Is this the first UK reptile sighting of 2013?

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   I decided to go for a short walk along the sea front in Bournemouth today and quickly found a ladybird and hoverfly. Encouraged by this, and having felt the ground which was warm, I decided to try my luck at the portman zigzag. To my amazement there was indeed a lone but sleepy looking wall lizard out basking at 3-35 pm. I'm still in shock! [http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisroughley/8429431751/in/photostream]

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ChrisR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Location: Bournemouth Status: Offline Points: 32	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Is this the first UK reptile sighting of 2013? Posted: 30 Jan 2013 at 4:57pm
	I decided to go for a short walk along the sea front in Bournemouth today and quickly found a ladybird and hoverfly. Encouraged by this, and having felt the ground which was warm, I decided to try my luck at the portman zigzag. To my amazement there was indeed a lone but sleepy looking wall lizard out basking at 3-35 pm. I'm still in shock! [http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisroughley/8429431751/in/photostream]
	Chris

tim hamlett Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1062	Post Options Post Reply Quote tim hamlett Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 2013 at 10:39pm


Suzy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1447	Post Options Post Reply Quote Suzy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 2013 at 4:45pm
	Twelve degrees here in East Devon yesterday and sunny. Saw a small tortoiseshell butterfly winging its way around the gardens. Lots of questions about early lizzies Chris - how far had it travelled from hibernation spot/did it find food/was it worth getting out of bed?
	Suz

Suzy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1447	Post Options Post Reply Quote Suzy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 2013 at 4:50pm
	Nice photo of said lizard Chris, and how camouflaged it is.
	Suz

liamrussell Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 100	Post Options Post Reply Quote liamrussell Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 2013 at 8:14pm
	Afraid not, this one beat you to it by 19 days. http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/311690 I think you can see the Podarcis at any time of year if the sun is shining.... Nice bear, I'm assuming that's not from Boscombe? Edited by liamrussell - 01 Feb 2013 at 12:32pm

ChrisR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Location: Bournemouth Status: Offline Points: 32	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2013 at 10:30am
	There where also hoverflies and ladybirds about, so I guess no problems with food if necessary. I'm not sure it had the energy to eat. Insects seem to thrive all year round these days in southern england. The Dartford warblers, Chiffchaff and Goldcrests have to be here for something (I saw a DW just before the lizard). I am reliably informed that the Wall lizards can be seen out in as low as 3 degrees on the cliffs. So an earlier one does not surprise me. The Black bear is in Sri lanka, LOTS of herp action there including mating Bengal monitors and Green turtles. What can I say, I'm a summer person! Believe me though, I live in Boscombe, and there are much scarier things there than bears!
	Chris

liamrussell Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 100	Post Options Post Reply Quote liamrussell Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2013 at 12:33pm
	Just realised I didn't put the link in my first post (have added it now)... Yes, Boscombe does have some scary wildlife... Sri Lankan photos look great, love the Russell's viper.

ChrisR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Location: Bournemouth Status: Offline Points: 32	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Feb 2013 at 1:35pm
	I would definitely recommend Sri Lanka for a herping holiday for sure. The whole trip cost me less than a grand, real value for money which included 2 safaris in Yala and 2 Whale watching trips which produced 25 Blue whales. The Russell's viper was absolutely stunning and really quite calm. Not in the least bit aggressive. I've had more trouble with Adders!
	Chris