Sand Lizard on the Scottish borders?

Seajay · #1 (**permalink**) 22-11-2007, 05:36 AM

During late August we spent a marvellous week on the Scottish borders at Berwick - on Tweed, Northumberland. It was a family holiday with four families staying in farm cottages all doing whatever interested us. My son and I were of course into nature photography and were on a nature walk at Cocklawburn beach. Whilst photographing stonechats in a little valley in the dunes darting across in front of me scurried a lizard and from the green markings I am almost certain it was a sand lizard. Now I always thought these were a species for the south of the country. Any thoughts?

GuyF · #2 (**permalink**) 22-11-2007, 04:32 PM

It would be unlikely for it to be a Sand Lizard, they're mostly found in Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey with another population further North. I remember in a post over the summer someone showed shots of a Common Lizard variation where they had greeny sides, I'll try and find it. Otherwise, as far as I know there are no bright green lizards in that area, although it's always possible it was an escape.
Guy

GuyF · #3 (**permalink**) 22-11-2007, 04:47 PM

Ok, I managed to find the thread.
first ever lizard pic
If you look at post 12, you will see Yellowhammer's shot of a green Common Lizard (and he mentions that they can be brighter green than this).
Here's a Sand Lizard for comparison.

yellowhammer · #4 (**permalink**) 22-11-2007, 04:53 PM

There are a couple of populations in Scotland and the north. This is the NBN Gateway map of sand lizard distribution; NBN Gateway: Large grid map

And I know of another couple of populations that are being kept on the QT

I don't know where Berwick is on this map though, as I refuse to cross the Thames. Here be dragons!

EDIT: Nice pic Guy

Seajay · #5 (**permalink**) 23-11-2007, 01:38 PM

Thankyou both! Very helpfull and most informative. The lizard I saw was definately a deeper, leafy green and, if I remember accurately, a little larger than the Common lizard (I used to keep these as a child when I lived in Kent, a lovely county and great for anyone interested in natural history - however I digress). I never realised there were green variations of the Common though so that is the most likely as the colony near Penicuik, Scotland (I used to have a mate in the army from there!) is a fair lizard's walk from Berwick. There is a local wildlife society based in Berwick so I'll contact them and see if they can shed any light. Will keep you posted and thankyou both once again. By the way, Yellowhammer, there is a colony just across the Thames between Tilbury and Chadwell St. Mary - or there was in the fifties. Go and sneak a look then carry on North! You'll love it! We live on the most beautifull and diverse group of islands on this earth so take advantage whilst your able.

Herptastic · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:40 PM

I can calarify they are still there, but not in massive numbers..... The spot you are talking about Seajay i can see from my living room window as i type.
I dont like to get specific online as to the location, but if anyone is interested as to where, they can contact me and i'll happily show them via maps, etc

Seajay · #7 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 12:30 AM

Good to know they are still up and running after all these years Herptastic, thanks for that. As a further update I contacted the Berwick upon Tweed Wildlife Group and they feel it is unlikely to have been a sand lizard (though not impossible) and there are common lizards in the area so it could have been a green version of that species. Apparently the Holy Island (Lindisfarne) Warden is responsible for the sand dunes along the Northumberland coast so they are kindly going to pick his brains to see if any have ever been recorded. In Spring I shall return to the spot and patiently wait and endeavour to get a photo and that should resolve the issue. I'll keep you all posted.

tigger · #8 (**permalink**) 18-12-2007, 07:13 AM

Wouldn't it be exciting if it was a sand lizard. I saw one for the first time this year (but then I do live in Dorset, right by a heath!). The ones I saw had lost their mating colours and were quite brown. So difficult to ID properly, but it was a lot larger than the common.

ecocumbria · #9 (**permalink**) 20-01-2008, 09:03 AM

There is a long established introduced colony of Sand Lizards on the Isle of Coll, and they are doing fine.

harriet · #10 (**permalink**) 18-03-2009, 06:58 PM

Were these lizard tracks ??

Location: Edge of low dunes back of South Shields beach, among many stones scattered about on dry sand.
Date: 17 March 09, one of the first warm sunny days.

We saw many tracks, crisscrossing, which looked similar to lizard tracks as seen on internet .. a continuous central drag line, between regular lines of close-together tiny roundish "footprints". The overall width being about one inch.

If not either Sand or Common Lizard, what would those tracks be ?
Any thoughts ?