tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77825405623943540752024-03-12T17:40:37.776-07:00Snakes in the Forest of DeanRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-68032237068438768042014-06-16T15:03:00.000-07:002014-06-16T15:04:58.649-07:00Latest Sightings - June<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few images from the last week or so surveying in the Forest of Dean.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taken from 4 different sites.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LQ6fOZPGB0/U59jiovzqwI/AAAAAAAACQU/KqpX7RDYcYg/s1600/FoD101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LQ6fOZPGB0/U59jiovzqwI/AAAAAAAACQU/KqpX7RDYcYg/s1600/FoD101.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male adder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbThA14hreE/U59kcNPsblI/AAAAAAAACQc/5utxMLhC6DQ/s1600/FoD35-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbThA14hreE/U59kcNPsblI/AAAAAAAACQc/5utxMLhC6DQ/s1600/FoD35-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile adder basking on a tree stump</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URBBbTU6KY0/U59kmT7M2JI/AAAAAAAACQs/bJtzyiz6iR0/s1600/FoD27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URBBbTU6KY0/U59kmT7M2JI/AAAAAAAACQs/bJtzyiz6iR0/s1600/FoD27.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile adder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AA2XHwVE-ME/U59kizZ4gPI/AAAAAAAACQk/JuyYw7ZIP1s/s1600/FoD26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AA2XHwVE-ME/U59kizZ4gPI/AAAAAAAACQk/JuyYw7ZIP1s/s1600/FoD26.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mature female adder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yr0ceGFI3wc/U59lGjL3V7I/AAAAAAAACQ0/Tg8QKS25mVQ/s1600/FoD43-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yr0ceGFI3wc/U59lGjL3V7I/AAAAAAAACQ0/Tg8QKS25mVQ/s1600/FoD43-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass snake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-vn1lNinPg/U59meUNznmI/AAAAAAAACRI/F9FxF6N4Ajc/s1600/FoD17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-vn1lNinPg/U59meUNznmI/AAAAAAAACRI/F9FxF6N4Ajc/s1600/FoD17.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female adder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdceDF5hp0E/U59n0EOjT9I/AAAAAAAACSA/VZs5WNVTRmc/s1600/FoD24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdceDF5hp0E/U59n0EOjT9I/AAAAAAAACSA/VZs5WNVTRmc/s1600/FoD24.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female adder in the grass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGiRpSYzFjU/U59nCSMeWDI/AAAAAAAACRg/A92FMLTz2Dc/s1600/FoD21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGiRpSYzFjU/U59nCSMeWDI/AAAAAAAACRg/A92FMLTz2Dc/s1600/FoD21.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male adder basking on a log</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-hv2ClK9sU/U59oOcDWIOI/AAAAAAAACSY/9gkbOz0SEoc/s1600/FoD20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-hv2ClK9sU/U59oOcDWIOI/AAAAAAAACSY/9gkbOz0SEoc/s1600/FoD20.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloughed (shed) grass snake skin</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please help us map and protect our heprtiles by uploading all your reptile and amphibian sightings to our record pool, via our<a href="http://www.glosarg.org/#"> GlosARG</a> website <a href="http://www.glosarg.org/#/record-sightings/4570721807">HERE</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rob</span><br />
<br />Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-22962550572347105452014-06-08T13:12:00.000-07:002014-06-08T13:14:13.604-07:00Latest Survey - Saturday 7th June 2014<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been surveying like mad, taking advantage of the nice weather, just like our reptiles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2014 is proving to be a great year so far for our snakes in Forest of Dean and I hope it continues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some photos from the weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Total snakes recorded from two sites...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adder - X12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grass snake - X5</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NFTGPUpOio/U5TBBDfYsKI/AAAAAAAACPM/56Lpm9w2Umc/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NFTGPUpOio/U5TBBDfYsKI/AAAAAAAACPM/56Lpm9w2Umc/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Adder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ClipA2vmds/U5TBHKKc6eI/AAAAAAAACPU/k6Ba9BiGI1A/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ClipA2vmds/U5TBHKKc6eI/AAAAAAAACPU/k6Ba9BiGI1A/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass snake</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sDi9qrNlxZM/U5TBVLLvYfI/AAAAAAAACPc/urEz6fAvRJs/s1600/IMG_0495-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sDi9qrNlxZM/U5TBVLLvYfI/AAAAAAAACPc/urEz6fAvRJs/s1600/IMG_0495-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Adder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLwrO_09t3o/U5TBp-f7IxI/AAAAAAAACPk/wvK6IaSdSf0/s1600/IMG_0496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLwrO_09t3o/U5TBp-f7IxI/AAAAAAAACPk/wvK6IaSdSf0/s1600/IMG_0496.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Adder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwNLMuUD4ao/U5TCBwW-FyI/AAAAAAAACPs/I1C70wD65mo/s1600/IMG_0497-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwNLMuUD4ao/U5TCBwW-FyI/AAAAAAAACPs/I1C70wD65mo/s1600/IMG_0497-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Adder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNonlgSF-to/U5TCH0-NYDI/AAAAAAAACP0/BFDUhErY1LY/s1600/IMG_0512-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNonlgSF-to/U5TCH0-NYDI/AAAAAAAACP0/BFDUhErY1LY/s1600/IMG_0512-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Adder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wnQmRn-cO8/U5TCd2_JloI/AAAAAAAACP8/Ez15Mq6sRGU/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wnQmRn-cO8/U5TCd2_JloI/AAAAAAAACP8/Ez15Mq6sRGU/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Adder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/glosarg">Twitter</a>Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-50819494646205727442014-06-02T14:11:00.002-07:002014-06-02T14:11:13.540-07:00Snakes 2014<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apologies for not keeping this blog updated. I've had a lot going on, but it doesn't mean I haven't been out there surveying Gloucestershire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We "GlosARG" have already completed two events so far this year for Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust in the form of a talk and a survey training event in Stroud, which both sold out and went really well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Onto the snakes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the adder is in serious decline throughout the UK it is always an anxious time, just before you start seeing the snakes emerge from hibernation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully all of my sites (bar one) are producing healthy populations and to top it off we have also identified a new reptile location. Below are the findings from one recent survey at this new site.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adder (male) X2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adder (female) X1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slow-worm X2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Common lizard 50+</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speechless, but it proves that there are still many undiscovered areas out there, waiting to be discovered. All you need to do is get your feet on the ground and find them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can now monitor this site and help protect it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to get involved, please follow this link to <a href="http://www.glosarg.org/">GlosARG</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GlosARG">FB</a> too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below are some images from March to date. I have seen quite a few grass snakes, but not had the opportunity to photograph one just yet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rob</span>Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-25359716011978098202013-03-30T08:32:00.002-07:002013-03-30T08:32:30.748-07:001st Adder of 2013 - At Long Last!It has felt like and age and I was starting to think that the winter weather was never going to leave (well the Forest of Dean anyway).<br />
Then, on Saturday 30th March the sun came out and for a change I wasn't at work, so with Scott Passmore (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/GlosARG">GlosARG</a> compatriot), I grabbed the camera and headed to our first of three survey areas for the day.<br />
Within 10 minuets of being at the first sight we found our first adder (Vipera berus) of 2013!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI4N_CYfcLc/UVcCFFvoHkI/AAAAAAAABxM/sd9ZWTJdxC8/s1600/Adder+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI4N_CYfcLc/UVcCFFvoHkI/AAAAAAAABxM/sd9ZWTJdxC8/s320/Adder+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GlosARG 1st Adder of 2013 </td></tr>
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<br />Unfortunately, this was the last sighting in this area and this was disappointing as this is by far, one of the best areas that we know of.<div>
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The other two sites were fruitless, but as we didn't see any lizards of slow-worms either, the lad in the photo above must be the rebel of the area as he was last to go in and first to come out!<br /><div>
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GlosARG on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/GlosARG">HERE</a><br />
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GlosARG Website <a href="http://www.glosarg.org/">HERE</a><br />
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Rob</div>
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Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-37232127592380094972012-09-30T13:48:00.003-07:002012-09-30T13:48:34.881-07:00New Website - Check it Out!<br />
My new website is now up and running, check it out here -<a href="http://www.robwardwildlifephotography.co.uk/#">http://www.robwardwildlifephotography.co.uk/#</a><br />
Massive thanks to Scott Passmore for his time, building this site for me.<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/scottkpassmore?fref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/scottkpassmore?fref=ts</a><br />
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Don't worry, I will still keep this blog updated with all things snake related in the Forest of Dean.<br />
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Rob<br />
Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-3476895467168570312012-08-31T12:09:00.001-07:002012-08-31T12:12:43.605-07:00Full Survey Results (with photos)<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Full Survey Results From New Reptile Site - 31.08.2012</h2>
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Had loads to do at home, but the reptiles always come first and as the sun was shining I had to get back out there to complete a full survey of the new site.</div>
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I was accompanied by my nephew and good mate Paul Skelton who logged every single find for me while I tried my best to grab a photo. Thanks mate!</div>
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At times it sounded something like this....</div>
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"Adder" - "Big Un" - "Female" - "click, click" - "And Another" - "Male" - "Monster" - "click click"</div>
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If anyone was walking up the nearby path I expect they were dialling 999!</div>
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So, without boring you will any more silliness, here are the pics from today. PS: I will have to film my surveying one day, just to give you a giggle, but to also show how it's done.</div>
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<b><u>Total Findings Below</u></b><br />
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<b>Male Adder - 4</b><br />
<b>Female Adder - 6</b><br />
<b>Jevenile Adder - 2</b><br />
<b>Grass Snake - 2</b><br />
<b>Slow-worm - 3</b><br />
<b>Common Lizard - 27</b></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Click on all photographs for larger view</span></b></u>
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Firstly, here is a photograph of what we had to contend with. Surveying in areas like this can be extremely hard due to the long grass, which makes finding reptiles even harder.</div>
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All photographs are straight out of the camera, how I saw them and how they are meant to be seen.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HlaSmjjzEs/UED6sY3e_DI/AAAAAAAABkk/DMVuYiLGb04/s1600/20120831-Survey13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HlaSmjjzEs/UED6sY3e_DI/AAAAAAAABkk/DMVuYiLGb04/s320/20120831-Survey13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survey Area</td></tr>
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<u><b>SLOW-WORMS</b></u></div>
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Here are a couple of slow-worms. I could have easily moved them for a better photograph, but I never do this as I like to walk away knowing they have not been disturbed. The same goes for the snakes.<br />
As mentioned earlier, these photographs are for illustration and record purposes only, I was not there to get an award winning shot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nCUL97mxN9o/UED6h-jPF8I/AAAAAAAABkU/PdG6U4Q8HbA/s1600/20120831-Survey11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nCUL97mxN9o/UED6h-jPF8I/AAAAAAAABkU/PdG6U4Q8HbA/s320/20120831-Survey11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow-worm</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aNc-AdJNys/UED7OVIW4VI/AAAAAAAABlc/oEZL95H3oh4/s1600/20120831-Survey3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aNc-AdJNys/UED7OVIW4VI/AAAAAAAABlc/oEZL95H3oh4/s320/20120831-Survey3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow-worm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u><b>ADDERS</b></u><br />
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Tell tale signs were around and this sloughed adder skin was a sure sign that an adder was not far away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umdodGz1E-4/UED6cua-wvI/AAAAAAAABkM/uLKuxtwuxFE/s1600/20120831-Survey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umdodGz1E-4/UED6cua-wvI/AAAAAAAABkM/uLKuxtwuxFE/s320/20120831-Survey1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloughed Female Adder Skin</td></tr>
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This male adder was basking at the bottom of a small grassy bank. Quite a large male, but not the biggest of the day.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTF4ONADZgg/UED69MiXdPI/AAAAAAAABlA/rmFZMVKKhwk/s1600/20120831-Survey19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTF4ONADZgg/UED69MiXdPI/AAAAAAAABlA/rmFZMVKKhwk/s320/20120831-Survey19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Adder<br />
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You may have noticed in the previous photograph that there was a hole in the grass to the side of the male adder. If you did, well done as this is where he will bolt down if a possible threat appears. Among other predators, buzzards take adders, so this is a quick escape route for him. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sod9GDubPyQ/UED7DWsduOI/AAAAAAAABlI/0f1uSifjM1c/s1600/20120831-Survey26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sod9GDubPyQ/UED7DWsduOI/AAAAAAAABlI/0f1uSifjM1c/s320/20120831-Survey26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bolt Hole with Male Adder</td></tr>
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This fella was humongous, easily the largest male adder I have seen in a long time, if not the largest ever. Hard to get a true scale of how big he actually was, but believe me, he was big!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxI9f3Zqn1s/UED7I4OOfCI/AAAAAAAABlQ/Rimiq9TpNXQ/s1600/20120831-Survey29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxI9f3Zqn1s/UED7I4OOfCI/AAAAAAAABlQ/Rimiq9TpNXQ/s320/20120831-Survey29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Male Adder</td></tr>
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I have already mentioned how hard it can be surveying in long grass and this illustrates it perfectly.<br />
Now click on the photograph and look to the bottom of the frame. You will notice a male adder in the grass and I was kneeling not far from him when I took this shot, totally missed him and only realised he was there when I uploaded my pics to the PC!<br />
So focused on the one I could see, I forgot to check for others. School boy error!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZ_QasbESpA/UED6yD9R4fI/AAAAAAAABkw/EXYtnDYh-Xg/s1600/20120831-Survey15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZ_QasbESpA/UED6yD9R4fI/AAAAAAAABkw/EXYtnDYh-Xg/s320/20120831-Survey15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male and Female Adders</td></tr>
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Here is another female coiled up like a turban.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZ2PsueoqME/UED7W1lzsTI/AAAAAAAABls/BVfhUAxJrvM/s1600/20120831-Survey37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZ2PsueoqME/UED7W1lzsTI/AAAAAAAABls/BVfhUAxJrvM/s320/20120831-Survey37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Adder</td></tr>
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This is a female adder preparing to slough (shed her skin). You will notice that her eye has turned blue and this is where fluid is building up between the new inner and old outer skin layers. The fluid helps the skin peel off.<br />
A snakes eye is covered by a scale and as this is part of the skin, it also comes away. As the old eye scale lifts it severely impairs the snakes vision.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoKdj2cvs7s/UED7btkDk0I/AAAAAAAABl0/G2nDhxMZ0vI/s1600/20120831-Survey4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoKdj2cvs7s/UED7btkDk0I/AAAAAAAABl0/G2nDhxMZ0vI/s320/20120831-Survey4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adder preparing to slough</td></tr>
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This is something a little different; a young female adder basking in, or rather on a gorse bush. Over the millennia snakes have come to realise that habitat like gorse and bramble is one of the safest places to live and bask as not many predators can get to them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ilXlq6KS4c/UED7j0wXPSI/AAAAAAAABmE/uhA-FWDaqGA/s1600/20120831-Survey51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ilXlq6KS4c/UED7j0wXPSI/AAAAAAAABmE/uhA-FWDaqGA/s320/20120831-Survey51.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Female Adder </td></tr>
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Slightly different angle and zoomed in to show how she is perched on the gorse and bramble.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oq3CAGTZYEQ/UED7fCXFEeI/AAAAAAAABl8/D9EvYNOxFNM/s1600/20120831-Survey47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oq3CAGTZYEQ/UED7fCXFEeI/AAAAAAAABl8/D9EvYNOxFNM/s320/20120831-Survey47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close Up of same adder</td></tr>
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<u><b>LIZARDS</b></u><br />
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Too many lizards to photograph, but here are just a few. The lizard is a main part of the adder and grass snakes diet, so no wonder there are loads of snakes around as we counted 27 lizards in total, with loads missed as you never see them all.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BtOlZjoZ3U/UED6n1HmrHI/AAAAAAAABkc/-0VXpiuaHBw/s1600/20120831-Survey12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BtOlZjoZ3U/UED6n1HmrHI/AAAAAAAABkc/-0VXpiuaHBw/s320/20120831-Survey12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizard</td></tr>
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If you look to the right of this shot you will notice a cylindrical stripy body. This is the body of a large grass hopper and it looks like this lizard has it's eye on it!<br />
This site is so well balanced and it shows just how the decline in one species (like the grass hopper) could have serious consequences right up, and down the food chain!<br />
No grass hoppers means less lizards and less lizards means less snakes - Oops!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrpm5rU-Txw/UED7S2nGTxI/AAAAAAAABlk/uWNa6HvV0qk/s1600/20120831-Survey32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrpm5rU-Txw/UED7S2nGTxI/AAAAAAAABlk/uWNa6HvV0qk/s320/20120831-Survey32.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizard and Grass Hopper</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QG23mOG5k_A/UED7pOTgBeI/AAAAAAAABmQ/MICOzjMQbcM/s1600/20120831-Survey7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QG23mOG5k_A/UED7pOTgBeI/AAAAAAAABmQ/MICOzjMQbcM/s320/20120831-Survey7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizard</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIDU0knp-g0/UED70cwy_gI/AAAAAAAABmg/uUEG3F6_Xkg/s1600/20120831-Survey8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIDU0knp-g0/UED70cwy_gI/AAAAAAAABmg/uUEG3F6_Xkg/s320/20120831-Survey8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><u>GRASS SNAKE</u></b><br />
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Last but by no means least, the grass snake. We recorded two on this visit; one didn't hang around, but we saw this one in plenty of time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Panqz1_ADzQ/UED7u5bI7bI/AAAAAAAABmY/HrP7sC32LPE/s1600/20120831-Survey75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Panqz1_ADzQ/UED7u5bI7bI/AAAAAAAABmY/HrP7sC32LPE/s320/20120831-Survey75.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass snake basking</td></tr>
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I managed to get a little closer and with the zoom this is her, basking in the grass. They are hard to find and even harder to photograph, so I am pleased with this result.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwfUmwZVeoY/UED74gJ-YnI/AAAAAAAABmo/VwPBRrl-c5w/s1600/20120831-Survey88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwfUmwZVeoY/UED74gJ-YnI/AAAAAAAABmo/VwPBRrl-c5w/s320/20120831-Survey88.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same grass snake, up close</td></tr>
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What a day and well worth the effort. If you would like to get involved and help manage habitats like this, survey, or just record while someone else surveys, please do get in touch.</div>
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GlosARG is Gloucestershire's very own Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Group and we are here to help you get involved. Young or mature, we welcome all.</div>
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Visit us at the following links or just email me direct.</div>
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<a href="http://www.glosarg.org/Patrons.html">GlosARG Official Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/GlosARG">GlosARG on Facebook</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/GlosARG">GlosARG on Twitter</a></div>
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Thanks</div>
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Rob :-)</div>
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Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-86159689885217374152012-08-31T04:50:00.000-07:002012-08-31T04:50:58.218-07:00New Reptile Habitat Discovered<h2>
Great news for Gloucestershire as GlosARG has discovered a new unique reptile habitat!</h2>
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Scott Passmore and I (Founders of GlosARG) decided to survey a new location on Thursday 30th August and we were stunned by what we found.</div>
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In just 30 minuets of surveying we found the following...</div>
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Mature Female Adder - x3</div>
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Mature Male Adder - x1</div>
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Juvenile Adder - x1</div>
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Mature Grass Snake - x2</div>
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Common Lizard - x6</div>
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Slow-worm - x2</div>
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It goes without saying that this is a "significant discovery", especially as we only had 30 minuets due to time restrictions.<br />
We only covered a very small area where this habitat is concerned and we are confident that when thoroughly surveyed, this site will produce upwards of 20 snakes. In fact we are confident that this could be one of the most important discoveries in the Gloucestershire area for many years.<br />
Due to this, I have contact the right people with the hope that this site is preserved and protected as a site of special interest, so that these remarkable reptiles can carry on thriving.<br />
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Why are there so many reptiles at this one site? The answer to that is quite simple. See list below.<br />
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<ol>
<li>There is a healthy food source for all reptiles present</li>
<li>Although the site is frequented regularly my members of the public, the habitat and therefore the reptiles themselves have been undisturbed</li>
<li>Most importantly the corridors the reptiles use to move around have been undisturbed</li>
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To elaborate on the 3rd point; corridors are grassy rides, ditches, hedgerows and forest edges, which have not been cut off by walls, roads and building development, allowing these creatures to move around. This is vital, especially during the breeding season.</div>
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When an area is developed the construction companies sometimes leave a nature area, such as a small plot of woodland, field or park and these areas may have once been, or in some cases still are home to reptiles. Unlike the lizard, which is capable of climbing, our snakes and the slow-worm are not and are therefore isolated. Over time, due to inbreeding these animals become infertile and slowly die off; something that is now being seen and recorded throughout the whole of the UK.</div>
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We must stop this practice now and start to think greener, to protect all wildlife as once the concrete is down, the damage is irreversible.</div>
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Please support GlosARG by clicking the links below, thanks!</div>
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<a href="http://www.glosarg.org/">GlosARG Official Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/GlosARG">GlosARG on Facebook</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/GlosARG">GlosARG on Twitter</a></div>
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Rob</div>
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<br />Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-81921178083276061752012-07-13T11:23:00.001-07:002012-07-13T11:23:19.229-07:00GlosARG Update<br />
We are off and running with our new group; GlosARG! However, we now have a new website and Facebook page, so use the links on this post.<br />
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Gloucestershire Amphibian and Reptile Group has been set up for the conservation of all our native reptiles and amphibians throughout Gloucestershire.<br />
We are an affiliated group of ARG UK.<br />
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<b><u>WE NEED YOUR HELP!</u></b><br />
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If you would like to get involved, please contact us through one of the links below. We have a website, Facebook and Twitter pages, so you can easily get hold of us.<br />
The feeling you get from knowing you have done something to conserve wildlife can not be beaten, so please get involved. It is fun, interesting and educational.<br />
Get the kids involved and give them a passion, which will carry them well through life. What a feeling it would be to see your own children pass this gift onto your grandchildren!<br />
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We have only been running for a few weeks and in this time we have already discovered a "new" Great Crested Newt colony in the Forest of Dean.<br />
These newts are endangered and protected by European law, so we couldn't have hoped for a better start!<br />
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You can reach us through the following links below.<br />
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<a href="http://www.glosarg.org/Our_Team.html">GlosARG Website</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/GlosARG">Facebook</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/GlosARG">Twitter</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.arguk.org/">ARG UK</a><br />
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Thank you in advance.<br />
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Rob<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-49545319809529754192012-07-08T04:05:00.001-07:002012-07-08T04:05:05.570-07:00Sign up to GlosARG Today!<br />
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<u>GlosARG</u></h2>
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If you are not already aware, along with a good friend Scott Passmore I have founded Gloucestershire's very own Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Group. This group is only a couple of weeks old yet we have already discovered a new colony of Great Crested Newts living in an old, secluded pond deep in the Forest of Dean.</div>
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A great start to our new venture and we hope for many more discoveries in the years to come.</div>
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If you live in the Gloucestershire area and want to help us by becoming involved. Please visit our website, Facebook page or even Twitter. You can contact us on all of these pages and we will be delighted to sign you up!</div>
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I have been finding, surveying and managing areas for the adder and grass snake for years. In turn this helps other reptiles and amphibians in the area. I have a wealth of experience and I would be delighted to pass this on to the right people so that together, we can make Gloucestershire a recognised place where Reptile and Amphibian Conservation is concerned.</div>
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See links under adder pic.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IcfYjqvTzx0/T_ldaV91jjI/AAAAAAAABf4/W41y1FVmgUI/s1600/Female+Adder+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IcfYjqvTzx0/T_ldaV91jjI/AAAAAAAABf4/W41y1FVmgUI/s320/Female+Adder+rs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.glosarg.org/Home_Page.php">GlosARG</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/GlosARG/">Facebook</a></div>
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Rob</div>Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-57576104899614460652012-06-29T15:28:00.000-07:002012-06-29T15:29:21.936-07:00Adder Macro!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><u><b>PLEASE VISIT MY PREVIOUS POST FOR A NEW ARG GROUP IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE</b></u></span></div>
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Another very special encounter with a female adder recently. I took quite a few images, but here is just one as a teaser!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Adder (Vipera berus)<br />
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Rob</div>Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-86252511007624921752012-06-29T15:19:00.000-07:002012-06-29T15:20:44.351-07:00"New" ARG Gloucestershire<br />
With a friend I have started a new amphibian and reptile conservation group in the Forest of dean, Gloucestershire.<br />
This group is called GlosARG and we are an affiliated group of ARG UK.<br />
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Our aim is to.....<br />
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Raise awareness<br />
Recruit volunteers<br />
Survey Gloucestershire<br />
Manage existing habitats<br />
Create new habitats<br />
Achieve protection status on existing and new habitats<br />
See Gloucestershire recognised as a special place for Herptile Conservation<br />
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This isn't going to happen overnight and it isn't going to be easy, but with our passion, focus and some much needed help, I am sure we can achieve our goals.<br />
Until now Gloucestershire did not have a ARG group, so Scott and I decided to change this and show the world the wonders of this special place.<br />
Please contact me if you would like to help. We will be organising walks, talks as well as teaching volunteers how to survey all the magnificent amphibians and reptiles we have in Gloucestershire.<br />
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<a href="http://www.arguk.org/">ARG Website</a><br />
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Follow us on...<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/GlosARG">Twitter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/GlosARG/">Facebook</a><br />
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As well as many other species, these are just some of the amphibians and reptiles we will be surveying and looking after throughout Gloucestershire.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHlVTwinizM/T-4iHVGxzTI/AAAAAAAABes/qCsHlCrihFM/s1600/Great+Crested+Newt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHlVTwinizM/T-4iHVGxzTI/AAAAAAAABes/qCsHlCrihFM/s320/Great+Crested+Newt2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Great Crested Newt</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BM0GPS_D0ms/T-4jEqNpDXI/AAAAAAAABfE/7671Mbh3BtU/s1600/Sleeping+Lizard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BM0GPS_D0ms/T-4jEqNpDXI/AAAAAAAABfE/7671Mbh3BtU/s320/Sleeping+Lizard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0Forest of Dean District, Gloucestershire, UK51.7818576 -2.576528351.4675151 -3.2082423 52.096200100000004 -1.9448143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-53539976972837291192012-06-18T10:12:00.001-07:002012-06-18T10:12:37.233-07:00Adder Kiss!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In this short adder film you will see a male adder that is preparing to slough, or shed his skin. When this happens the snake's eye scale turns blue as fluid builds up between the new inner and old outer skin. The fluid helps the snake discard the old skin.</div>
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When this happens the snake's vision is severely impaired and it can cause irregular behaviour, like you will see in this clip. </div>
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Adders do not generally approach large mammals as they have identified them as a possible threat, not a food source, but when their vision is impaired they are attracted to the heat source as they can not identify what it is, or how big it is. All they see is a heat signature and a possible meal. In this case he was focusing on my camera and my hands.</div>
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I was lying on my belly using my elbows as support when he started to approach me and this is when I had to quickly shuffle backwards. At one point he actually licked the front of my camera!</div>
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I hope you enjoy my video.</div>
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Rob</div>
<br />Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-79047599275896598892012-06-15T11:47:00.001-07:002012-06-15T11:47:30.483-07:00Adder Behaviour Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here we have some video footage of adders in their natural environment, with no disturbance. I like filming the snakes in this way as it shows their true natural behaviour, however, it does mean setting up the camera and sitting back to wait for them to actually move and this can take some time!</div>
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I have increased the playback speed on some of the snakes featured as they are quite slow movers and this gives the film an extra special look.</div>
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PS: The black one is the only recorded melanistic adder found in the Forest of Dean and I was over the moon when I found it. Might never see one again in this area and as I haven't seen him for a while this snake ranks right up there as one of my best ever adder encounters.</div>
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Rob</div>Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-48366922250638839042012-03-11T13:41:00.002-07:002012-03-11T13:49:03.563-07:00First Grass Snake of 2012Not been able to get out much due to other commitments and work, but I did manage to get out for a couple of hours earlier and I found a nice basking grass snake.<br />Although I did manage to get close, which is quite hard with the grass snake, it kept it's head hidden from view!<br />Still nice to see and I'm sure there will be many more encounters where I can get a clear head shot.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpC9OQaqZ0U/T10PiAeqNaI/AAAAAAAABXw/EhzYVCs_3d0/s1600/Grass%2Bsnake%2Brs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpC9OQaqZ0U/T10PiAeqNaI/AAAAAAAABXw/EhzYVCs_3d0/s320/Grass%2Bsnake%2Brs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718744178748962210" /></a>Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-33732679215179403992012-02-05T14:23:00.000-08:002012-02-05T14:27:03.436-08:00Counting Down the Weeks!Why does the first two months of the year take so long to pass? Not that I'm wishing my life away you understand, but snakes are my passion and waiting for them to emerge from hibernation feels like an eternity!<br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-14245836667712180182011-10-08T04:21:00.000-07:002011-10-08T04:26:21.498-07:00My Wildlife on TV!Great to see they featured the female adder I found for BBC Autumnwatch on last night's programme.<br />Also the hornets and wild boar, although all credit goes to them for actually finding the wild boars. I just put them in the right location.<br /><br />A massive thank you to all three presenters for standing up for the wild boars in the UK, a creature very close to my heart.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b015pskp/Autumnwatch_2011_Episode_1/">CLICK HERE FOR AUTUMNWATCH; EPISODE 1</a><br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-26631775299433151892011-10-01T05:44:00.000-07:002011-10-01T05:59:54.831-07:00BBC Autumnwatch are Here!Today I spent the morning with a film crew from BBC Autumnwatch. The main subject was supposed to be wild boar and although I found them a fantastic location (filming tonight), I couldn't resist taking them to one of my adder hot-spots!<br />It wasn't long before I found a lovely "big" female for them to film and although she was quite shy, hopefully they captured enough decent footage to be included in the programme.<br />I also found them some hornets building a nest! This was something I really didn't expect to find as this species dies off during the winter months, so this is not really the best time to start building a nest. We are seeing some unusually hot weather at the moment and this is probably the reason for this unusual activity.<br /><br />Will be on TV next Friday, so get tuned in!<br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-48173454606168489412011-09-08T05:18:00.000-07:002011-09-08T05:23:07.852-07:00Snake Found in Bedroom!I was contacted by the Cheltenham Echo yesterday to identify a snake that a local resident had found in his home. At first I thought I was going to see a pet corn snake or a young python, but I was shocked to see that it was an adder. Britain's only venomous snake!<br /><br />Click link below for full article.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Snake-expert-appeals-calm-adder-bedroom/story-13287836-detail/story.html">Snake Article</a><br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-88884461095712847822011-09-02T02:42:00.000-07:002011-09-02T03:00:51.132-07:00Cobra in the Forest!The grass snake (Natrix natrix) may not be venomous like the adder (Vipera berus), but they do posses some other unique ways of fending off a possible threat.
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<br />1. If you startle a grass snake and it feels like it has no means of a quick escape, it will sometimes rear up like a cobra. The female grass snake in the photograph below did just that and at around 120cm in length, with approx 1/3 of her body raised in the air, she was quite intimidating.
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<br />2. If a grass snake is attacked, or if it feels like its life is in danger, it will sometimes feign death. Basically it will squirm around and come to rest upside down with its mouth gaping and tongue hanging out.
<br />I do not have any photographs of this as I have never put a grass snake in this situation, where it feels threatened to this degree. I cringe when I see photographs on the internet of grass snakes doing this, as I know that they have been, or are enduring immense stress!
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<br />3. To accompany the death throws and if disturbed, the grass snake will sometimes squirt a "foul" smelling liquid from its anal gland. If this doesn't sound bad enough, just imagine what rotten fish and anal secretions must smell like and you are almost there. If you get this on your clothes or skin, it is very hard to wash away and the smell makes you feel sick!
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<br />A grass snake of 120cm pretending to be a cobra. I was lying on the ground for this shot and her head was higher than mine. Awesome encounter with a truly beautiful snake.
<br />I still see her today on occasions, 4 years later and she looks a lot bigger.
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pldwW7kRC6k/TmClgIjbD1I/AAAAAAAABBM/2FpG-5xYooc/s1600/Cobra%2B-%2BGrass%2BSnake.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pldwW7kRC6k/TmClgIjbD1I/AAAAAAAABBM/2FpG-5xYooc/s320/Cobra%2B-%2BGrass%2BSnake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647695904193056594" /></a>
<br />
<br />Rob
<br />Rob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-25321602034258208082011-08-04T05:07:00.000-07:002011-08-04T05:25:45.825-07:00Success!You may remember my post earlier this year when I, along with a friend carried some heavy corrugated tin, on our heads to a location in the Forest of Dean.<br />This tin was to give the adders some artificial refuge and help with the decline in their numbers in this area.<br />After giving the reptiles time to get used to the change in their habitat and explore it, I went back for the first time yesterday evening. Although the tin was nearly covered by bracken I managed to take a look underneath and success as the first piece had two slow worms underneath. This was great to see as adders share the same basking spots as the slow worm, so I moved on to the next piece hoping to see one taking advantage of it!<br />Nothing under the second piece except a large ant nest, so I re-positioned it in a different location.<br />I dug my way in through the bracken to the third piece and lifted it up. There she was, a lovely female adder, coiled up right in the centre. <br />I was over the moon and this just shows what a little hard work and determination can achieve!<br /><br /><strong>No pics of the adder I'm afraid, for a couple of reasons.</strong><br />1. I didn't want to disturb her, so the tin was carefully placed back down straight away.<br />2. It would have been hard taking a photograph one handed!<br /><br />A massive thank you to my friend Mark Dando for his help and an equal amount of credit is due to him for helping a species in decline, in the Forest of Dean! <br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-80136221800786102282011-07-01T09:48:00.000-07:002011-07-01T10:06:39.234-07:00An Hour With the Adders!Had a good day with the adders this morning. Found 5 in total and all of them were females ranging from a tiny juvenile to a fully grown lady!<br />I was bitten by some nasties and got bramble scars all over my legs, but it was my own fault for lying in them while wearing shorts!<br /><br />The tiny one. Around 9 inches long and a feisty girl. She wasn't too bothered and was quite inquisitive. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fT_tMK7suWQ/Tg39Nul0aKI/AAAAAAAAA8k/NGzDPw9P-k0/s1600/Adder3%2Brs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fT_tMK7suWQ/Tg39Nul0aKI/AAAAAAAAA8k/NGzDPw9P-k0/s320/Adder3%2Brs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624429921942399138" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OsHD9C7SUBw/Tg39OsExLNI/AAAAAAAAA88/vX_3AUt1Guk/s1600/Adder141%2Brs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OsHD9C7SUBw/Tg39OsExLNI/AAAAAAAAA88/vX_3AUt1Guk/s320/Adder141%2Brs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624429938446773458" /></a><br /><br />And here is mum basking just around the corner. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_vFhwBaRBVY/Tg39N8i4yhI/AAAAAAAAA8s/vNIxFFMSPpA/s1600/Adder17%2Brs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_vFhwBaRBVY/Tg39N8i4yhI/AAAAAAAAA8s/vNIxFFMSPpA/s320/Adder17%2Brs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624429925688199698" /></a><br /><br />Same female except this time uncoiled and stretched out!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JrADwXG8N0U/Tg39PAaGJwI/AAAAAAAAA9E/OT_gt1FHdnc/s1600/Adder30%2Brs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JrADwXG8N0U/Tg39PAaGJwI/AAAAAAAAA9E/OT_gt1FHdnc/s320/Adder30%2Brs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624429943904937730" /></a><br /><br />Another female under a gorse bush. I don't push to get too close to the larger adders as they are more timid than the little ones and it would only disturb them. Anyway, it's nice to see them in their natural habitat.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1on8V6_o2I/Tg39OVkY4pI/AAAAAAAAA80/pRacntFBDng/s1600/Adder18%2Brs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1on8V6_o2I/Tg39OVkY4pI/AAAAAAAAA80/pRacntFBDng/s320/Adder18%2Brs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624429932405383826" /></a><br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-81860123204220000062011-06-30T14:57:00.000-07:002011-06-30T15:03:02.583-07:00Male Adder!Not a great pic I know, but this male adder was in a gorse bush (they usually are) and it was tricky to get a decent angle.<br />Unless I can get down to their level, I don't get too close because this just disturbs them and I would rather walk away with a crappy shot than disturb this reptile just for the sake of a photograph!<br /><br />Will hopefully be getting out tomorrow weather permitting!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krUdSgdBx1g/TgzyYREpGCI/AAAAAAAAA8c/9enAuwjFuaw/s1600/Adder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krUdSgdBx1g/TgzyYREpGCI/AAAAAAAAA8c/9enAuwjFuaw/s320/Adder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624136533392562210" /></a><br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-79178787931987113832011-05-07T02:39:00.000-07:002011-05-07T02:56:22.260-07:00Nine Year Old Girl Bitten by Adder in New Forest!It happens quite a lot, but when it happens to a young child it is a worrying time. The adder's bite is not that serious, unless you get a allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock, or Anaphylaxis and then it can be very serious, even fatal if untreated!<br />Unfortunately, nine year old Tylar Butcher was recently bitten while holidaying with her family in the New Forest and suffered an allergic reaction, which required hospital treatment. Thankfully she is making an excellent recovery and has even shown an interest in the adder. This is great news as it will have a very positive impact on the way certain people think and react towards this snake.<br /><br />The adder has been persecuted for years, for just being able to defend itself and as humans we see it as a threat, so we kill it. Thankfully we are not all like this and some of us want to protect them. I hope Tylar will grow up wanting to help protect them too!<br />Read Tylar's <a href="http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/adder-bite.html">STORY HERE</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWdGOXArp3s/TcUWxslZGkI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/m1b4vcoDNO8/s1600/Male%2BAdder1%2Brs.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWdGOXArp3s/TcUWxslZGkI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/m1b4vcoDNO8/s320/Male%2BAdder1%2Brs.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603910354369845826" /></a><br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-22493365765189167702011-04-29T05:48:00.000-07:002011-04-29T05:52:31.406-07:00Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - To be Scrapped!If you care for our Wildlife, Countryside and environment then I implore you to sign the petition to help stop "our Government" from scrapping <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69">The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</a>.<br /><br />Its hard to believe that once again "our Government" is trying to take steps to damage our fragile environment. I can't imagine living in a civilised Country, which has no protection for its wildlife. This Act is the highest form of protection our wildlife has and by removing it, it will open the door to death and destruction!<br /><br />For instance, we have wildlife in decline throughout the country, like the dormouse, water vole, great crested newt and the adder, to name just a few. We / they need this Act for their ongoing protection and also for the thousands of people who spend countless hours and work very hard protecting and creating endangered habitats.<br />Have they lost sight of what really matters? Do they not care that one day we will all be living in concrete jungles, choking on the smog filled environment we have created? It is time once again to open their eyes and show them that we do care and we will not bow down to their idiotic idealists! <br /><br />They tried to sell off our forests and failed due to public condemnation and we should feel proud that we stopped them in their tracks (for now). But once again, I ask you all to stand up and be counted as this issue is just as serious. <br /><br /><br />Please click the link below and sign the petition.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/dont-scrap-environment-laws#petition">38degrees</a><br /><br /><br />Also, send a email to your local MP, asking him to clarify what proposals have been made and that you are strongly against them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.writetothem.com/">Write to Them</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks for your support!<br /><br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782540562394354075.post-38022385465669319312011-04-25T10:09:00.000-07:002011-04-25T10:28:35.772-07:00Adder Survey Project & Some Ladies!It was heavy and the only way of carrying it without making 3 trips back to the car was to balance it on my head! Thankfully I had a friend, willing to suffer a bruised scalp to help!<br />I selected a spot, which has been a hot spot for adders over the years, but like most locations it has seen a sharp decline in their numbers over the last few years. Hopefully this will give them a safe place to bask and help their numbers grow. One benefit of using artificial refuge like corrugated tin is that it absorbs and holds the heat, so the snakes will be able to bask for longer, especially if it is raining.<br />Another bonus is that the snakes may be able to put off hibernation for a few weeks and ever emerge from hibernation earlier if they know they have a safe, warm location. <br /><br />It may take a while for the snakes to get used to it and feel safe using it, but Rome wasn't built in a day, so fingers crossed.<br />Sorry about the close up shots, but I only had the big lens with me - had enough to carry on my head!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qhi8vHDQ0tc/TbWrXAIj-bI/AAAAAAAAA6w/ufA7mZfvkOg/s1600/Adder%2Bsurvey%2B3%2Brs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qhi8vHDQ0tc/TbWrXAIj-bI/AAAAAAAAA6w/ufA7mZfvkOg/s320/Adder%2Bsurvey%2B3%2Brs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599570123366332850" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E2hd7yNZtfw/TbWrROZeK0I/AAAAAAAAA6o/B8J1Y3Xvi8M/s1600/Adder%2Bsurvey2%2Brs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E2hd7yNZtfw/TbWrROZeK0I/AAAAAAAAA6o/B8J1Y3Xvi8M/s320/Adder%2Bsurvey2%2Brs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599570024116136770" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQMqOeoWQsA/TbWrQ3h7IyI/AAAAAAAAA6g/BoEEdnGlBQA/s1600/Adder%2Bsurvey%2Brs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQMqOeoWQsA/TbWrQ3h7IyI/AAAAAAAAA6g/BoEEdnGlBQA/s320/Adder%2Bsurvey%2Brs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599570017977574178" /></a><br /><br /><br />However, I did bump into this girl - a juvenile female adder at a different location and although she was a little grumpy, she did pose for a couple of snaps. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84SPPup8t3M/TbWrQf0NKaI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/2RWlV1Win3E/s1600/Juvenile%2BFemale%2BAdder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84SPPup8t3M/TbWrQf0NKaI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/2RWlV1Win3E/s320/Juvenile%2BFemale%2BAdder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599570011611802018" /></a><br /><br />I moved around to get a nice back-lit image of her, before I left her to bask in peace!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXlgklJvvRA/TbWrQMIZXmI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/SVsjZS60Tyk/s1600/Juvenile%2BFemale%2BAdder%2B3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXlgklJvvRA/TbWrQMIZXmI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/SVsjZS60Tyk/s320/Juvenile%2BFemale%2BAdder%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599570006327778914" /></a><br /><br /><br />The old saying "It's the one you don't see that gets ya!" and I just spotted her in time, but if you go walking in their garden, you need eyes in the back of your head!<br />Again, when I left her she was happily taking in the morning sun. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cCptZGYdRpA/TbWrPwuWZYI/AAAAAAAAA6I/pmYxhjlzU8w/s1600/Female%2BAdder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cCptZGYdRpA/TbWrPwuWZYI/AAAAAAAAA6I/pmYxhjlzU8w/s320/Female%2BAdder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599569998970774914" /></a><br /><br />RobRob Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14909011703506732320noreply@blogger.com0