Visit to Richmond Park

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Anyone still want to come? If theres only a few of us maybe we could do a week day?

I'll keep my eye on the thread - i have to come to London to pick up the rest of my gear at some point but not sure when. Would be good fun - hope it coincides

[derelict]

Two things that are worth looking out for at present

1. snakes - the bracken stands are only starting to sprout, the weather is hot and the snakes are out basking - I've seen both adders and grass-snakes this month but they can move like the proverbial greased weaselshit so if you're a photographer don't spend too long composing your shot...

2. Listen to the trees - especially the oaks - a couple of weeks ago you could hear the oak leaves unfurling in the evening. Now you can hear the leaf canopy being stripped and be covered in caterpillar poo for your pains... headgear advisable!

[Ukwildlifeo]

Cheers. I hope to get up there in the next few weeks

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by derelict

Two things that are worth looking out for at present

1. snakes - the bracken stands are only starting to sprout, the weather is hot and the snakes are out basking - I've seen both adders and grass-snakes this month but they can move like the proverbial greased weaselshit so if you're a photographer don't spend too long composing your shot...

2. Listen to the trees - especially the oaks - a couple of weeks ago you could hear the oak leaves unfurling in the evening. Now you can hear the leaf canopy being stripped and be covered in caterpillar poo for your pains... headgear advisable!

Have you seen the snakes in Richmond Park? I've heard that the odd Grass Snake is to be found but have not heard of Adders in the park.

[derelict]

I certainly saw them in Richmond Park - though comparing the photo of the "adder" legging it (insofar as a snake can leg it) with one I took in Dorset earlier in the week I'm a little less convinced that it isn't really a grass snake and may have to rethink that one. Unfortunately although the sides are in focus the back is not. It was moving at the time and the fast-moving striations may have clouded my judgement after having seen the the first one.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar.../IMG_4214a.jpg

Which brings me to the interesting one (sadly a photo of empty space!) which was the "grass snake". It was very different in colour from the "adder" having a greenish back with a darker head. I'm actually starting to speculate whether that mightn't be a released non-native species, but grass-snakes are supposed to be extremely variable in colour and pattern, aren't they? It certainly wasn't a slow worm.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by derelict

I certainly saw them in Richmond Park - though comparing the photo of the "adder" legging it (insofar as a snake can leg it) with one I took in Dorset earlier in the week I'm a little less convinced that it isn't really a grass snake and may have to rethink that one. Unfortunately although the sides are in focus the back is not. It was moving at the time and the fast-moving striations may have clouded my judgement after having seen the the first one.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar.../IMG_4214a.jpg

Which brings me to the interesting one (sadly a photo of empty space!) which was the "grass snake". It was very different in colour from the "adder" having a greenish back with a darker head. I'm actually starting to speculate whether that mightn't be a released non-native species, but grass-snakes are supposed to be extremely variable in colour and pattern, aren't they? It certainly wasn't a slow worm.

Could you possibly PM me where in the park you have found them please?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by derelict

I certainly saw them in Richmond Park - though comparing the photo of the "adder" legging it (insofar as a snake can leg it) with one I took in Dorset earlier in the week I'm a little less convinced that it isn't really a grass snake and may have to rethink that one. Unfortunately although the sides are in focus the back is not. It was moving at the time and the fast-moving striations may have clouded my judgement after having seen the the first one.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar.../IMG_4214a.jpg

Which brings me to the interesting one (sadly a photo of empty space!) which was the "grass snake". It was very different in colour from the "adder" having a greenish back with a darker head. I'm actually starting to speculate whether that mightn't be a released non-native species, but grass-snakes are supposed to be extremely variable in colour and pattern, aren't they? It certainly wasn't a slow worm.

The photo is a Grass Snake for sure.

[derelict]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

The photo is a Grass Snake for sure.

I looked up grass snakes in the Collins Reptiles & Amphibians - should have done it earlier! - and the first one looked like the form described as Spanish/Portuguese... strange to have different forms so close together -about 800 yards apart - in such an isolated population.

the Dorset adder is:

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...o=59247&cat=31

[Vicar]

The Richmond Park photo, is, as said previously, a Grass snake, and the Dorset photo a lovely male adder.

A useful record!....if possible, could you please submit a sighting report for the grass snake here?:

SARG sighting reports

Ta,

Steve

[SpikyPhasmid]

I'd love to go, but would have to do a weekend, I think.