Bredhurst Field Day (14/4/07)


The weather was sunny and about 25 combined KRAG and BWAG members plus a dog turned up for the Bredhurst event. Vanessa Jones did great job enthusing local support.

I think the final reptile tally for day was six adders seen, of which five were definite or probable males, plus viviparous lizard and slow-worm.

The group set off just after 9.30 along the track into Day Valley and searched the tussocky chalk grassland on a bank North of the track. Two adders and a viviparous lizard were found basking quite quickly in this area but did not hang around long for everyone to view.




We took a track through the woodland to Arran Bank Farm hoping to find more reptiles (especially black adders), but only a very lethargic slow-worm could be found, which was seen by most people.

The group then headed back through the Hurst towards Strawberry Banks taking a refreshment break in a clearing recently felled and coppiced by BWAG to improve wildlife diversity. The walk through Strawberry banks was fairly uneventful as the grass was short and not so reptile friendly.




We continued our circular route back to the southern end of Day Valley for a final search. Just after midday and close to finishing, two adult male adders were spotted in combat just South of the main track and the other side of some mesh fencing in marginal habitat. They were so engrossed in their struggles that they were largely oblivious to around twenty people now watching them! The mesh fence proved a bit of hindrance for the keen photographers!!







Martin and Sophie Hendy later found a female nearby after most of the group had moved on. One more male adder was later found in the valley.







It was now around 20 deg C and and time to head back to the village hall and finish. A few KRAG members then took a quick visit to nearby Queensdown Warren which turned up an immature adder and a viviparous lizard. It was now about 2.30 pm, very warm and time for us all to depart.

Kevin Johnson

Posted: Sun - April 22, 2007 at 10:02 am        

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