COUNTRYSIDE & FARMING
30 Years of
Looking Forward
Contributed Photo: Slow Worm
snake native to Britain but will only
use their venom as a last means of
defence. No-one has died from an
adder bite in Britain for over twenty
years, the worst effects are usually
nausea and drowsiness, followed
by swelling and bruising around the
bitten area.
Because of my work I have come
across large numbers of adders
sunbathing in the middle of the
morning, before it gets too hot.
More than a dozen adders within a
few square meters is not uncommon.
They are easily recognised by the
zig-zag pattern running from head
to tail and appear in a multitude of
colours and shades. Males tend to
be grey or creamy white with a dark
grey background. Females being
a more colourful; yellow, brown,
orange, even red, with a grey to
black background. ‘Melanistic’ or all
black adders are not uncommon.
They emerge from hibernation
dens in early spring bathing
themselves in warm sheltered
sunny spots.
Mating takes place in April and
May with male adders often fighting
each other before pairing off with a
female.
Grass snakes will choose a warm
site, usually a compost heap or
under rotting logs and lay between
8-40 eggs in July-August, depending
on her size. The young hatching a
month later.
Adders only reproduce every other
year giving birth to between 5-20
young in late August. The young
remain close to their mother for the
first few days, before going off in
search of food.
- life
Remember snakes are timid
and when they detect people will
normally seek cover.
Snake Notes
1. Adder and Grass snakes can live
for up to 20 years,
2. Snakes are not aggressive and
will only attack if harassed or
threatened.
3. You are most likely to see snakes
on warm, sunny days. On hot days
they will be more active, and quicker
to flee.
4. Snakes hibernate
October and March.
between
5. To attract grass snakes to your
garden try creating a wildlife area
with long grass. Leave piles of logs
and stone around in sheltered but
sunny spots. Water is the grass
snakes favourite hunting spot.
[email protected]
Island Life - www.isleofwight.net
Thirty years ago the Isle of
Wight Association of National
Trust Members was started.
Eric Sieler, retired Chartered
Surveyor, a member of the
Steering Committee in 1976, also
a past Chairman of the Isle of
Wight Committee, received the
outstanding Voluntary Service
Award from the National Trust
last November and still remains an
Association member.
He has collected thousands of
pounds for the Trust by giving
illustrated talks and the local
Association has given and continues
to donate funds, as well as raising
the profile of the National Trust.
In the last two years £1000 has
been given to the Needles Old
Battery, £750 to Mottistone Garden
for a trailer and digital camera and
£300 has just been sent to Shalfleet
Primary School for a specific project
to enable the pupils to undertake
fieldwork at Newtown Reserve.
Donations were also given to Sea
‘Britain and £500 each to Tyntsfield
and Dyrham Parkon on the
mainland.
When questioned about joining
the trust on the island, the answer
is frequently that there are no large
properties and it is expensive to
go to the mainland. However,
members, islanders and visitors
are often unaware of the amount of
land the National Trust manages on
the island, to which the public have
free access and take very much for
granted.
This all costs a great deal of money,
so any support from a group such
as ours, which is affiliated to the
National Trust is much appreciated.
The Association also helps people
make the most of their subscription
by providing a programme, which
includes mainland day trips and
holidays usually to National Trust
properties as well as talks and
social events. Members can also be
asked to volunteer to help at various
events and all these activities are
enjoyable and new members made
most welcome. Contact Honorary
Secretary
Anne Carman:
01983 731416 or email:
[email protected]
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