Sad day for adders in Epping forest

Hi all had look at a once prolific adder lac viv grass &  sloworm site near High Beech. the actual site to look at still seemed the same as far as its flora features ie heather and bracken but some small dew ponds have dried up and some completely dissapeared  that once held newts etc also sadly have so have the adders gone that were once more abundant then the grass snakes were ,you could not go out and not fail to  see one sleeping in the tussocks and heather + the sloworm seems to have completey vanished .there were a few common liz,about but not as thick on the ground as they once were. But I did see two grass snakes balled up who slid off before I could photo them +  see another  in a different area that was a bonus but the heath seems to have lost its vitality, also in the old days you could see deer that freely roamed the forest until the health and safety management moved them by force to a new habitat in Hainualt years ago. perhaps thats what is happening to the forest reptiles ? dont forget they could be sued if an adder bit a member of the public whilst under their management , I agree with Rob a complete decline in the forest through what I would say is mismanagement by those who have not got clue or feel for the job  but  only in it for their own self elation in this pc new world order of health and safety  .I think the late Fred Speakman if he was  alive would have been horrified at the state of things within the forest today. ............did have another  bonus 2day I heard my first cuckoo this year at Nazing................................................ ............... Keith 

Edited by AGILIS

Blimey, Keith

You been reading 1984?

keith,

Thats a horrific picture that you paint. Turnstiles at the car parks with a sign saying - No entry without hard hat - by appointment only. entry fee ú4.00.

Now where is that passport? Time to head off to Belongtamick.

R