One of my garden snakes

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   This lovely young female hunting around the pond today. Had to catch her for photo. We see quite a few but usually brief glimpses. But it is lovely to see them.

Chris

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Iowarth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 740	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iowarth Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: One of my garden snakes Posted: 12 Jul 2013 at 3:52pm
	This lovely young female hunting around the pond today. Had to catch her for photo. We see quite a few but usually brief glimpses. But it is lovely to see them. Chris
	Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)

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: 1438	Post Options Post Reply Quote Suzy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 1:25pm
	Saw my first garden grassie of this year at noon today. It was under one of my Coroline covers near to the compost bins. I have been trying to make the garden more snake friendly over the past few years and the compost bin the grass snakes went in last year (corrugated iron sides) has been filled with green garden rubbish in the hopes of it being attractive for egg-laying.
	Suz

will Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830	Post Options Post Reply Quote will Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 3:26pm
	fingers crossed Suzy!

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: 16 Jul 2013 at 5:32pm
	lucky things!!! tim

will Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830	Post Options Post Reply Quote will Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 6:45pm
	...just what I was thinking, Tim. There's not much chance of grass snakes in my garden, although I did find this one about half a mile away at a common lizard site which I have been monitoring for the last twelve years and never seen a grassy there before (no idea how it could have go there - it's nowhere near any waterbodies!) so maybe there's hope after all..

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: 1438	Post Options Post Reply Quote Suzy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jul 2013 at 11:46pm
	Will, two years ago my brother and I saw a grass snake on a small heath that we've known for 40 years. Never seen one there before and wouldn't expect to as there is no water anywhere nearby. It was on the summit of flat topped hill/plateau. Nice to be surprised like that!
	Suz

will Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830	Post Options Post Reply Quote will Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 8:14am
	Absolutely - hats off to an animal which can turn up like that, and which lacks wings or even legs to make these seemingly puzzling journeys!

daveg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 52	Post Options Post Reply Quote daveg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2013 at 4:40pm
	Nice picture Will. What time of the day and temperature was the snake out and about? It must be rare to find grass snakes away from water when day time temperatures are up to 30 deg c.

will Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830	Post Options Post Reply Quote will Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2013 at 6:05pm
	Hi Dave - I saw the snake about a fortnight ago, just before the real heat started to kick in, so around 20degC at about 6pm; I should have made that clearer, sorry!

daveg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 52	Post Options Post Reply Quote daveg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2013 at 7:48pm
	Thanks Will, I live in North Dorset and am always on the lookout for grass snakes. Havent seen any live ones recently but know they must be around from several squashed dor examples. I think compost heaps near farms are probably the best bet otherwise we have 3 small rivers running through our town (Gillingham) that look like great habitat. Now its cooling off a bit 27 deg C at 19:45! I will go for a cycle and see what I can find.