Still No Adder

[Mattl]

Hi All,

I have been searching for Adders in a well known adder habitat in East Sussex but as yet no joy.

Since now is apparently the best time to see adders, does anybody know how long I have left to make my first sighting?

Also any ideas on what the best time of day to begin searching is?

Many Thanks,

Matt

[demicav]

I've found them to be out all hours of the day. The thing is with adders they really do sense you coming before you have a chance to see them and they're very shy. They're quick to get out of the way, which is a good thing as not everybody means well. If the area is well known for adders I shouldn't think it'll be long before you see one. Let us know how you get on.

[phil2]

same boat as me,i am going to a well known area tommorow,i hope i have some good luck

[ripplingwave]

They were being seen here in Essex over 4 weeks ago now....just around that initial warm spell....

[Chalk Downlanders]

I had a similar lack of success when I first went Adder hunting. My advice is to creep silently along sunny hedgerows around 8-9oc AM. Since I started doing that I have found many, but as soon as I get the camera ready they retreat into the undergrowth.

[Gue Jam Fowsid]

It doesn't really matter if they retreat as you will have found out where they are.

Hang around down low and be as quiet as possible, and they will usually return. Good luck.

[Madelinew]

I'm supposed to have them in my garden (previous owner tells me she accidentally scalped one with a strimmer once) and I've left all sorts of places to grow wild to encourage them and have woodpiles everywhere too. My neighbours must think I have completely lost the plot cos I'm often to be seen creeping around the garden on tiptoe....

Not seen anything yet, however, except the baby slow worm my husband cut in half with the lawnmower last week! My children have yet to forgive him

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by ripplingwave

They were being seen here in Essex over 4 weeks ago now....just around that initial warm spell....

Yep .... I saw them in Essex during the early warm spring weather ....

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ers-essex.html

The Adder that I managed to see on several occasions was very wary and I am sure it saw me more times than I saw it. I found a very stealthy approach during the 2 or 3 hours prior to midday with a steadily warming sun to be the key to success.

It also helped that I knew in advacne that the reserve that I visited did have an Adder population present.

Good luck in your search Matt.

Richard

[Side Salad]

I'm off to another well know adder location in East Sussex at first light tomorrow - I'll let you know if I spot any - plenty of grass snakes there last week and I wasn't even looking for them

[Side Salad]

Originally Posted by Side Salad

I'm off to another well know adder location in East Sussex at first light tomorrow - I'll let you know if I spot any - plenty of grass snakes there last week and I wasn't even looking for them

All I found was mist, rain and cold, and guess what, no adders. Did see some Stonechats though.....