where and when to find snakes?

[chris wade]

i live in leicester but wouldnt mind going on a herping trip pretty soon. when and where will my best chances of finding a few snakes and lizards and maybe some amphibs be? i can travel pretty much anywhere.

[Chas]

Hi Chris,
I saw an Adder, Common lizard and Slowworm yesterday in Devon, PM if you want location,
Chas

[kml]

Dorset is about the only place in the uk where you are likely to find the 6 species in a day (4 snakes 2 lizards)in the heathland by Poole harbour.We have lots of adders in our heath and woodland here in South-East Hampshire although I`ve yet to see anything else here.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by kml

Dorset is about the only place in the uk where you are likely to find the 6 species in a day (4 snakes 2 lizards)in the heathland by Poole harbour.We have lots of adders in our heath and woodland here in South-East Hampshire although I`ve yet to see anything else here.

4 Snakes? Adder, Grass snake and Smooth snake, whats the fourth species?

[kml]

yes sorry meant 3 and 3.

[demicav]

Just been seeing my Pwllheli Adders and will be posting up lots of pics shortly. Heathland is an excellent place to find most species, especially around the coast. It's hard to give exact locations. I've seen loads of common lizards at lands end just on the coastal walk. They are around but quite elusive. At this time of the year Adders are a bit sluggish and a bit easier to see but they will stil flee if they get wind of you being there, believe me it's something they're very good at. I would get in touch with local Reptile groups and seek their advice. Also persevere.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by kml

Dorset is about the only place in the uk where you are likely to find the 6 species in a day (4 snakes 2 lizards)in the heathland by Poole harbour.

Or Surrey!

Cheers,

Adam

[arvensis]

Originally Posted by kml

Dorset is about the only place in the uk where you are likely to find the 6 species in a day

That is not strictly true, there are other places where you can find all 6 in 1 day - Woolmer Forest is one such area, though you may have to go to 2 sites for that. There are also a few sites in Surrey where you can find all 6.

You say you're heathland in south-east Hampshire - whats the closest town to this?

Cheers, Mark

PS. There's also the Green and Wall Lizards at Bournemouth so its possible to see 8 species in one day :P

[kml]

I stand corrected (again ) Bordon would be the nearest town to the Heathland in South-East Hampshire.
The MOD land near Haslemere in surrey is also a hot spot for adders,the common beside the A3 inbetween Liphook and Hindhead was also good for adders but I don`t know if the A3 tunnel work has effected the snakes.
The woodland near Chithurst West sussex is supposed to have alot of adders also but we haven`t really ventured that far.

[arvensis]

I'm familiar with a couple of heathland areas around Bordon because this is where I do some of my surveying for reptiles. It is possible where you've been looking maybe one of the areas where I go to.

Mark