What a difference a month makes!

[GuyF]

Hi everyone,
I had a great day out today, really warm and sunny. Anyway, last month I went to a local site looking for early Sand Lizards. On that day I found this little male, fairly dull in colour.

And now, a month on, they are looking spectacular in their colours.

I thought I'd show you the huge difference between when they're newly emerged from hibernation and when they're ready to breed.
I also found one female.

And at Durlston I found this Common Lizard, but strangely, not a single Slow Worm. I liked this Lizard because unlike every other Common Lizard I've ever seen he let me get very close to him and didn't run off, I was even able to touch him!



To add to the great reptiles, I also saw some Fulmars, a Peregrine, some Razorbills and lots of other birds, and also some early (and very small) Early Spider Orchids. I've uploaded some pics to the Gallery.
Guy

[minime]

Thanks for sharing these cool pics. Has fuelled my enthusiasm for the up and coming Amphibian and Reptile survey!

[goosey]

Cracking Photo's Guy looks looks you had a succesful day all round. The colours on your second lizard are beautiful, Im just going to have a look at your other images now.

[aeshna5]

Great shots Guy- what county are these taken- don't expect you to give exact site details?

[GuyF]

Thanks for the comments,
The male Sand Lizards were looking great today, and quite easy to spot, the females and babies on the other hand ...
These shots are in Dorset, the Sand Lizards were on the Isle of Purbeck while the Common Lizard was at Durlston Country Park.
Guy

[rlchew]

Excellent photos Guy.

Seeing and photographing Sand Lizards is on my "must do" list and I have been doing some research on the Internet regarding sites in Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey.

I am not going to be able to get down to that part of the world this weekend. Do you know how long the males stay in their green breeding colours?

Richard

[GuyF]

Thanks Richard,
I've definetely seen them in their colours up to late July, but I'd imagine that they'd stay like it until they go into hibernation. I think it's the cold temperatures of winter which make them duller, so as long as it stays warm they should be green right through to September.
Guy

[Deer Stalker]

Nice one Guy.

I was hoping to get out & have a look at the Sand Lizards & other reptiles over the long weekend, but every day so far Iv'e been putting a new garden fence up & only had the chance to get out really early in the morning a couple of times.....too early for reptiles, & the weather has been flippin' perfect for them.

[GuyF]

Thanks Deer Stalker,
The weather has been great for them recently, shame you haven't been able to get out. Although, the weather made them really active and hard to get close to!
Guy

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by GuyF

Although, the weather made them really active and hard to get close to!
Guy

Yeh, its given me flippin' sunburn too!