Monday 10th March 2014 - Wyre Forest

Today I made a return to the Wyre to take another look at it's reptilian inhabitants.  I arrived at Dry Mill Lane around 11am  and walked along the disused towards the coppice.  Along the railway line a pair of Grey Wagtails were flitting about and occasionally perching up on the low branches of the adjacent trees. I enjoyed watching these for a while until they took off and headed down the embankment towards Dowles Brook.

At  the coppice I soon picked up on 'Stumpy', the ♂ Common Lizard without a tail that I saw the previous week in the same area.  This time he was sitting out on the wooden tree stump basking in the sun.

Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara ) - 10th March 2014

Some way along the same ride I picked up on my 1st  Adder of the day in an area where I haven't previously observed one.  This wasn't the most photogenic of Adders due to it's position half under the bracken but I took a few record shots all the same.

Adder (Vipera berus) - 10th March 2014

Also basking on the bracken along this stretch was a rather stunning Small Tortoiseshell butterfly.  I've got to say it's good to see a few flutters now on the wing!

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) - 10th March 2014















A bit further along on my walk I was lucky enough to find a Slow Worm half hidden under some vegetation, my first of the year.  Again not the most photogenic but needless to say record shots ensued.  Personally I think that Slow Worms are always nicer to see when they are basking in the open than under a tin or roof felt sheet.

Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis) - 10th March 2014

On completing this part of my walk I bumped into fellow wildlife blogger Mark P (http://doorstepbirding.blogspot.co.uk/) and local wildlife artist/illustrator Matt L (http://www.matthewlissimore.com/), needless to say much wildlife nattering ensued.  After a while Mark had to scoot but Matt and I went back to see the Slow Worm and then on to another spot in the forest where a number of Adders had been seen basking.  We were in luck and 5♂ Adders were showing and, by keeping a respectable distance and not disturbing them with our vibrations from walking around, we were able to get some great views and nice photos.  It was a real privilege to see these majestic creatures in all there glory!

Adders (Vipera berus) - 10th March 2014