A windy day, though with a good amount of sunshine. The wind was very noticeable on the first walk along PV, keeping the temperature down, and there was no sign of any Adders. However, two male Slow-worm were laying out.
The first Adder was found in DV, a pre-slough male, also one Slow-worm there. A singing Marsh Tit was nice to see and hear, plus a brief flight view of Bullfinch near the stile.
In TF a further seven Slow-worm were found, including several females. Adders were more visible in this area, with a total of six. These included three juveniles in the same spot as previously seen on 25th March, so probably the same individuals. They appear quite small, raising the question of whether they were born last autumn or maybe even this year? There was one adult female Adder plus two post-slough males at the far end, both looking resplendent. However, all the adults were quite skittish as they can quite easily see your approach due to the lay of the land.
I walked back through PV and it had warmed up with more sunshine. Hence, it was no surprise to find an Adder this time, a melanistic female no less, and possibly the individual seen poorly on the last visit. She seemed to be a good size, though length is always difficult to judge when the snakes are coiled up. I noticed that the tip of the tail looked abnormal, and perhaps shows an earlier injury from a predator.
Also seen in PV another three Slow-worms, making the total 13 for the day, with eight Adders.
A single butterfly was seen, a Peacock in PV.
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| Male Slow-worm PV |
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| Male Slow-worm PV, showing battle scars |
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| Pre-slough male Adder DV |
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Pre-slough male Adder DV
Two Slow-worms TF
Juvenile Adders TF |
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| Female Adder |
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| Female Adder |
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| Post-slough male Adder |
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| Post-slough male Adder |
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| Cowslip coming into flower |
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| Melanistic female Adder PV |
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| Tail shape of female Adder |
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| Peacock |
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| Male Slow-worm PV |
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