Please forgive me if this has been covered already: I did a search but the right topic did not appear.
Please could someone advise on the taking and posting of photographs of protected species, e.g. Common Lizard… can these be photographed with zoom at respectable distance and without causing disturbance so long as it is not a nest-site or equivalent, please?
I was told (and it may well be true…) that some particularly rare/threatened species, perhaps those like Fen-Raft spiders, require a licence/permit.
How do we learn or know these things, please? Is there a website or list, please?
Thank you everyone! 
Websearching reveals stuff https://www.outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk/latest/articles/2015/08/wildlife-photography-know-the-law/
and
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protected-species-when-to-apply-for-a-licence-to-survey-film-or-photograph-them
and
https://alexhyde.photoshelter.com/image/I0000HC.suCVYUaY (This photograph was taken under licence)
You need to look at the Red List and if you might disturb the habitat or creature then you should talk to someone.
Perhaps begin here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wildlife-licences - all four UK Countries are a click away there.
Typically -
"Our rarest terrestrial reptile, the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis), and all our marine turtles also receive protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) from the following:
Disturbing whilst occupying a place of shelter or protection
Obstructing access to a place of shelter or protection
Sale / offering for sale
NRW [National Resource Wales] can issue licences for several purposes under this legislation, including scientific, research, educational, conservation and photography, but not for development."
Thank you, dejayM, very much for your prompt response. This is a very good starting point and I will take a careful look.
I’m not wanting to apply for special licences etc. (at the current time) as my photography is really what I happen to see on outings, wanders round the garden etc. … but many of us encounter some unusual things every so often and I wondered if there was a quick-look iSpot set of rules/guidelines covering this topic on the site? It’s clear to me that we want to cause as little disruption as possible while taking photos, but there may be times when we (those of us who feel less experienced) would value a little advance knowledge.
Thank you so much again for the links. 
I don’t think iSpot has many special rules beyond ‘don’t break the law’ I’m afraid. Only one I can immediately recall is that all photos of birds at the nest are prohibited on here.
I think the advice at http://www.photographers-resource.co.uk/photography/Legal/Wildlife_Photo_Restrictions.htm is reasonably correct but I am not a lawyer (nor to my knowledge is the person who produced that site) so nothing here constitutes legal advice or should be relied upon as being accurate or definitive.
