02/05/23

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My first visit to the local patch since 9th April.  The rains since then have inevitably led to lush growth of vegetation.

PV was a disappointment with just the young female Adder being seen again.

TF was better, finding four snakes. One was a resplendent male at the far end, previously seen a couple of times before sloughing. However, a female nearby was probably new for the year. The other two were under refugia, a small sub-adult male that didn't hang around, the other one of the juveniles again.

TF also had nine Slow-worms, all under refugia, including four together.

On the walk back a pair of Bullfinch were found, the male quietly singing from his hidden location.

Next to RCP, starting at RD with two each of Adder and Slow-worm there. The snakes were together under roof felt, the female a very large individual.

A fair amount of habitat management has been carried out at CL, though the southern half has not been done, leaving it to next year I expect. Still no Adders to be found, though five Slow-worms. 

A singing Lesser Whitethroat was nice to hear.

Young female Adder in PV

Male Adder in TF

Probable female Adder

Female Slow-worm

Four Slow-worms together


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