adders in sussex

[Bittern Ben]

I thought I would just say this for anyone who wants to see adders
There is a place in sussex called pulborough brooks on the way in there was a common lizard basking on a bank covered in thick vegetation. then we went looking for adders there was a big bush of brables right at the side of the path which was about 10 meteres long. At the edge of the brambles was an adder as we walked at the side of the brambles we saw four other adders they stayed there basking as you got a centimeter away we went into one of the hides I stuck my head out of the window and looked down a grass snake was sat at the bank of one of the brooks. We went past the adders again and there were only two left it was the best place to see adders I have been. And if you go on a sunny day you will almost certainly see an adder.

[JaySteel]

I have to pay that site a visit one day. Thanks for sharing that.

[marvin]

hi

well done...seeing three of the four widespread reptile species in the same day is quite an achievement.

please don't take this as a criticism (i have done similar in the past too) but giving out such specific protected species locations on an open forum that can be accessed by anyone can be problematic. there are still people out there who persecute adders particularly, and others who collect snakes and lizards. such people could access this forum anonymously and get the information they need cheaply and with less fear of being discovered than if they had to expose themselves.

what you may want to do in the future is keep a record of specific locations yourself and wait for someone to make a request for information. then, if you are as satisfied as you can be that they are genuine, you can pm them with more detailed information. this is appropriate for well known and well publicised sites also as it can often still be difficult to find adders and other reptiles unless you know exactly where to look.

however, if you still aren't certain of a persons motives then the safest and standard response is to direct the person to their local arg.

well done again on the sightings and happy herping

tim

[Bittern Ben]

oops sorry I didnt think about that

[Susie]

I wouldn't worry too much Ben, as Pulborough Brooks is an RSPB reserve with rangers and there is a list as long of your arm of what can be seen on the internet. I am sure the rangers would take umbridge at anyone trying to harm the wildlife on site. I don't blame you for being excited and wanting to share what you saw.

The advice given above is good though and it does pay not to be too specific about where you see stuff.

[arvensis]

In West Sussex, theres also one or 2 places you can see Sand Lizards Good for seeing 3 of the 4, I bet if there were some refugias around then you would've added a Slow-worm or 2 to what you saw.

Mark