Tags
adder, British reptiles, Common lizard, grass snake, Mary Gillham Archive Project, Parc Slip, Parc Slip Nature Reserve, slow-worm, volunteering, Wildlife Trust, Wildlife Trust for South & West Wales, WTSWW
Partly as a training exercise in wildlife identification, partly as a reward for all our hard work to date, and partly as a fun way for our team to get together, our Mary Gillham Archive Project volunteers were treated to a reptile ramble at Parc Slip Nature Reserve yesterday. And it was fantastic!
Led by friendly and knowledgeable Wildlife Trust officer Lorna, we explored the research and conservation areas where members of the public don’t normally get to wander. With the excitement palpable and a huge sense of anticipation from us onlookers, Lorna used her trusty snake stick to lift up the reptile refugia (sheets of corrugated iron or heavy plastic under which the reptiles frequently shelter) to see what we could find. Though her initial efforts proved unsuccessful, we did eventually get lucky and were very excited to see one very small, young Common lizard (which scuttled away far too quickly for a photo so my lizard photo here is from another day), a Grass snake (which also slithered away far too quickly to photograph), an Adder and 4 Slow-worms. Success! And a great day out, thanks to the conservation efforts of the wonderful folks who work and volunteer at the Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales.
Pingback: Rambling with reptiles | earthstar
What can you say but ‘Wow’! I for one envy you that snake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a wow for me too, Theresa. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Parc Slip do some brilliant educational days. Unfortunately snakes freak me out. We were at Oxwich NNR a couple of weeks ago and I saw far more adders than I would ever care to see again. Within a couple of hours we had three separate sightings and they were too close for comfort. I can look at and admire them if they are behind glass but not when one slithers quickly in front of you. Panic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Parc Slip is great. I wish I lived a little closer. You’re not alone in your snake phobia – a couple of my Facebook friends couldn’t look at this post when I shared the link.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t like it, but I looked….. you are braver than me…..great photos though…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, and good on you for looking! I wanted to get closer but I couldn’t crowd everyone out. 🙂
LikeLike