Adders

[NJP87]

i am going to my local nature reserve in a few weeks to hopefully get some pics of adders and possibly grass snakes.

The reserve has put down metal sheets etc and i will be checking there, but i would like some advice on other likely spots to find them.

The reserve has lots of habitats including lakes, marsh, heath and woodland and grassland.

Thanks

Nick

[Hedge Witch]

Hi Nick,

You will find them basking on the sunny side of some cover (such as brambles) in the morning, often on a log or stone. A dull morning with weak sunlight is best.

They tend to prefer drier ground, although the first Adder I ever encountered was actually crossing a stream.

There is lots more advice in this thread:

Adder Habitat

[camo]

Hi Nick

Good luck, Hedgies advice is good and I would also add to avoid a morning with cold wind. The Adders are still there but they tend to be deeper in cover and harder to spot. You will also find when you have found one the next will be a lot easier.

Grass snake are much harder to target but far more common, make the most of any you find and if you disturb an Adder leave it alone and come back after 20 minutes it often returns to the same spot.

PS be very careful when getting closer for a photograph it is easy to concentrate on one Adder and miss another.

Roy

[marvin]

hi

just to add to the excellent advice so far, have a look at http://www.narrs.org.uk/nrspack.htm especially the habitat recognition pdf/powerpoint.

good luck
tim

[NJP87]

Thanks for the help, i'll let you know if i find anything.

Nick

[Al Hyde]

Don't forget to use a hook or the toe of your boot to lift the sheets, adders will often sit right on the edge and you could recieve a nip if you use you fingers

Cheers,
Al