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So slow worms climb hedges - Iom amazed |
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smallstuff
New Member Joined: 19 Dec 2017 Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Posted: 19 Dec 2017 at 10:34pm |
...any other suggestions?!
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smallstuff
New Member Joined: 19 Dec 2017 Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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It seems we need to start looking for slow worms in higher places. Today my attention was drawn to our cat on the old 'shed' roof as a tile was displaced and slid to the ground. She seemed to have been interested in something up there. About 5 minutes later I returned and she was on the ground playing with a still moving half of a slow worm, right next to the tile. Too much of a coincidence that she'd found it at ground level.
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administrator
Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Well if nothing else it's a new party trick to add to the repertoire I guess. I use to think being able to catch lizards off the top of refugia was impressive but to spot the right bit of a hedge and pull a slow worm out would surprise a few people.
Don't feel bad about it Shawit, it would never have occurred to me that a slow worm would be up in a garden hedge. Sad as it is I'm sure your experience has enlightened many of us. I'll certainly not be taking the hedge trimmer to the privet from now on when it's the only part of the garden in sun. It is horrible when these things happen but I guess we all learn from these experiences. Edited by GemmaJF |
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Shawit
Member Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Today was the first time I've been at home in the morning since last Sunday's carnage. The six foot stretch of hedge the slow worm was on is the only spot in direct sunlight at 10.15 now that the sun is getting lower in the sky.
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Liz Heard
Senior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Location: South West Status: Offline Points: 1429 |
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jonathon- large vertical panes of glass beside 5' garden hedging are rather uncommon on heathland though wouldnt you say?
its still a very interesting post from a behaviour point of view. regards, ben |
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administrator
Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Yep I guess put like that, most of my visual encounters are on the tops of heather or bracken piles - but a garden hedge.. guess I had just never thought about it. I've seen grass snakes coiled up at the top of those six foot fencing boards though and our common lizards in the garden climb up to the top of them most days. I'll have to start inspecting the privet at the end of the garden for slow-worms.
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Jonathan
Senior Member Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 71 |
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People!!! I'm amazed at this thread and your reaction to it. Most if not all of my slow-worm sightings if not under refugia are on top of dense gorse or heather. As soon as they see you they freeze and if aproached will drop. The heather is usually very very thick and found between my usually open adder areas, but they are always there if you look for them.. |
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"England Expects"
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Liz Heard
Senior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Location: South West Status: Offline Points: 1429 |
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thanks suz. thats one for me to look up!
ben |
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Suzi
Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1025 |
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The hedge I think is lonicera nitida which is a commonly grown hedging/topiary shrub which can be golden coloured as well. It too is very dense like box.
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Suz
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Liz Heard
Senior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Location: South West Status: Offline Points: 1429 |
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wow! thanks for the pix mark and chris (and WOB "user").
i cant be sure but the hedge looks like common box (buxus sempervirens). if thats the case then its density as garden hedging probably makes for an easier climb for AF in this case??? hard to imagine AF doing such an edmund hilary in cypress anyhow. looks like the slowies are taking advantage of the glass for TR. really interesting post all! is that a wood mouse (apodemus sylvaticus) curled up beside the slowies in the last pic? incredible. ben Edited by ben rigsby |
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