research #citizenscience
www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #turtle #pet #river #parks #animals #research #citizenscience
October 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
This is an ‘I know you’re there’ kind of moment. October signals the slow down on sightings reported.
www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #turtle #pet #river #parks #animals #research #citizenscience
www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #turtle #pet #river #parks #animals #research #citizenscience
This yellow-bellied slider was found at the waters edge. Some are skittish and move or drop in the water when they see someone. Others are more habituated to humans, as ex-pets, just stay still.
#education #pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #turtle #pet #river #reptile #wildlife #nature #animals
#education #pond #nonnative #public #terrapin #turtle #pet #river #reptile #wildlife #nature #animals
October 10, 2025 at 6:09 AM
A yellow-bellied slider with really striking markings. Thanks Johnathan for this sighting 👍
www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #public #greenspace #ponds #lakes #pet #parks #citizenscience #research #rivers
www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #public #greenspace #ponds #lakes #pet #parks #citizenscience #research #rivers
August 12, 2025 at 6:01 AM
A yellow-bellied slider with really striking markings. Thanks Johnathan for this sighting 👍
www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #public #greenspace #ponds #lakes #pet #parks #citizenscience #research #rivers
www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #public #greenspace #ponds #lakes #pet #parks #citizenscience #research #rivers
A map turtle (often referred to as ‘sawbacks’) out basking at the weekend in a northeast London park.
#science #walk #Education #sun #pond #nonnative #animal #public #invasive #pet #citizenscience #nature #wildlife #sailing #paddleboarding #animal #GreenSpaces
#science #walk #Education #sun #pond #nonnative #animal #public #invasive #pet #citizenscience #nature #wildlife #sailing #paddleboarding #animal #GreenSpaces
July 28, 2025 at 7:42 AM
A map turtle (often referred to as ‘sawbacks’) out basking at the weekend in a northeast London park.
#science #walk #Education #sun #pond #nonnative #animal #public #invasive #pet #citizenscience #nature #wildlife #sailing #paddleboarding #animal #GreenSpaces
#science #walk #Education #sun #pond #nonnative #animal #public #invasive #pet #citizenscience #nature #wildlife #sailing #paddleboarding #animal #GreenSpaces
A few more females reported out and about. Here’s an adult female yellow-bellied slider found on land wandering recently.
Report sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#science #walk #canal #education #sun #pond #nonnative #public #citizenscience #animal #reptile #research #invasive
Report sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#science #walk #canal #education #sun #pond #nonnative #public #citizenscience #animal #reptile #research #invasive
July 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
A few more females reported out and about. Here’s an adult female yellow-bellied slider found on land wandering recently.
Report sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#science #walk #canal #education #sun #pond #nonnative #public #citizenscience #animal #reptile #research #invasive
Report sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#science #walk #canal #education #sun #pond #nonnative #public #citizenscience #animal #reptile #research #invasive
1/2 With the warm weather, the turtles are finding places to soak up the sun. They’ve chosen to bask in this floating vegetation at the waters surface.
#education #canal #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive #river #turtle #park #greenspace #conservation #science #sun #summer
#education #canal #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive #river #turtle #park #greenspace #conservation #science #sun #summer
July 1, 2025 at 4:41 AM
1/2 With the warm weather, the turtles are finding places to soak up the sun. They’ve chosen to bask in this floating vegetation at the waters surface.
#education #canal #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive #river #turtle #park #greenspace #conservation #science #sun #summer
#education #canal #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive #river #turtle #park #greenspace #conservation #science #sun #summer
This week we received a few reports of #turtles found wandering, digging or nesting. We’ve seen females finding soft sunny dirt patches but this female has dug a patch of lawn to uncover the soil underneath.
#canal #education #sun #nonnative #public #wildlifephotography #invasive #citizenscience
#canal #education #sun #nonnative #public #wildlifephotography #invasive #citizenscience
July 1, 2025 at 4:37 AM
This week we received a few reports of #turtles found wandering, digging or nesting. We’ve seen females finding soft sunny dirt patches but this female has dug a patch of lawn to uncover the soil underneath.
#canal #education #sun #nonnative #public #wildlifephotography #invasive #citizenscience
#canal #education #sun #nonnative #public #wildlifephotography #invasive #citizenscience
It’s been great to see the paddleboarding community help with our citizen science research.
#paddle #paddleboardingadventures #turtles #paddleboard #canal #river #lake #education #reptiles #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive
#paddle #paddleboardingadventures #turtles #paddleboard #canal #river #lake #education #reptiles #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive
June 28, 2025 at 7:03 AM
It’s been great to see the paddleboarding community help with our citizen science research.
#paddle #paddleboardingadventures #turtles #paddleboard #canal #river #lake #education #reptiles #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive
#paddle #paddleboardingadventures #turtles #paddleboard #canal #river #lake #education #reptiles #nonnative #public #terrapin #wildlifephotography #invasive
1/3 This is ‘June’, an adult female common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) who was found and brought to the NCRW from Higham Marsh RSPB reserve.
#rescue #animalcharity #rehoming #turtles #reptilerescuecentre #turtletally #turtletally🐢 #rspb #pet #citizenscience #rspbhighammarshes
#rescue #animalcharity #rehoming #turtles #reptilerescuecentre #turtletally #turtletally🐢 #rspb #pet #citizenscience #rspbhighammarshes
June 18, 2025 at 5:58 AM
1/3 This is ‘June’, an adult female common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) who was found and brought to the NCRW from Higham Marsh RSPB reserve.
#rescue #animalcharity #rehoming #turtles #reptilerescuecentre #turtletally #turtletally🐢 #rspb #pet #citizenscience #rspbhighammarshes
#rescue #animalcharity #rehoming #turtles #reptilerescuecentre #turtletally #turtletally🐢 #rspb #pet #citizenscience #rspbhighammarshes
It’s not always easy to spot them! 👀
Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park
Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park
June 16, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It’s not always easy to spot them! 👀
Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park
Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park
Thank you for your recent sightings, with the warm sunny weather they’re out basking and taking in the sun.
Report yours sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park
Report yours sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park
June 14, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Thank you for your recent sightings, with the warm sunny weather they’re out basking and taking in the sun.
Report yours sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park
Report yours sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #Turtle #pet #river #animals #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #nature #public #park
We’re at Raystede today talking with families about the project and research.
It’s FREE to come along!
Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #turtle #pet #river #animals #family #learningday #research #citizenscience #wildlife #naturelovers
It’s FREE to come along!
Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #turtle #pet #river #animals #family #learningday #research #citizenscience #wildlife #naturelovers
May 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
We’re at Raystede today talking with families about the project and research.
It’s FREE to come along!
Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #turtle #pet #river #animals #family #learningday #research #citizenscience #wildlife #naturelovers
It’s FREE to come along!
Report your sightings to: www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #nonnative #terrapin #invasive #turtle #pet #river #animals #family #learningday #research #citizenscience #wildlife #naturelovers
May 25, 2025 at 10:28 AM
You can really see why people bought red-eared sliders as pets before they were listed on the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulations.
Please submit sightings to www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #pond #nonnative #animal #public #pet #invasive #river #lake #park #wildlife #nature #animals
Please submit sightings to www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #pond #nonnative #animal #public #pet #invasive #river #lake #park #wildlife #nature #animals
May 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
You can really see why people bought red-eared sliders as pets before they were listed on the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulations.
Please submit sightings to www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #pond #nonnative #animal #public #pet #invasive #river #lake #park #wildlife #nature #animals
Please submit sightings to www.turtletally.co.uk
#education #pond #nonnative #animal #public #pet #invasive #river #lake #park #wildlife #nature #animals
Day 5: Invasive Species Week
Thank you to Local Action Groups (LAGs) 👏🤝🫶with numerous volunteers working on invasive species management.
#education #pond #Rangers #nonnative #animal #public #rehomenotrelease #pets #research #plants #lake #river #invasive
Thank you to Local Action Groups (LAGs) 👏🤝🫶with numerous volunteers working on invasive species management.
#education #pond #Rangers #nonnative #animal #public #rehomenotrelease #pets #research #plants #lake #river #invasive
May 16, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Day 5: Invasive Species Week
Thank you to Local Action Groups (LAGs) 👏🤝🫶with numerous volunteers working on invasive species management.
#education #pond #Rangers #nonnative #animal #public #rehomenotrelease #pets #research #plants #lake #river #invasive
Thank you to Local Action Groups (LAGs) 👏🤝🫶with numerous volunteers working on invasive species management.
#education #pond #Rangers #nonnative #animal #public #rehomenotrelease #pets #research #plants #lake #river #invasive
Day 4: Invasive Species Week
Guidance for rescues and veterinary practices on Species of Special Concern.
www.nonnativespecies.org
#education #pond #Rangers #rehomenotrelease #nonnative #animal #public #terrapin #turtle #herpetology #citizenscience #pet #park #pond #lake
Guidance for rescues and veterinary practices on Species of Special Concern.
www.nonnativespecies.org
#education #pond #Rangers #rehomenotrelease #nonnative #animal #public #terrapin #turtle #herpetology #citizenscience #pet #park #pond #lake
May 15, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Day 4: Invasive Species Week
Guidance for rescues and veterinary practices on Species of Special Concern.
www.nonnativespecies.org
#education #pond #Rangers #rehomenotrelease #nonnative #animal #public #terrapin #turtle #herpetology #citizenscience #pet #park #pond #lake
Guidance for rescues and veterinary practices on Species of Special Concern.
www.nonnativespecies.org
#education #pond #Rangers #rehomenotrelease #nonnative #animal #public #terrapin #turtle #herpetology #citizenscience #pet #park #pond #lake
Day 3: Invasive Species Week
Our work focuses on released pet freshwater turtles that are found in waterbodies across the country. These animals are not native here and do not belong in our ponds and lakes.
#education #pond #nonnative #animal #turtle #lake #nature #wildlife #citizenscience #pet
Our work focuses on released pet freshwater turtles that are found in waterbodies across the country. These animals are not native here and do not belong in our ponds and lakes.
#education #pond #nonnative #animal #turtle #lake #nature #wildlife #citizenscience #pet
May 14, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Day 3: Invasive Species Week
Our work focuses on released pet freshwater turtles that are found in waterbodies across the country. These animals are not native here and do not belong in our ponds and lakes.
#education #pond #nonnative #animal #turtle #lake #nature #wildlife #citizenscience #pet
Our work focuses on released pet freshwater turtles that are found in waterbodies across the country. These animals are not native here and do not belong in our ponds and lakes.
#education #pond #nonnative #animal #turtle #lake #nature #wildlife #citizenscience #pet