A pilgrimage for mind, body and soul # 1 ..

Hazleton Common - first spring visit

Some early spring action captured at Hazleton Common during a Lockdown "STAY LOCAL" walk and exercise. It's great to have such natural beauties inhabiting a site that is within a brisk walk of home.

Adder (Vipera berus)

Common lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

Palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Also seen brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), peacock (Aglais io), 7-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).

As spring progresses ..

.. "The sound of hoof beats 'cross the glade, Good folk, lock up your son and daughter. Beware the deadly flashing blade, unless you want to end up shorter."

Lyrics above ^^ from BBC Blackadder S1 eps 1-5 .. 'nuff said.

First time out this year to see these little beauties ..

More reptiles on the chalk

Another survey on chalk grassland in West Sussex managed to record six adder (Vipera berus) and four common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) - the latter resolutely refusing to hang about for a photograph. I am still outstanding my first slow worm (Anguis fragilis) of the year on site?

five of the six adder recorded

First reptile survey of the year

Sunday's successful reptile hunt at Hazleton Common - motivated me to get out mid-week in suitable conditions, to carry out the first reptile survey of the season on a small chalk grassland site, in West Sussex.

In keeping with the last couple of years survey effort - the first Adder (Vipera berus), a male was recorded close to the suspected hibernacula. Itis already starting it's spring shedding. I will try to remember to check again next week to see if I can find the slough? A second male was also noted basking on the edge of a scrub block in the middle of the grassland.

Reptiles on the West Sussex chalk

Returning to a favorite chalk grassland site in West Sussex to survey the local reptile population, I was rewarded with the finding of an adder (Vipera berus) slough - just a few inches away from the spanking bright and shiny male adder from which it had recently sloughed. I was later able to collect the skin, to add to my cabinet of curiosities.

adder

slow worm (Anguis fragilis)

common lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

common lizard

adder

adder - recently sloughed

adder slough

adder slough - collected

Hazleton Common

Vipera berus and Anguis fragilis

Vipera berus

Vipera berus

Anguis fragilis

Lissotriton helveticus

Andrena (Adrena) clarkella

Polygonia c-album