July Already

Well it's July, the weather is warming up and herping wise things tend to slow down. Animals warm up quickly, the vegetation gets quite dense and normally it's a time to ease off until late summer. However today I thought I would try and find a female Adder (Vipera berus) or 2 having only seen 1 in my local area this year (but 5 over the other side of the Pennines). I had an early start and went to an area where I've had the most success with adders in summer and soon found a female. She didn't move off when she saw me, so I took some in situ photos and left her in peace. There were a number of newly emerged Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) an important prey species for newborn adders. There also seemed to be a lot of small birds around today mainly warblers but quite a few Stonechats (Saxicola torquata). At my second best spot, no adders, but I caught a small Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) which was probably a second year.

Above and Below Female Adder Vipera berus © Carl Corbidge

Froglet Rana temporaria © Carl Corbidge

Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara © Carl Corbidge

Male Stonechat Saxicola torquata © Carl Corbidge

I had a little bit of time left so a quick drive to a Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis) spot and I found a male and a gravid female, which was very dark indeed. A couple of tins that they use had been flipped and not put back in place, which was a little irritating.

Above Male Slow Worm and Below Female Slow Worm © Carl Corbidge