Hi there adder lovers!

[BM]

I've heard that Studland Heath (north of Swanage) is a very good spot for reptiles. It also has all 6 species. Hope that helps.

[life through a lens]

Originally Posted by kdutoit

I'm particularly interested in reptiles and amphibians and my goal for this spring/summer is to take at least one good pici of an adder. On recent expeditions to the new forest and a couple of other locations near Christchurch I've seen a few common lizards and my first great crested newt, but no luck with the adders.

If you can get to the New Forest try the reptile centre for information. If there's no-one there that can help you could always get a few snaps of the ones they have

Welcome to WAB, hope you enjoy it.

Olly

[Wild-Woman]

Thanks for that tip eeyore. I will certainly bear that in mind. Or should I say 'fangs' for the tip!!:-) ww

[pet]

Hello, just a quicky, the advise given is sound in particular advise about being carefull, Adder camouflage is outstanding.. or not as the case is, a good tip is to look on ebay or car boots for a cheap pair of leather half chaps ( riding gear) to tuck under your trousers, offer good protection from bites and scratches if your passion is tip toeing around heaths and commons looking for herpetofauna as mine is. goodluck and stay safe.

[FungiJohn]

A warm welcome to WAB kdutoit.

Hope you enjoy the site. I'm sure info on adders will follow.

Enjoy

[kdutoit]

Thanks for all the usefull tips everyone, I didnt expect so many so soon!
The good news is I saw one earlier today! I went out just after eight and walked for about an hour without seeing anything apart from a slow worm. It was at about ten when I saw him. Or, I think it was a male anyway. He was basking and kept still just long enough for me to take two snaps of him, I also took some of the slow worm. Have a look and tell me what you think.

[michael_swift]

Hi kdutoit!

I've just read your post (I know it was a little while ago now), but I might have an interesting opportunity for you...

I work on Countryfile and we are looking at filming an item about adders very soon and I was wondering if you would be happy to talk to me more about your desire to photograph them?

You can get through to me on michael.swift@bbc.co.uk - drop me an email with a contact phone number and I'll give you a buzz.

Thanks!
Michael.

[michael_swift]

Hi rlchew and eeyore

Just wondering if you would be happy to get in touch with me too...

Apologies to everyone else on here - I'm not trying to be excluisve, just looking for some interesting stories from people and these two are leaping out at me at the moment...

If anyone else has any interesting adder-spotting anecdotes they'd be happy to share with me, please do feel free to drop me a email describing them - and don't forget to include your contact details!

[eeyore]

in theory no problem, but i wouldnt want my "anecdote" to portray these herptofauna in a bad light - yes ive been bitten twice but both times it was my "fault" in so much as i provoked them by using a brushcutter in their habitat - Imo the inclusion of that story in your piece (together with the graphic description of my leg swelling up like a zeppelin) isnt going to do a lot to further the cause of conservation and public understanding of the species, soon the whole i think i'll pass.

[michael_swift]

Thanks for letting me know Eeyore - it's important to us to know what people think and feel about the items we make, so I'll take your feelings about this into account.

I hope the other board members out there realise that there are more anecdotes about adder-spotting than just being bitten, and as it happens we have an herpetologist who will be talking about his experience of this anyway - I was just curious to see if there was anything else that you might have to offer since you've obviously encountered them close at hand at least once!

Our aim is not to make a menace out of these valuable reptiles, but rather to make people much more aware of them and to show how beautiful, yet sensitive they are, and how important they are to indicating the health of our countryside.