My Season

[Daniel Kane]

Seeing as it seems to be the done thing this year, here is a section I will update with my year's herping (and maybe other wildlife highlights) as and when it occurs. I recently bought a macro lens, so maybe expect many of the photos to be of this style

First trip out of the year was the 10th of March; 6*C, sunny. Just a single berus (F11) and around 8 vivipara in an hour. I had been hoping to be searching from early February, especially after seeing the success of other UK herpers on New Year's Day, but all my days off work were rainy so not much luck.

Male vivipara

I went back to 'my' place again today when it was a bit warmer, around 10*C. In 2 hours I came across F11 mosaic basking and around 10 vivipara again. She is a very confident individual and allows a very close approach without seemingly being concerned. No idea where the male snakes are now despite having checked all hibernacula yesterday and today. I suppose in time I will come across them. Also saw a roe deer briefly which was a nice surprise.

F11

About to move into the shade

Hopefully I'll be able to make it to this place and more this year. I'd like to be able to follow the little lizards through their breeding season but we will see how realistic that dream is. Anyway, I look forward to seeing how all your seasons go! Some nice observations so far, keep it up

[Daniel Kane]

Had a few hours out around midday today. 7*C with quite a strong wind and not a lot of sun. It took almost two hours to find the first (and only) snake of the day. Also saw a couple of lizards basking here and there, and two basking close together. They didn't show any behavioural signs of mating; maybe they felt they had to keep extra-vigilant in the cool weather.

The small female

Bigger male

The adder was a very nice sight for me. She is F3 (3rd female I found here) and I last saw her in September 2012 when I was writing my university dissertation on the adders at this location. Before that the last sighting I have of her is from August 2010. Perhaps these years I have seen her she is ready to mate, but I don't know for sure. Maybe I will get to see her again in 2016

F3

[Daniel Kane]

I haven't had much chance to get out in the field recently, but today managed to make a small dream of mine come true. Took a drive (4h round trip) to see some Grass snakes in Cumbria which I had never done before. I know that some of you living in the more southerly parts of the country/continent may think it is crazy to drive so far for this snake, but I think these are beautiful snakes, and my first grassies in about 5 years. My friend and I came across all four species of reptile native to the county of Cumbria, which wasn't bad going for what turned out to be a very warm day.

Male Natrix and Anguis

Yearling Zootoca

Vipera and Zootoca habitat

Small adult female

Female Natrix

In her habitat

Last week I was at my local adder site and came across a few females, all going into shed. One of the females was a new one to me which was a nice surprise; the first new adult snake here in almost two years. She (F13) snuck up on me while I was watching F11 - around 50m and half an hour from where I left her.

F11

F13 (new female)

Back in early April my friend and I had a trip to the coast to find some adders. This was a nice warm sunny day and we found 4 males in a few hours in the heathland and dunes.

Nice male

[Daniel Kane]

A few more shots from today;

Likely M8

First baby of the year, for me

Any more UK/EU babies? I would expect I'm not the first to have them in my area.

[Liam Russell]

Yes we had them 19 August in Sussex/Hampshire.

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

The one I showed on Andre's summer post was from August 16th.