Female Adder

JaySteel · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2011, 07:49 PM

I was lucky enough to see both a male and a female adder this afternoon whilst recording GPS locations of all the refugia at my local site. This female was very unperturbed by my presence. I made every effort not to disturb it but it never moved no matter how close I got to it. I'm guessing at this time of year it was probably either heavily gravid or it had just eaten and couldn't be bothered to move! It was even still there when I checked again 3 hours later.

Here's a shot of the habitat:

Best regards,
Jason

ellen h · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2011, 08:01 PM

Nice photo,I have seen a couple this year but alas only had my camera phone to hand!!!
Ellen

JaySteel · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2011, 08:06 PM

Thanks. After finding this adder she allowed me plenty of time to get out my camera, change my lens, fit my flash and then take several shots as I stood directly over her. The closest she came to moving was raising your head once and flicking her tongue a couple of times. I carefully backed away and she never even flinched. I wish they were all like that!

Jason

Mark_b · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011, 03:34 PM

Beautiful animal, good shot of it's individual head pattern! I have been meaning to start monitoring the individuals in populations near to me, haven't got round to it, have you considered it?

faz · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011, 03:36 PM

very good shot well done

JaySteel · #6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011, 04:27 PM

Thanks for your comments. I have considered recording head shots of each individual. They've been pretty illusive this year at my local site though but I wasn't able to get over there as often as I'd have liked. I think next Spring I'll concentrate more on this idea as it would be nice to know approximately how many Adders are on the site. There's no one else doing any recording at this site any more. I think this is because the site is owned by the Homes & Communities Agency and will eventually be built upon and this population of Adders will probably be lost.

Jason

ellen h · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySteel

Thanks for your comments. I have considered recording head shots of each individual. They've been pretty illusive this year at my local site though but I wasn't able to get over there as often as I'd have liked. I think next Spring I'll concentrate more on this idea as it would be nice to know approximately how many Adders are on the site. There's no one else doing any recording at this site any more. I think this is because the site is owned by the Homes & Communities Agency and will eventually be built upon and this population of Adders will probably be lost.

Jason

If that is the case you should get in touch with a local wildlife group...I know here we have the Essex wildlife trust.....who may be able to get them relocated before the building work begins.If I remember rightly some reptiles were relocated from marshland which was due to be built on last year....

JaySteel · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2011, 02:24 PM

This site has no immediate plans for development and the last two applications for planning permission were refused by the local council because they were deemed unsuitable for the site. Eventually the site will be built on when a suitable proposal is made. Until then the adders, slow worms and viviparous lizards can enjoy the site along with all the rabbits and other wildlife found there..

This site has been monitored by members of the ARG and the Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group (which I am a member of) for quite a while. I think as an adder site it is destined to eventually fail unfortunately and at that time the adders and other wildlife will need relocating.

Jason

Dogghound · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2011, 02:36 PM

If there is a substantial population at the site, some kind of mitigation or a relocation of reptiles will need to be carried out. Reptiles are protected against killing and injuring which would occur if the entire site was developed on. It could be very important to get your records sent into biological data recorders. It would also be useful to persue your study, if you can prove that there is an important assemblage of reptiles at a site it may get status as a nature protection area such as a SINC, LNR, NNR or even SSSI. This would make building very difficult. Do you know if there are any other protected species at the site i.e. great crested newts, water voles, dormice etc it would aid your local site.

JaySteel · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2011, 04:40 PM

As far as I'm aware there are no species on this site afforded full protection under the wildlife & countryside act. There are no rivers, streams or bodies of water nearby so this obviously affects the type of wildlife that this site attracts. The site is adjoined to an an area of woodland that does have SSSI status though.

The Council have decided that the site is unsuitable for housing and is only suitable for institutional purposes, or for things like an old people's home or a crematorium.

The owners of the site decided to attack it several years ago with large mowers that went straight over much of the adders habitat. After one of the trustees of ARC contacted them about this they promised to consult with the ARC regarding any further 'maintenance' of the site. Since then the site has been left alone and is now becoming very over-grown. This is resulting in fewer adders being spotted this year by myself. This may be partly due to adders being better hidden or it may be because the site is becoming less suitable for adders. I'm not knowledgeable enough on the subject to come to any definite conclusion. I do plan on doing a little minor trimming of some of the brambles and plants especially around the refugia.