Agri Vehicles Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: Adders?  (Read 6739 times)

ramon

  • Joined Feb 2014
Adders?
« on: March 02, 2016, 11:02:49 pm »
I was reading another post about a sheep with a swollen head This reminded me of similar symptoms I'd seen very occasionally when younger and which were attributed to adder bites. 30 years ago adders were common and seen quite frequently. What has happened to adder populations? I am now living more or less in the same area I did 30 years ago but the adders seem to have gone. Does anyone live in areas where adders are still thriving?

Steph Hen

  • Joined Jul 2013
  • Angus Scotland.
Re: Adders?
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2016, 07:25:16 am »
They mostly like lowland heathland, although  can live in bogstandard farmland, they are not meant to be as happy in short, grazed grassland and arable land if largely not suitable. Heather and bracken is where they do best today, but they can live elsewhere and certainly if there's a good population in an area of heathland, it will export some animals onto surrounding areas.

MAK

  • Joined Nov 2011
  • Middle ish of France
    • Cadeaux de La forge
Re: Adders?
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2016, 08:11:13 am »
Yes- i have seen a few on the verges of an overgrown area near a barn and one that was making its way across the lane lunged out to bit the front of my car. We keep the grandchildren away from the area as we are reluctant to destroy their habitat.
We have other snakes that seem to live between the cracks of a south facing barn wall in the same area. Shame they don't venture across 20 feet of grass to eat the mice that enjoy my veg plot though.
www.cadeauxdelaforge.fr
Gifts and crafts made by us.

Marches Farmer

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Herefordshire
Re: Adders?
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2016, 09:04:58 am »
We have them on the farm, where they live in the dry banks under an ancient hedge and probably eat many bank voles.  They've disappeared from the neighbouring commonland due to predation by buzzards.

Buttermilk

  • Joined Jul 2014
Re: Adders?
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2016, 09:21:00 am »
They are about on common land not far from here.  The neighbour had them in her compost bins last year.

Hellybee

  • Joined Feb 2010
    • www.blaengwawrponies.co.uk
Re: Adders?
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2016, 09:22:25 am »
Had a filly bit on the head years ago, she's still here, none the worse for wear.  West Wales.

ramon

  • Joined Feb 2014
Re: Adders?
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2016, 09:36:06 am »
Buzzards could be the problem. 30 years ago they were not very common but now they are found everywhere, as are red kites. Land use hasn't changed much so their (adder) habitat still remains. Adder bites were rare do I do remember a cat that also got bitten. The cat survived as did the sheep.

harmony

  • Joined Feb 2012
Re: Adders?
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2016, 09:38:09 am »
We have adders on our commons. I see them every year but only now and again.

SallyintNorth

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • Cornwall
  • Rarely short of an opinion but I mean well
    • Trelay Cohousing Community
Re: Adders?
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2016, 10:01:07 am »
They are about on common land not far from here.  The neighbour had them in her compost bins last year.

I've heard of - and seen - grass snakes in compost; they like the warmth to lay their eggs in.  But I've not heard of adders in compost before.  :o
Don't listen to the money men - they know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Live in a cohousing community with small farm for our own use.  Dairy cows (rearing their own calves for beef), pigs, sheep for meat and fleece, ducks and hens for eggs, veg and fruit growing

Bramblecot

  • Joined Jul 2008
Re: Adders?
« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2016, 05:08:05 pm »
Very common round here especially on the cliffs and golf course.  Signs up warning folk to keep their dogs out of the long grass but dogs are regularly bitten in the summer and the local vets always keep a stock of antidote.  A neighbour looked up from reading her book to find one under her sun lounger :o

MAK

  • Joined Nov 2011
  • Middle ish of France
    • Cadeaux de La forge
Re: Adders?
« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2016, 06:46:07 pm »
Could future posts tell us where is here?  :excited:  Please.
www.cadeauxdelaforge.fr
Gifts and crafts made by us.

harmony

  • Joined Feb 2012
Re: Adders?
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2016, 07:18:52 pm »
We have adders on our commons. I see them every year but only now and again.


Here is the Lake District   :wave:

 

Forum sponsors

FibreHut Energy Helpline Thomson & Morgan Time for Paws Scottish Smallholder & Grower Festival Ark Farm Livestock Movement Service

© The Accidental Smallholder Ltd 2003-2024. All rights reserved.

Design by Furness Internet

Site developed by Champion IS