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Croatia Trip June/July 2010: |
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Rupe Member Joined: 17 Sep 2007 No. of posts: 27  View other posts by Rupe |
Posted: 13 Jul 2010 Another one of our (myself and my two sons) short field trips and this time to the Dubrovnik region. Due to one of my sons A Levels exams it was later than originally planned and was going to be possibly too hot for herping. This turned out to be correct as day temperatures averaged 34'C while night temperatures rarely falling below 24'C. This combined with thunderstorms almost every evening made conditions very humid and with lush and overgrown habitats, herping became increasingly difficult. 
All these factors meant that the reptiles did not need to sunbath for long periods to be extremely active and hard to approach. Day 1 û Arrived at our destination in Mlini at mid-afternoon after a delay sorting out the car hire. A 3-4 hour walk of the surrounding area resulted in only one Dalmatian Wall lizard seen. 
Dalmatian Wall Lizard, Podarcis melisellensis Day 2 û We headed to a river near Gruda in the early hours of the morning to avoid the heat. Hundreds of Marsh frogs and three European Pond Terrapins were seen but as always on the opposite side of the river and all promptly disappeared on approach. A few Dalmatian Wall lizards and Balkan Green lizards were seen and photographed. 
Balkan Green Lizard, Lacerta trilineata We headed further into the mountains to escape the heat. Sharp Snouted Rock lizards were found and photographed but a Balkan Whip-snake was too fast to catch. 
Sharp-snouted Lizard, Dalmatolacerta oxycephala That evening returned to the terrapin site for yet another go of getting a shot. In the end there was only one thing for it and that was to get wet. After a couple of hours wading I finally managed to capture one along with a common newt and an agile frog. 
Common Newt, Lissotriton vulgaris 
Agile Frog, Rana dalmatina 
European Pond Terrapin, Emys orbicularis 
European Pond Terrapin, Emys orbicularis Day 3 û A visit to Dubrovnik old town resulted in only a few Sharp Snouted Rock lizards and even less Italian Wall lizards. However one of the latter was captured for a photo. 
Italian Wall Lizard, Podarcis siculus 
Italian Wall Lizard, Podarcis siculus That evening a night session yielded no further species. Day 4 û Last day and now getting desperate for more species. Finally found a location near Pridvorje with Glass lizards. Not just one or two but dozens. 
European Glass Lizard, Pseudopus apodus 
European Glass Lizard, Pseudopus apodus In a small pool near this site a grass snake was also seen but this to disappeared quickly, and finally on the walk back to the car two Balkan Whip-snakes and a Dahl's Whip-snake were caught. 
Balkan Whip Snake, Hierophis gemonensis 
Dahl's Whip Snake, Platyceps najadum 
Dahl's Whip Snake, Platyceps najadum On our last walk to our favourite restaurant that evening a Turkish Gecko was seen and last but not least this very impressive Common Toad was found. 
Common Toad, Bufo bufo The lack of reptiles seen was disappointing to say the least and those that were found were extremely hard to catch or photograph. Still cant believe that no Algyroides, Yellow-Bellied Toads, Nose Horned Vipers and Dice Snakes were seen as the habitats mentioned seemed perfect for these species. |
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Suzi Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 No. of posts: 860 View other posts by Suzi |
Posted: 13 Jul 2010 As you say hard won photos but excellent nevertheless. Hope you had a good time. Thanks for sharing. Are you interested in bird watching as that would fill blank times for herps?! Suz |
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Caleb Forum Coordinator Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 448 View other posts by Caleb |
Posted: 14 Jul 2010 Is the smooth newt L. v. meridionalis? The dorsolateral ridges look quite pronounced. |
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Rupe Member Joined: 17 Sep 2007 No. of posts: 27 View other posts by Rupe |
Posted: 14 Jul 2010 Sub-species of this common newt should be Graecus as Meridionalis is found in the north west regions of Croatia.The photo doe's not do it justice as it was a very attractive newt when seen in the water. |
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dave fixx Senior Member Joined: 13 Mar 2007 No. of posts: 319  View other posts by dave fixx |
Posted: 14 Jul 2010 Thanks for posting Rupe,really enjoyed reading about the trip and seeing the pictures. 
Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
- Croatia Trip June/July 2010 |