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RAUK - Archived Forum - Charterhouse Adders

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Charterhouse Adders:

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Vanderklam
Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2008
No. of posts: 39


View other posts by Vanderklam
Posted: 07 Aug 2008

*ATTENTION ALL CHARTERHOUSE HERPERS*

Does anyone that regularly visits the charterhouse site, Mendip Hills AONB, be kind enough to pass on their experiences of viewing adders in late september/ early october??

Researchers at The BBC Natural History Unit have contacted me regarding this issue, thus I require information regarding the abundance of adders people come across at this time of year specific to Charterhouse. Obviously this is very much dependant on local climatic conditions at this time of year, but any relevant information would be very much appreciated.

Regards

Kev


Kevin Palmer
Lecturer in Animal Management/Course Manager
Reaseheath College
armata
Forum Specialist
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
No. of posts: 928


View other posts by armata
Posted: 09 Aug 2008
Most of the stuff shot for the BBC Nat Hist Unit was at nearby Stockhill in past years; usually in April and associated mating activity. We did do some shooting at Charterhouse though.
This time of year adders are quite dispersed; probably gravid females are most obvious. I have about ten females Marked (ID) at Chartershouse, and would presume that some are still alive and well.
I usually associate the abundance of adders with spring emergence, the actual summer sightings are more related to more people and not more adders.
Who is the producer, because I have had another request from the unit?
'I get my kicks on Route 62'
Vanderklam
Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2008
No. of posts: 39


View other posts by Vanderklam
Posted: 09 Aug 2008

TP,

I believe the producer is Wendy Darke. The series is titled "Deadly 60", presented by Steve Backshall. My ties to this programme has been solely through the reserachers, Charlie Bingham and John Gray. Following an unfortunate climbing accident involving Steve, all scheduled filming had to be suspended. They have since contacted me requesting that they film in early October. I have expressed my concern stating that the chances of getting the proposed sequences would be challenging at this time of year.

Kev


Kevin Palmer
Lecturer in Animal Management/Course Manager
Reaseheath College
armata
Forum Specialist
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
No. of posts: 928


View other posts by armata
Posted: 10 Aug 2008
Sorry to hear about the climbing accident. But yes, it will be a challenge; you would stand a better chance in Dorset as mendip adders hibernate a week or so earlier.
Good luck.
'I get my kicks on Route 62'

- Charterhouse Adders

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