Reptile weather...

In the space of a week our weather has changed dramatically. Seven days ago the temperature was hovering around 8 deg. Then, two days ago a sudden burst of warmth from the south saw those temperatures rise by 18 deg! Hoping for some migrant birds (and confident of seeing some reptiles), Dave Helliar joined me for an early morning visit to Dorset.

Dorset's sandy heaths rarely disappoint and it didn't take long for us to hear our first singing Dartford Warbler, closely followed by a singing Woodlark, a sound I never tire of hearing. As the temperature started to climb it was time to start keeping our eyes open for lizards. Common Lizard Zootoca vivipara was the first to be spotted then a handsome Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis basking on the edge of the heath.

Masters of camouflage, a male Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis blending almost
perfectly with the moss and dead bracken around it.

A slightly brighter individual later that morning but the
overcast conditions didn't show it at its best.

What took us both by surprise was a young male Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca in an area we hadn't observed them before. Smooth Snakes generally stay still when discovered, hoping their camouflage will help them blend into the heath around them.

Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca, male

Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca, male

Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca, male

Our attention was then drawn to our first singing Tree Pipits of the year and a Cuckoo close by but frustratingly just out of sight. Flipping a tin we found 8 or 9 Slow Worms Anguis fragilis and suddenly the challenge of being able to see all the native British reptiles in a day was becoming a real possibility.

Slow Worm Anguis fragilis

Sadly it wasn't to be and despite extensive searching in suitable habitat we couldn't locate either Grass Snake Natrix helvetica or more worryingly, Adder Vipera berus - they are very difficult to see now. We did see a stonking male Yellowhammer feeding (and singing) on the ground as we returned to the car but as the clouds rolled in around midday the best of the viewing drew to a close.

Yellowhammer, male

Yellowhammer, male