I don't update this blog very often now, but you can browse all the past entries at the bottom of this page and look through my entire collection of wildlife videos at https://youtube.com/c/bobthebirder
Swineham, Wareham
Tuesday March 8th 2022
This is the time of year that Adders come out of hibernation and get ready to reproduce. They use sunny days to warm up and accelerate their development, so it is important that they are not disturbed but are allowed to absorb as much heat as possible.
On Portland near Grove Point there is a site that has been very reliable for adders for over 30 years. Five years ago I filmed this large male sneaking away from me, as adders tend to do.
In August 2012 I managed to get a much better video at Thorncombe Woods.
That one was actually a very small male, it just looked big in the video.
Females are larger and browner, like this captive one at the British Wildlife Centre in Surrey.
As well as being smaller most male adders are more strikingly marked in black and grey,
like one at the British Wildlife Centre again.