Help findingslow worms or grass snakes for photography

hairdye · #1 (**permalink**) 29-05-2010, 08:09 PM

Hi
I would just like to say hi to everyone on here and introduce myself.
i have been into wildlife since i was a young lad (im now 44 ) and have seen just about everything i have set out to see. I spend as much time as i can outside and even took a career change to work outside so i can still be with nature.
I live near Wakefiled Yorkshire but work around the East Midlands , Newark , Notts Derby etc.
Last year i took the plunge and bought a decent camera to take wildlife pics, i have taken a few good pics of birds, animals and small insects.
My goal is now to take pictures of a grass snake , slow worm , adder but as yet i have only ever seen one grass snake and that was swimming across a river so didnt get a good view.
We even have small tin sheets scattered around the area where i work but still never see anything.
Can anyone help me find any locations where the chances are high of seeing any snakes or slow worms.
Ideally i would like to go out over the holiday weekend where i live, or if not any areas where i work.
The hours i have done searching is beyond me and im sure im never going to see one never mind take any pics.
Any help would be appreciated and please feel free to email me if locations are not to be shown on the forum.
I look forward to any replies and hopefully fingers crossed i will be able to upload any pics for you all to see.
Many thanks

Joe662 · #2 (**permalink**) 29-05-2010, 09:32 PM

Hiya, welcome to WAB

am on the same mission as you at moment and am finding it just as frustrating lol. Been out last few days seen lots of common lizards, and only one grass snake. The little grass snake slithered off way to quick for a pic. sorry cant offer any advice but am looking forward to the general tips on evening where to find them out basking. Good luck in your search

hairdye · #3 (**permalink**) 29-05-2010, 09:54 PM

Hi
Thanks for the welcome.
I thought there might have been a few replies with areas to look around but i understand that people try to protect these species from any tom dick or harry (sorry if there is anyone called that on here lol ) I have had the same with badgers, deers and foxes as i didnt want the wrong sorts looking for them .
Hope you have luck in your quest and i will let you know how i get on .
cheers

hwange · #4 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 07:09 AM

hi there ,
Middleton lakes , the new RSPB reserve is good for Grass Snakes , seen them there afew times now .
All the best

ViperaBerus · #5 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 10:42 AM

If there are artificial regugia down in your area, then that is certainly the best place to find slow-worms as they love tins like that. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times.

Joe662 · #6 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 03:55 PM

ViperaBerus, how early is early? ive been out from about half nine at a known adder spot and nothing yet

Jim Ford · #7 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe662

ViperaBerus, how early is early? ive been out from about half nine at a known adder spot and nothing yet

I know the feeling. When I go to look for grass snakes at 11AM, my wife says that I need to go early. I tell her "But this is _my_ early!". You can only make so much personal sacrifice in pursuit of your interests!
;^)

Jim

ViperaBerus · #8 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 05:26 PM

Depends on the day to be honest. If it's a sunny one, then the earlier the better as they get warm and then disappear hunting, sleeping etc. If you are looking under tins, then as soon as they start to get hot then then you will have no chance of finding anything under there. Around 1700hrs is when they start using them again.

On overcast and partially cloudy days, you can find them easier and later in the day.

I've been studying the nocturnal behavior of snakes recently, and I have found many more adders about during dusk and the earlier part of the night hunting or just mooching about. They are very active and I need to put more time into getting more results. It has always been thought that they were mainly diurnal despite the eye shape, but I think more herpetologists need to get out at night as they will be very surprised. Absolute nightmare looking for them though. I've found a very powerful 200 lumen with a red filter to be the best.

marvin · #9 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 05:55 PM

[QUOTEOn overcast and partially cloudy days, you can find them easier and later in the day.[/quote]

tbh these conditions - warm but overcast - are the ones i mainly go out in during the summer months as you can find snakes lying out throughout the day. very handy for people like me who consider anything before midday early!

tim

hairdye · #10 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 06:50 PM

Well, i went out today not really ideal as it was quite windy but very warm when the wind dropped.
I saw moorhens with eggs in the nest , a Heron hunting, Mallard with 7 or 8 small chicks, canada geese with 4 young ones, a very nasty Swan that took a dislike to me ( its mate was on the nest near by) an old bloke fishing that said he saw grass snakes quite often swimming across the canal....... but i saw no signs of any snakes /slow worms at all. So i will have to try another day and see how i get on.
Got some good pics of the birds though so it wasnt too bad.
Cheers