Grass snake habitat

I have just returned from an afternoon of trying to spot a grass snake on a local heath. The heath has an information board describing the different wildlife that exists there, it mentions Vivaporus lizards and Grass snakes. Call me old fashioned but I always thought that Grass snakes preffered dry sunny well vegetated banks near water. The above mentioned heathland is void of any water, and although I did manage to see around five vivap lizards, I saw nothing that rezembled anything like Grass snake territory, if anything it screamed Adder country. The majority of the heath is typical heather and rocks mixed with an abundance of bracken. Can anyone tell me if this is a rarity or is it common for Grass snakes to be far away from water in the middle of a heath around 300 mts above sea level?  Please help

Many thanks Gemma, like you say I'd probably be better off concentrating my efforts elsewhere. I'll stick near the ponds next time.

I note from your post on South Yorkshire Reptiles, and the response from Chris Monk that you are probably based local to Sheffield. I would imagine that the heathland you visited is to the north of the city, in the upper Don Valley, and as such does have a localised distribution of Natrix.

If you are specifically interested in this species, as Chris Monk has pointed out, the Sorby publication 'Reptiles and Amphibians of the Sheffield area and North Derbyshire' contains a distribution map, and commentary indicating a predominant distribution east of gridline 30. There is a correlation with lush lowland wetland habitats associated with the rivers Don and Rother. Areas around Woodhouse, Rother Valley Country Park, Whittington and Staveley are as good as anywhere.

At this time of year, in the hot weather we have been having, you will need to be out fairly early - feeding animals are regularly observed at 7-00am, although Natrix are notably more prone to bask at higher temperatures than Berus.

Hope this helps

John

 

In the Wharncliffe area, natrix have been recorded from the region to the north of MoreHall Water Gardens, continuing on towards Deepcar, along the Upper Don valley. You will not be tripping over them, and repeated visits will probably be required for an eventual sighting - unless you're lucky!!

Regards

John

 

Hi Yorky, don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for those all important sloughed skins also, you may not spot a snake in the margins, but you may see the evidence of where they may be found.