Thamnophis UK meeting 2008

[jeanette]

I've decided... I can't wait until the end of June.
All these field herping pics from our US members are making me jealous, so at the end of next week I'm going Adder hunting! (Vipera berus)
I'm going to camp rough somewhere in the Welsh wilderness for a few days, and see what I can catch on camera.
Mrs. Adamanteus and Molly are going to stay with friends for a week anyway, I have the time because I'm still 'between jobs'.... so... off I go.... wish me luck.... or join me?

oh my i wanna go adder hunting. they are our oly venomous snake and they are so pretty and sightings of them seem to be getting fewer and far between. im so glad theres now more protection in place around their breeding grounds.

[adamanteus]

oh my i wanna go adder hunting.

You're more than welcome to join me!

[jeanette]

You're more than welcome to join me!

lol sounds like something i would love if i can ever find the time to escape the family lol.
just found out that there was a Adder breeding site on beetley common, dereham in Norfolk. im gonna get up there and find out if it is still there in the next month or 2. apparantly theres been a lot of building in the area and some green land has gone in favour of houses. hope they havent destroyed it, it so needs to be preserved.

[adamanteus]

You don't need to travel quite so far, Jeanette. Adders are still pretty common up here in the north. Various parts of North Wales, especially Angelsey are real Adder hot-spots.

[jeanette]

You don't need to travel quite so far, Jeanette. Adders are still pretty common up here in the north. Various parts of North Wales, especially Angelsey are real Adder hot-spots.

Are they being protected in wales?
I want to take all the kids to see them in the wild when the kids get older and i was told that Adders are not being protected everywhere, just in areas that are already conservation sites.

[adamanteus]

As far as I'm aware, outside of nature conservation areas, only the Smooth Snake and the Sand Lizard have any real protection in the UK. But my information may be outdated.

[jeanette]

As far as I'm aware, outside of nature conservation areas, only the Smooth Snake and the Sand Lizard have any real protection in the UK. But my information may be outdated.

its definately well worth finding out about that i think.
it would be typical of this country to lose yet another species because of limited protection for it.

[adamanteus]

Here's a quote from the MKA Ecology website, I'm pretty sure this is the current legal status.


All six terrestrial British reptile species are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended. The level of protection however depends upon the species. The common lizard, slow worm, adder and grass snake are all partly protected so that it is an offence to kill, injure, or sell these animals. The smooth snake and sand lizard, Britains rarest reptiles, are fully protected thus also making it an offence to take or possess, intentionally or recklessly to disturb or destroy an occupied place of shelter. In addition, the Sand Lizard, and Smooth Snake are also given protection under the Habitats Directive (1994), where they are listed as European protected species in Schedule 2. Sand Lizards are also designated a specific UK Biodiversity Action Plan(UK BAP), ( a government response to the Rio summit (1992) where member states are committed to applying Species Action Plans.)(www.ukbap.org.uk.)

So, you can 'disturb', take or posses Adders as much as you like.... but you can't sell 'em!

[jeanette]

Thats crazy James, i cant believe they havent updated this law. although getting my hands on an Adder wouldnt be a bad thing. ive wanted to get a close look at one and study it for a few weeks. Always thought it was illegal to catch them though, it was tempting to catch one and then let it go once i'd learnt what i could about it.

[adamanteus]

I know. The law is an a$$.
Adders are interesting, but very difficult to keep in captivity. The just won't eat.
From my Welsh trip I will be bringing back only photographs and memories.