Slow-worms in East Yorkshire? (1 Viewer)

[Mike Richardson]

As a reptile fanatic living in East Yorkshire, I only know of a couple of sites that are good for reptiles.
I have recently found a great place where I can combine bird watching with grass snakes. I also live relatively near a forest that contains a large colony of adders, and where common lizards can be found.
The only reptile species that I can not find in my area (obviously excluding Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake) is the Slow-worm.
Anyone know of any sites (in East or North Yorkshire)?

 

[geedub]

Hi Skink,
came across a Slow-worm whilst doing a photo-recce in Langdale Forest a couple of weeks ago, also saw 2 lizards but not being too hot on reptiles I don't know what they were though.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Hi Skink,
came across a Slow-worm whilst doing a photo-recce in Langdale Forest a couple of weeks ago, also saw 2 lizards but not being too hot on reptiles I don't know what they were though.

Thanks for the info Geedub.

I will have to take the girlfriend to Langdale Forest for a picnic!

The two other lizards you saw there were almost certainly Common Lizards (otherwise known as Viviparous Lizard). Apart from Slow-worms, the only other native lizard in the UK is the Sand Lizard. Sand Lizards are rare and are mostly restricted to a few areas in the South.

 

[stevetb]

i just search compost heaps. if i lift my one up with a stick i find at least four of them.
also check under pieces of wood or large branches- always works for me.

 

[Mike Richardson]

i just search compost heaps. if i lift my one up with a stick i find at least four of them.
also check under pieces of wood or large branches- always works for me.

Thanks AC/DC

My parents have a huge compost heap in their garden so I will have to pay them a visit.
Slow-worms seem few and far between in East Yorkshire- I've only seen them in Essex and Devon.

 

[Carless]

I've never seen a reptile in the wild in the UK. (I was born in New Zealand and came here as an adult, but even then I'm rather disappointed at my bad luck). I've read with interest the recommendations for seeing slow-worms, snakes, and lizards, and wondered if anyone had any other tips for spotting reptiles while out.

 

[stevetb]

search through long grass, being careful not to get any ticks on you- there right little buggers to get off. if you know a pond that has frogs in them, check them while there are tadpoles in them. you never know, a grass snake might be lurking there, snapping up the tadpoles. seeing a grass snake swim is brilliant!

 

[Mike Richardson]

I've never seen a reptile in the wild in the UK. (I was born in New Zealand and came here as an adult, but even then I'm rather disappointed at my bad luck). I've read with interest the recommendations for seeing slow-worms, snakes, and lizards, and wondered if anyone had any other tips for spotting reptiles while out.

As a kid growing up around Bridlington (Yorkshire coast) I never seemed to find any reptiles, apart from an odd Adder or Common Lizard at a local forest.

As I got older I realised that reptiles are in fact quite localised in my area and to see them I would have to go certain areas where good populations exist. Obvious point to make I know, but when I moved to Essex (university) I found reptiles much more easier to find, in all sorts of places.

An internet search engine is a good starting point if you want to find reptiles in your local area. Most nature reserves have reptile lists and Grass Snakes especially are found at many wetland bird reserves. Word of mouth is also useful, for example, fishermen often see Grass Snakes while out fishing and hikers might know of any local Adder hotspots.

Another mistake I used to make when reptile hunting is I went out in very hot weather. In my experience, Adders in particular are best observed while basking early on (approx. 9am) before it gets too hot, or on cooler days. Spring is a good time of the year, as is September and early October, as long as the weather is half decent.

When looking for reptiles I find it helps to walk slowly and lightly as to reduce the vibrations made by your feet. With experience you will be able to identify likely reptile basking spots. If you happen to disturb an Adder from a basking spot all is not lost. Returning to the same area 15 minutes later often results in the same snake basking again.

Finally, as mentioned by other people above, reptiles (especially Slow-worms and Common Lizards) can often be found under compost heaps, logs and rubbish. Corrugated iron is especially good and I even knew of a lizard that lived under a burnt out car!

Hope this helps. Sorry I've gone on a bit!

PS. If you want to know of some reptile sites in Essex or East Yorkshire PM me.