 |
|
|
At Last.....: |
| Author | Message |
|
Paul Ford Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2006 No. of posts: 124  View other posts by Paul Ford |
Posted: 11 Sep 2007 After living where I am now for 14 years I have finally found my first local grass snake Here's the hansome chap (or is it chapess?)
I am a bit worried about him though - he seemed very thin (as can be seen froim the next shot) surely he should be in fine fettle by now ready for hibernation?
Paul
|
|
tim hamlett Senior Member Joined: 17 Dec 2006 No. of posts: 572  View other posts by tim hamlett |
Posted: 12 Sep 2007 well done paul.  |
|
st rick Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 141  View other posts by st rick |
Posted: 12 Sep 2007 That's great Paul. Now all you have to do is get to the bottom of the Mangotsfield Adder/Smooth Snake mystery! |
|
Paul Ford Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2006 No. of posts: 124 View other posts by Paul Ford |
Posted: 20 Sep 2007 And another one today Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me but she was the biggest I've seen this year and under a piece of tin I put down last year - on a dung heap. I assume the dung heap must be an egg laying site as I had hoped so I am feeling quite pleased with myself On the downside the snake looked in pretty poor condition - she had lost her tail had had a few lumps and bumps on her My goal now is to attract some snakes into my garden........ Paul
|
|
snakey Member Joined: 14 Sep 2007 No. of posts: 30 View other posts by snakey |
Posted: 21 Sep 2007 yeah well done. wish we had them in the manchester area. i sometimes drive 100miles plus to guarantee my boys and i a sighting |
|
Robert V Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 No. of posts: 717 View other posts by Robert V |
Posted: 02 Oct 2007 Looks like a male to me
RobV |
|
Paul Ford Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2006 No. of posts: 124 View other posts by Paul Ford |
Posted: 10 May 2008 I just found 2 tiny snakes under my piece of tin on the edge of the dung heap - I guess this proves beyond doubt that this is the egg laying site
It sure was small! Paul
|
|
tim hamlett Senior Member Joined: 17 Dec 2006 No. of posts: 572 View other posts by tim hamlett |
Posted: 10 May 2008 beautiful! let's hope no-one moves the dung heap! tim |
|
st rick Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 141 View other posts by st rick |
Posted: 13 May 2008 Paul, I thought you told me the farmer had moved the dung heap? Is this the same s**t as last year or new s**t? Any luck yet tracking down that elusive anaconda near Priddy? Have the tins turned up anything? Rick |
|
armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata |
Posted: 13 May 2008 Those old big females often have bits of tail missing and various scarring. There is a big female (app 1.6m) at Stockhill but she has an intact tail but a horrible scar at mid body. I suspect these missing tails have something to do with mowers, or perhaps predators; can't think what though, Buzzard? Crow? Badger, fox? 'I get my kicks on Route 62' |
|
Paul Ford Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2006 No. of posts: 124 View other posts by Paul Ford |
Posted: 14 May 2008 Yeh the farmer spread the muck over the winter (bit annoying really as I asked him to let me know when he was going to do it). Fortunately he didn't dig out the whole thing and left some around the edge (where my tin was). I do wonder though if any neos may have been overwintering there and if so whether they had been killed by this. I think the farmer (who is a nice chap and actually likes the snakes) spreads the muck every couple of years? What would be the best time of year for him to do this? - I'm assuming it's November or December? What I would really like to do is track down the hibernacula (assuming there is a common hibernacula) - if I could find this I may be able to offer it some protection but I don't have a clue where it is or how to find it??? Which leads me to another question.... How do the young snakes find it!!!? Do they hibernate in lots of different places and as a result many perish or do they somehow follow the adults into the hibernacula?
Tony - When you talk about grass snakes at the Stockhill site, I assume you mean across the road from the carpark? If so, then that must be the one Rob (Rob's Adders) has seen (and photographed a bit of). When did you last see it - it could be even bigger now... !! Paul PS Rick - My Priddy tin turned up a black lizard |
|
armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata |
Posted: 14 May 2008 No its quite near the car park (I assume you mean the one with the height rest bar). In a clearing to the left among pines. But they travel so could still be the same one. 'I get my kicks on Route 62' |
- At Last..... |
).
