Hibernating Lizards

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   I've heard a few reports of the first lizards being spotted this season, including the one from Woodlouse on the forums.
Today went to a private reserve in Essex to reset refugia for a spring survey when the sun broke after heavy rain. We had left a pile of five tins and felts on the bank of a pond for deployment in a previously inaccessible part of the reserve this spring. We didn't expect to see any herps but..
on lifting the five felts, this is what we found:

Those with eagle eyes will spot the second group hiding in the grass to the right of the picture above. I carefully moved some of the grass to reveal the second group as pictured below:

We counted 4 adults and 15 sub-adults, there were more but we didn't want to disturb them any more than we already had.
Needless to say we replaced the pile of felts carefully and checked all the lizards were snuggled up comfortably before we moved on.

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administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Hibernating Lizards Posted: 16 Feb 2006 at 12:45pm
	I've heard a few reports of the first lizards being spotted this season, including the one from Woodlouse on the forums. Today went to a private reserve in Essex to reset refugia for a spring survey when the sun broke after heavy rain. We had left a pile of five tins and felts on the bank of a pond for deployment in a previously inaccessible part of the reserve this spring. We didn't expect to see any herps but.. on lifting the five felts, this is what we found: Those with eagle eyes will spot the second group hiding in the grass to the right of the picture above. I carefully moved some of the grass to reveal the second group as pictured below: We counted 4 adults and 15 sub-adults, there were more but we didn't want to disturb them any more than we already had. Needless to say we replaced the pile of felts carefully and checked all the lizards were snuggled up comfortably before we moved on.

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2006 at 1:26pm
	Fantastic Gemma I am writing an article for the Essex Field Club - would be okay to mention the lizards and of course the first adder sighting of the year on valentines day? Lets hope that some of our zig zag marked friends are at this private reserve eh Jon

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2006 at 1:26pm
	PS - please send in the record for the EARG database Cheers JC

Alan Hyde Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1437	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alan Hyde Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2006 at 1:52pm
	Gemma These pictures really made me smile , thank you
	O-> O+>

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2006 at 1:56pm
	Please do mention the sightings in the article Jon. Hopefully I'll be able to confirm presence of the zig zag ones at the reserve within the next couple of weeks if the weather improves ...rain, rain, rain, rain.. wind, rain rain

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2006 at 2:01pm
	Hi Al, you must have been typing at the same time as me, I was totally amazed when I first realised what I was looking at Jon, regarding the record, I'll pass a copy of the full survey report to the EARG. I'm hoping we may be able to get this site for longterm study if adder are present.

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2006 at 2:07pm
	Great We have several study sites coming on line in Essex - including some country parks and a few private sites - Peldon and Maydays Fm on Mersea Island. Jc