The Mythical Beast!
Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: General
Forum Name: UK Reptiles and Amphibians
Forum Description: A forum for general questions and answers relating to wild reptiles and amphibians in the UK
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2633
Printed Date: 23 Apr 2024 at 11:43pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: The Mythical Beast!
Posted By: adamanteus
Subject: The Mythical Beast!
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2008 at 12:42pm
|
It's been 35+ years since I saw an Adder in the wild. In another thread I mentioned that I'd spent an entire weekend fruitlessly searching on Anglesey. I was convinced that the Adder was a Mythical Beast....but today, thanks to Dave Fixx, I saw one! Dave and the North Wales Recorder, Mick, were kind enough to give me a few hours of their time and show me around an Adder site in Wales. The weather was far from perfect, high winds and not very warm at all. But we got lucky. We saw 1 female Vipera berus (gravid), 5 female Zootica vivipara and 4 Bufo bufo. It may not sound much to some of you guys, but after all these years, I'm thrilled to bits! I'm afraid the Adder photo is total rubbish, as I only had a brief moment to take one shot before she moved off into the undergrowth.... but I'm posting it anyway!
So, my thanks to Dave and Mick. I hope to meet you both again soon. ------------- James. |
I think not only is she full of babies, I reckon there's a decent meal in there too!
Replies:
Posted By: administrator
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2008 at 1:34pm
 Now you have seen one there will be plenty more 
|
Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2008 at 2:33pm
|
A brilliant day for you I imagine! The fact it wasn't scorchio probably worked in your favour as the reptiles were still lying out. As Gemma says now you've seen one you'll see more. You'll have got your eye in! ------------- Suz |
Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2008 at 3:34pm
|
glad you had a good day James ,it was our pleasure ,sure we will do it again soon.
------------- Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
Posted By: adamanteus
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2008 at 4:03pm
|
Thanks again Dave.... shame the Adder photo turned out so bad. I looked okay on the camera. Guess I'll have to have another go! ------------- James. |
Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2008 at 6:12pm
|
well done james...it's a great feeling isn't it. and what a great advert for the forum that there are so many people on here willing to go out of their way to help each other out. tim
|
Posted By: adamanteus
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2008 at 6:30pm
|
Indeed. I've been made to feel very welcome here. @Dave Fixx.... you asked for this... http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showgallery.php?cat=539&ppuser - http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showgallery.php?cat=539 &ppuser = ------------- James. |
tim hamlett wrote:
Thanks.Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2008 at 12:23pm
|
Thanks for the link James. @Tim ,this adder was only 10 mins drive from the slow worm site on the hill. ------------- Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2008 at 6:32pm
|
very interesting. perhaps we should have our own little north western rauk field trip. tim |
Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 5:17am
|
funny enough thats what we were talking about . ------------- Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2008 at 6:30am
|
James and Tim,we are having a reptile ramble at Llandegla on september 14th(sun) .Its not exactly a north west field trip but its not a bad start if either of you fancy it. Dave ------------- Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2008 at 1:34pm
|
tony - how can you tell the difference? and do reproductive females not feed at all that year? dave - thanks for the invite...i'm already working on it some pics from today to wet our appetites:
that last snake had just 'recovered' from feigning death. tim |
Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2008 at 6:06pm
Thanks for clearing that up Tony,I assumed gravid because the weather was so poor and only gravid reptiles appeared to be out that day,having seen a few more gravid females since ,she does look bigger than some I ve seen this week,a couple of months down the line.Maybe she was too full to slide back into her hideout Hope you can work that time Tim,I take it you dont fancy swapping South Africa for a day in North Wales Tony? ------------- Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2008 at 12:58pm
| seven day forecast is currently forecasting a decent day for sunday. fingers crossed it will stay that way but unfortunately those longer term forecasts do tend to change a lot. my partner has been asked to a seminar in manchester that day but isn't sure she wants to go. if she goes i stay at home...if she stays at home i go to llangegla, so we shall see. are you taking the girls, dave? |
Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2008 at 6:35pm
|
no not taking the girls Tim,they ve had enough this year.Hope it falls well for you sunday.Tony it would be fantastic to see you in these parts in april.
------------- Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2008 at 3:32pm
|
forecast still looking ok...what's the plan for sunday? tim |
Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2008 at 7:31am
|
Tim , We will be meeting at the visitor centre at Llandegla forest at 9.00am on sunday morning ,have a quick chat about what we are likely to see ie lizards and adders.Then on for the ramble.Hope you can come Tim,if you want a chat b4 hand pm me for my telephone number and I can chat later. ------------- Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2008 at 11:05am
|
hi dave i'm an hour and a half away so won't make it for 9. i'll try and get there as early as i can though. will the ramble go on into the afternoon...conditions might actually be better then given the time of year and poor temps we've been having lately. tim |
Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2008 at 11:18am
|
forgot to ask. is this the visitors centre http://www.coedllandegla.com/index.htm - http://www.coedllandegla.com/index.htm if so i should be able to find it easily enough. is the ramble open to anyone btw? tim |
Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2008 at 5:03pm
|
Thats the place Tim.Cant see us getting going for half an hour or so but wouldnt imagine being out much after lunchtime,not a huge area to cover. hope we see you ------------- Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
Posted By: tim hamlett
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2008 at 1:06pm
|
cheers dave for a really enjoyable day we saw loads of common lizards, six adders, frogs, toads and a palmate newt. i then stopped off on my way home and found a smooth newt and a slowworm.
cheers again dave. really enjoyed meeting everyone and will defo do it again next year. tim |
Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2008 at 2:08pm
|
Lovely pix Tim. The dragonfly one is rather scary! Pretty good weather this weekend - lots of sun, some cloud - here in East Devon. Almost seemed like the summer we missed.
------------- Suz |
Posted By: dave fixx
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2008 at 4:04pm
|
Lovely to meet you Tim,great spot for the first adder and some fab pics to.Glad to see you found a slow worm.Mick and I found 2 slow worms whilst putting the others back.A record breaking adder day for me so top result .Heres to a couple more trips next year. Dave
------------- Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |