the online meeting place for all who love our amphibians and reptiles |
|
Adders 2010 |
Post Reply | Page 123 5> |
Author | |
JStroud
Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 11 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 27 Feb 2010 at 2:33pm |
Hi!
I have been a long time follower and reader, but unfortunately have never posted much on this forum! Hello to the few of you that I know already on here! I thought I would make a quick thread to note down when everyone first starts observing snakes in their area this year. I read on the pinned thread that someone noted one in Dorset on 13 Feb. We had our first successful trip this morning, a rare day of sunshine let us go and have a look at a known hibernation site in an area of upland heath in North Yorkshire. It has been particularly fruitful in recent years, however we nearly always began to visit a little later than this, almost certainly in March. We managed to observe 22 snakes, ranging from yearlings to adult males (the largest of which was confirmed at over 55cm). All were spotted basking individually, with the exception of one group of 4 and one of 5. Air temperature was not measured but was guessed at between 4-6C, however there was continuing brief spells of good sunshine. Unfortunately we only managed to get one photo (of the first male - thinking it may be the only one we see!!) before the battery died! But when they are uploaded and passed on to me I will attach them to this thread. Good luck everyone, the snakes have even woken up up North so they must already be awake and partying down south!! Edit: Photo now included! Edited by JStroud |
|
Regards, James Stroud
|
|
dave fixx
Senior Member Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 411 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Nice one,welcome to the site(as a poster).Still havent had chance to have a look this year,was hoping for today but not the conditions needed so far.Glad to see someones having some luck.
|
|
Dave Williams
davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
|
will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Fantastic start to the year - well done. Must be a tough lot, those N Yorks adders - nromally I don't think of looking for soft southern adders til it's at least 8-9 Deg C. Perhaps the cold weather forces adders (especially males) to take advantage of any sunny weather, even if it's a few degrees below the preferred minimum temperature for emergence.
Cheers Will |
|
Peter
Senior Member Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 310 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Well if it isn`t the Stroudster!
Good to see you here James, and good work with the adder spotting. Sounds like you have found a significant post hibernation aggregation. |
|
BLF Dragonscapes Habitats officer
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation e: peter.hill@arc-trust.org |
|
JStroud
Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 11 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thank you very much for the welcome!
Hi Peter, no surprise seeing you here mate! Thanks for the welcome! The site is really good, and incredibly rich in adders. When the females begin to emerge I think along the crevice bank stretch, possibly 3-400m, if it was searched completely by a team of people (as oppose to just two of us!) I would not be surprised at all if there is up to 100 snakes there. Will be heading back when and if I can! |
|
Regards, James Stroud
|
|
Chris Monk
Senior Member Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 282 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
James
You were obviously lucky with the weather this weekend, here in the Peak District we are still stuck with cold dull weather, hill fog and snow on the high ground. So far this year the only herps around have been the dozens of dead frogs floating in the ponds whenever the ice has thawed enough. Over the past few years we have had adders out in the first week of February with a bit of sun and air temperatures of only 4 degrees. Hoping we will get some suitable weather in the next week or so. Southern softies - better not leave a comment Edited by Chris Monk |
|
Derbyshire Amphibian & Reptile Group www.derbyshirearg.co.uk |
|
JStroud
Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 11 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
We were lucky with the weather again today, I managed to return to the same site and spot 17 males, but I surveyed a much smaller area and I was on my own! There was still a good thick layer of frost on the opposite north facing banks, and we are still experience night temperatures dropping comfortably below freezing. Here are a few photos: |
|
Regards, James Stroud
|
|
kevinb
Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 259 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Well, from the first one from Stroud to the first one from Stroud.Here is the first Adder of the year from a location in Stroud. |
|
Chris Monk
Senior Member Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 282 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
One of our surveyors got out on site this lunchtime and found one hardy male out at one site but none showing at the other sites he looked at. Unfortunately the sunny start to the day didn't last with quite a bit of cloud building up over the high ground and a few showers around in the afternoon.
|
|
Derbyshire Amphibian & Reptile Group www.derbyshirearg.co.uk |
|
Peter
Senior Member Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 310 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Great pics everyone. I managed to sneak out for a brief period today and spotted two males in South Wales at 12.30 to 1ish.
|
|
BLF Dragonscapes Habitats officer
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation e: peter.hill@arc-trust.org |
|
Post Reply | Page 123 5> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |