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Posts by JStroud: |
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JStroud Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 No. of posts: 9  View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 27 Feb 2010
Topic: Adders 2010
Hi! I have been a long time follower and reader, but unfortunately have never posted much on this forum! Hello to the few of you that I know already on here! I thought I would make a quick thread to note down when everyone first starts observing snakes in their area this year. I read on the pinned thread that someone noted one in Dorset on 13 Feb. We had our first successful trip this morning, a rare day of sunshine let us go and have a look at a known hibernation site in an area of upland heath in North Yorkshire. It has been particularly fruitful in recent years, however we nearly always began to visit a little later than this, almost certainly in March. We managed to observe 22 snakes, ranging from yearlings to adult males (the largest of which was confirmed at over 55cm). All were spotted basking individually, with the exception of one group of 4 and one of 5. Air temperature was not measured but was guessed at between 4-6C, however there was continuing brief spells of good sunshine. Unfortunately we only managed to get one photo (of the first male - thinking it may be the only one we see!!) before the battery died! But when they are uploaded and passed on to me I will attach them to this thread. Good luck everyone, the snakes have even woken up up North so they must already be awake and partying down south!! Edit: Photo now included!  Regards, James Stroud |
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JStroud Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 No. of posts: 9 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 28 Feb 2010
Topic: Adders 2010
Thank you very much for the welcome! Hi Peter, no surprise seeing you here mate! Thanks for the welcome! The site is really good, and incredibly rich in adders. When the females begin to emerge I think along the crevice bank stretch, possibly 3-400m, if it was searched completely by a team of people (as oppose to just two of us!) I would not be surprised at all if there is up to 100 snakes there. Will be heading back when and if I can! Regards, James Stroud |
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JStroud Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 No. of posts: 9 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 01 Mar 2010
Topic: Adders 2010
We were lucky with the weather again today, I managed to return to the same site and spot 17 males, but I surveyed a much smaller area and I was on my own! There was still a good thick layer of frost on the opposite north facing banks, and we are still experience night temperatures dropping comfortably below freezing. Here are a few photos:
Regards, James Stroud |
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JStroud Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 No. of posts: 9 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 03 Mar 2010
Topic: Adders 2010
I love that snake from Stroud, it looks absolutely fantastic! Great to see them starting to come out everywhere now!
Regards, James Stroud |
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JStroud Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 No. of posts: 9 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 04 Mar 2010
Topic: Adders 2010
Recorded 31 males at one site this morning, however I was just on my own so possibly far more. Didn't get any air temperature readings but all north facing banks were still covered in frost and any standing pools were iced over. South facing banks were hit with intermittant sunshine for about 3 hours, with all snakes observed during that time Regards, James Stroud |
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JStroud Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 No. of posts: 9 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 09 Mar 2010
Topic: Adders 2010
Hi Tony, I have had trouble reaching you through private messenger on here, I am not sure mine is working correctly. If you could send me a message as soon as you get a chance that would be great! Cheers James Regards, James Stroud |
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JStroud Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 No. of posts: 9 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 12 Mar 2010
Topic: Adders 2010
The males at the same site I was watching have now started to disperse! It seems incredibly early considering some of yours are just emerging! I was out yesterday and only saw 13 (down from 31 a few days ago), with 7 of those in the final stages of sloughing, most looked as if it would happen on the day. However still no females spotted... Has anyone tried infrared thermometer guns to record surface temperatures of their basking adders? I've been having a play around recently at different times of the day... Regards, James Stroud |
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JStroud Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 No. of posts: 9 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 19 Mar 2010
Topic: Adders 2010
First female of the year out for me this morning...  Regards, James Stroud |
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JStroud Member Joined: 22 Jan 2009 No. of posts: 9 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 24 Nov 2010
Topic: Ox-ARG (Oxfordshire)
Does anyone have any contact with this group? I have tried emailing Rod via the contact email address on the website Any help would be great! Regards, James Stroud |
- Posts by JStroud |
