less than optimal adder habitat pix.

I think that is very true, though today we might expect to find adder in Essex on particular substrates including outcrops, on the whole, one can't help asking how they got there in the first place which suggests a much wider range of substrates were used in the past. In Essex at least it is easy to see that clay is associated with arable farming. Largely a case of little or no transitional habitat, it is either a cereal crop or derelict woodland with very little in between in many areas. It's interesting that directly adjacent we have the sea wall, OK an imported substrate but much more importantly in my mind is the miles of open grasslands and no shortage of adder.

Thanks for the replies, sorry to hijack yer post (bag ) Ben. Unfortunately i'm forced to use the popularity of others' posts to get answers to my questions

I live near the East Yorkshire wolds (near York) which comprises of very steep V shaped chalk valleys. Apart from an amazing abundance and variety of wild flowers and insects I'm yet to find any reptiles on such a habitat. I have only found them on the nearby lowland heaths. Has anyone any experience of the area or know of studies which confirm adders / herps in the area ?? Where would be the most likely places be to find any on such a habitat ? On the valley tops ? Bottoms ? Around the gorse bushes ? Sheep graze on the valley sides and the bounderies are fencing rather than stone walls.