Adder, February the 16th.

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Palmer

Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Palmer »

We took the new addition of the family for a walk on the moors today and I saw my first Adder of the year… it was sunning itself on a south facing embankment. :D

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Image
dino

Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by dino »

Great pics icon_thumright
Conifers
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Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Conifers »

Incredibly early! They don't usually appear until late April or May up here.
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Dave Brown
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Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Dave Brown »

Never seen a wild Adder.
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Tom2006
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Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Tom2006 »

Amazing, especially this time of year!! Love your dog as well.

Where abouts were you as would love to have a walk to try and see one with the kids.
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Conifers
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Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Conifers »

Here's another - Cheviot Hills, 7 May (2008)
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Palmer

Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Palmer »

Lovely looking male Adder Conifers icon_thumleft
Tom you don’t live far from me so we should hook up this summer and I will show you some Adders, I can take you to a very good site near Doncaster icon_thumright
I took the pic on the North Yorkshire Moors today... but I don’t give out exact site locations over the net for obvious reasons.
I’ll post some more pics of Adders tomorrow :)
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Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Dave Brown »

My father used to see loads of Adders around the local area, and said you had to be careful where you trod, if off paths, and I used to see loads of Lizards, but most of the habitat they like is now under tarmac or houses. :roll:
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Palmer

Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Palmer »

Habitat loss was a big problem in the past but now people are more conservation conscious it’s not as big an issue as it used to be…. a problem for the adders now is because of all the loss of habitat in the past many Adder populations have now become isolated so inbreeding then becomes a big threat to them.
I visit two sites with small isolated populations of Adders and I have transferred young from one site to another to try stop inbreeding from occurring, I’ve only transferred young though adults don’t respond well to being relocated.
Luckily the NY moors has healthy populations of Adders because it’s such a vast area of moorland.

A young juvenile Adder
Image

A male in breeding colours
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A black Adder
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Black Adders are rare in the UK but oddly very common in Norway and Germany.
Tom2006
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Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Tom2006 »

I'd definitely be up for that in summer. my youngsters would love to see one as well such beautiful creatures!
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Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Conifers »

Another pic of mine, after I chivvied it off the road (where it was sunbathing, but at very high risk of being run over :cry: ) into the streamside grass
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Palmer

Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Palmer »

No probs Tom it will be my pleasure :)
I’ve tried to post some more pic’s but image size is to big so I will sort that out tomorrow.
Darlo Mark

Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Darlo Mark »

Palmer , conifers I'm sure you know what you are doing.

But be careful with young kids and /or dogs as a bite can be serious.

I work with a guy in county Durham who showed me loads last year- it was amazing. They are very shy and will slither away rather than confront. Most bites are by accident when they are trodden on.

Excellent pics.
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Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by Dave Brown »

Palmer wrote:Habitat loss was a big problem in the past but now people are more conservation conscious it’s not as big an issue as it used to be….
Unfortunately, being next to London which is constrained, we are always subject to planning applications even over the SSSIs and RAMSAR sites on the North Kent Marshes. I am told this is one of the rarest environments in the world, but under the 'Thames Gateway' plans 160,000 houses would be built as the London overspill. :roll:
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derrick

Re: Adder, February the 16th.

Post by derrick »

Some great pictures i use to catch them as a boy with a stick in the new forest The females more brown tan red in colour males grey with zigzag and ruby eyes .Most will strike and try bite you only if you get close . I did see one last summer at canford heath poole .This time of the year can be docile with cold weather only active if sunny .
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