Adders

[al woodcock]

Has anyone been adder hunting yet yhis season? I've recently found a great spot here in the New Forest after a disappointing 2007. Al

[demicav]

Best place for me is Pwllheli, North wales. I can guarantee seeing them from Feb/March and they're everywhere.

[al woodcock]

Hello demicav. What's the habitat like there?

[demicav]

Originally Posted by al woodcock

Hello demicav. What's the habitat like there?

Most of it is heathland near the coast but I've recently discovered Adders in bushes and woods slightly away from the coast. The heathland is the best place to see them but they tend to wander a fair distance now the weather is warming up.

[al woodcock]

Yes there's plenty of heathland here too. And gorse 'ouch'! I'm also near the coast and have heard that adders like sandy areas on coastlines. I put a few corrugated tin boards out to encourage them last year but with no luck. Plenty of beautiful grass snakes though.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by al woodcock

Yes there's plenty of heathland here too. And gorse 'ouch'! I'm also near the coast and have heard that adders like sandy areas on coastlines. I put a few corrugated tin boards out to encourage them last year but with no luck. Plenty of beautiful grass snakes though.

Funny you should mention Gorse. I googled it and low and behold it is the same plant that covers much of the heathland in Pwllheli where the Adders are. I never knew what plant it was until now.
I'd love to see a Grass snake but I wouldn't know where to begin.

[demicav]

You can just see the plant on this pic of my daughter with an Adder.

[al woodcock]

Great pic of a nice fat female. [the adder of course, not your daughter Ha Ha]
I've found grass snakes are nearly always near water as they eat frogs, toads and tadpoles, Possibly small fish too. Why not try laying a board of wood or corrugated felt roofing near a lake,pond or river and check under it regularly. Last year we had a lot of success. Slow worms and lizards love to take refuge under it too. Obviously you'd have to put it [or them] somewhere discreet where no one can disturb it or mistake it for litter and bin it! Yeah give it a go,I'd love to find out how you get on.

[NickCantle]

Demicav, I was adder hunting on Saturday but I found a Grass snake instead. You say you'd love to see them like you've never seen one If not, get yourself a nice walk by a river- you can often see them swimming their way down the river or bathing on reed beds.

[Deer Stalker]

Seen a few on the Forest this year but I don't really get out at the right time of day to see them.