the online meeting place for all who love our amphibians and reptiles
Home Page Live Forums Archived Forums Site Search Identify Record Donate Projects Links
Forum Home Forum Home > Conservation > Projects and Grants
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Project Paddock
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Project Paddock

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <12
Author
Message
GemmaJF View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jan 2003
Location: Essex
Status: Offline
Points: 4359
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GemmaJF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2014 at 2:00pm
Originally posted by Paul Ford Paul Ford wrote:

Well I think its about time I updated this thread.

 

I’ve been a busy boy over the last 21 months or so and installed 4 smallish ponds (all dug out by hand! – and some through a layer of slate!!)

 

I’ve made hibernacula from piles of rubble and earth, brash piles, log piles and trailered in horse manure to create a compost heap. I’ve left un-mown areas, created natural refugia with logs and slabs and put down nearly a dozen tins. (I’ve also built myself a large outdoor vivarium which has been immensely satisfying but I guess not really for this forum).

 

Last year I rescued some frogspawn last year and put them in one of the ponds.

 

We found slow worms and toads quite early on which was nice but what I really wanted was grass snakes (I admit to being a little obsessed! I haven’t been out herping this year yet and am starting to get twitchy – I need a regular grass snake fix!).

 

Well guess what!?

 

Last Friday I casually lifted a tin expecting to see maybe a slowie and there ‘s a baby grass snake sat there – not much more than hatchling size! To say I was chuffed is an understatement! – I was straight on the phone to my girlfriend whilst I turned the next tin and guess what..? another young grassy, this one about a foot long!

 

I’ve been reading Richard’s book which has taken me back to my childhood and I remember as plain as day the awe and wonder of my first grass snake – I’m 47 now and the feeling wasn’t dissimilar! (I guess it’s the satisfaction of knowing that all the effort I put in has paid off – or possibly because I’m still a big kid).

 

My computer is playing up at the mo but I will post up some pictures soon. Wink

 

Paul


Excellent news Paul and I fully appreciate the feeling of achievement. I got the same feeling seeing the first grass snake in the wildlife garden, it's amazing! If  yourr compost heaps are good heat producers there will soon be plenty of little bootlace grassies under those tins. Smile
Back to Top
Tom Omlette View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 07 Nov 2013
Location: Stoke on Trent
Status: Offline
Points: 449
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tom Omlette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2014 at 4:50pm
well done mate! and well deserved Smile
Back to Top
Iowarth View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Status: Offline
Points: 743
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Iowarth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2014 at 7:45pm
Well done Paul - it all becomes very worthwhile quite quickly.

I think that most of us are still big kids - at least WE haven't lost the kid's ability to go WOW! when we see another lovely herp!

Chris
Chris Davis, Site Administrator

Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)
Back to Top
Suzy View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 1447
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Suzy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2014 at 9:38pm
As someone who has encouraged herps on a much smaller scale I know how excited you must be to see stuff arrive. Well done! Keep us up to date with it all.
Suz
Back to Top
Richard2 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 285
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Richard2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2014 at 10:39pm
Sounds wonderful! And I'm glad you liked the book.

Richard
Back to Top
Paul Ford View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 196
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Paul Ford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 May 2016 at 2:23pm
A new visitor to the paddock:



I was very surprised (and very pleased!) to find palmate newts in one of the ponds
Back to Top
Iowarth View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Status: Offline
Points: 743
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Iowarth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 May 2016 at 3:31pm
Excellent Paul - you'll soon rival my garden on native species ........... or do you already?

Chris
Chris Davis, Site Administrator

Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)
Back to Top
Paul Ford View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 196
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Paul Ford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 May 2016 at 12:04pm
Hi Chris,

I have slow worms and grass snakes as I know you do but I don't think I can improve on that although I'd love to have lizards which I think you have....?

On the phib front I have frogs, toads and the palmate newts and I think there is half a chance that I might get lucky like Suzy one day and find a crestie but that could just be wishful thinking on my part...
Back to Top
Iowarth View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Status: Offline
Points: 743
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Iowarth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 May 2016 at 8:57pm
Hi Paul
Yes, I have all the widespread species in the garden. Adders very rarely although they are common very nearby. Common lizards as well although the plethora of cats (not mine - she just looks at them!) means we don't see that many unfortunately although they DO hang in there!
All the best
Chris
Chris Davis, Site Administrator

Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <12
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 11.06
Copyright ©2001-2016 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.063 seconds.