First adder of 2012?

Adder generally do not feed after emergence for some considerable time, so immediate lack of food would not be a factor. What could very well be a factor though is stored fat reserves. 

I've long thought that animals leaving hibernation are in far better condition after long cold winters than short mild ones. It may well be that in mild conditions the animals become semi-active burning more of their vital fat reserves. So after such a mild winter one might expect early emergence of emaciated individuals in very poor condition. Such an individual could easily be too weak to return to the safety of its lair after being tempted outside by unseasonably warm temperatures.

Therefore it is likely to follow that any species requiring periods of 'true' winter dormancy must be badly affected by mild winters. Not to mention the other pathogen ridding benefits etc. that a cold winter brings.

 

 

thanks Noodles

 

Attached is a link to James Morrison webwite.

 

Can't find a video with the song though, but will check a bit later and post if i find one.

 

Am doing some work today, honest!

Just having a tea break

 

And thinking of adders now every time i hear this song.

Should be thinking about this new awakening;

 

The song on the album is called the The Awakening, though the album is the same name.

 

 

 

Durlstone Country Park publishes a daily wildlife report on its website, and it records a sighting on January 7th, the day before I saw them.

 

Richard