Adder Emergence

[JonathanD]

I’m slightly late in posting this. But can everyone who sees their first adder of the season post the date, time, habitat and location in this thread. I‘d be most grateful.

 

[Silverclaws2]

In the seventeen years I have lived in the southwest I have only ever seen three of the things, all of them on or close to the SW coast path. Note that I ever managed to get much of a look as they're shy and fast.

 

[JonathanD]

You have to creep up really slowly, put your knife down beside them for scale, then quickly take a picture before they notice.

 

[TLM]

You have to creep up really slowly. put you knife down beside them for scale, then quickly take a picture before they notice.

I agree creep slowly, actually the thing to avoid is ground vibration I have't noticed that they are very shy of movement. The second part is trickier, I don't think anybody's reflexes are fast enough if the snake does not agree with the knife unless you are a mongoose or Brazilian terrier.

 

[Wander]

We get a lot around here.
Whenever I see them I always report the sighting to the local Reptile and Amphibian Group. But I'll also post here when I see one.
We had a snap of warm weather a couple of weeks ago and I had a look then, but no sign (fortunately, because it went cold again). I tend to see common lizards before the snakes and use them as a barometer.
I'll be out and about at the weekend so I'll have a nosey then.

 

[santaman2000]

You have to creep up really slowly, put your knife down beside them for scale, then quickly take a picture before they notice.

This photo begs the question: does it show how small the snake is, or how huge the knife is?

 

[Billy-o]

Cute snake!

I like that knife you've had done there. Seen it around a few times over the years. The (oiled?) bone is really nice. Only just figured out the hump on the back of the blade ... Thought it was a frivolity at first, but clearly not once you get your eye in.

 

[JonathanD]

This photo begs the question: does it show how small the snake is, or how huge the knife is?

Not as big as this one...

 

[JonathanD]

Cute snake!

I like that knife you've had done there. Seen it around a few times over the years. The (oiled?) bone is really nice. Only just figured out the hump on the back of the blade ... Thought it was a frivolity at first, but clearly not once you get your eye in.

That one is stag. I’m using giraffe bone now.

 

[Wander]

Out for a walk earlier today and saw my first adders of the season - three of them:

Common lizards are active as well.
Yet to see a slow worm or grass snake.