6
AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE NOTES FOR 1997
May I thank members who have sent me records during the past year. It is encouraging to
have received new records of the Common lizard (Lacerta vivipara). This reptile has
suffered badly as a result of road verge mowing because it often occurs in areas of
undisturbed rough grassland. The lizard loves to bask on walls, fence-posts, logs, etc. and is
so well camouflaged that it often goes un-noticed. The Common lizard occurs throughout
the county but in the northern arable areas is confined to isolated pockets of suitable habitat
such as churchyards, railway embankments, and areas of rank grassland exposed to the sun.
In south Essex Epping Forest, the various Wildlife Trust reserves, and the sea wall areas
provide ideal habitats.
I receive very few records of the Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis), as this animal is seldom
seen basking in the sun as the Common lizard does. They also frequent rough grassland and
can sometimes be found under sheets of tin or wood where they are attracted by the warmth
of the sun. In gardens Slow Worms love to lie just below the surface of well-rotted
compost heaps where they enjoy the warmth of the decomposition as well as that of the sun.
As regards the snakes, only one Adder (Vipera berus) record in 1997 for Weeley, where it
was observed on the railway embankment. This shy reptile likes grassy places, the sea wall
is good as well as some of the Wildlife Trust reserves. Grass snake (Natrix natrix) records
come from Epping Forest, the Frating area, Tolleshunt DArcy and Fingringhoe. I also
found a young male at Herongate where I was called to help as the snake was alarming
residents. This Grass snake had taken up residence behind a step into the lounge of the
house adjacent to a patio and near a small pond full of young fish, an ideal habitat with a
good food source. Unfortunately, the occupants were not nature lovers and were alarmed
by the hissing of this snake as they crossed the step into the house. As requested I removed
the creature from the cavity behind the step with the aid of a wire hook and relocated it to a
safe haven.
On the amphibian scene alien frog records are growing in number. These are likely to be
either the Pool frog (Rana lessonae) or the Marsh frog (Rana ridibunda) the later is
recorded from Hadleigh Country Park. Both are noisy frogs, the males having external
vocal sacs and can be heard calling loudly during their breeding season in April and early
May. They love to bask in the sun at the water's edge and leap into the pond when disturbed.
I would welcome records of amphibians and reptiles and am pleased to visit where
identification is a problem. I look forward to hearing from Club members next Spring and
Summer with their observations.
David Scott, Court Hill, Church Lane, Little Leighs, Chelmsford, CM3 1PG
Tel: (01245) 361475 Fax: (01245) 362409
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEWSLETTER
Please send contributions for the next Newsletter, due out in May, to the Editor,
Mr Peter Harvey, 32 Lodge Lane, Grays, RM16 2YP by the end of March at the latest.
Deadline dates for the Newsletter each year
January/February Newsletter: deadline - end of December
April/May Newsletter: deadline - end of March
August/September Newsletter: deadline - end of July
October/November Newsletter: deadline - end of September
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 24, February 1998