Are there adders in Lancashire? (1 Viewer)

D

dampflippers

Well-known member

• Aug 22, 2007

• #1

We were on holiday recently along the Rochdale canal. We went on a walk up from Walsden onto a moor with reservoirs, and down towards Summit, and I remarked that we should look out for snakes/ adders.
I was told that there were no adders there.
Is this right? Would there have been other snakes?
(Family pride at stake here! lol)

 

Sandra (Taylor)

Well-known member

• Aug 22, 2007

• #2

I live in Walsden but never seen a snake of any kind in the surrounding hills. Will try and find out and come back to you - but probably someone else will.

Sandra

 

Mike Richardson

Formerly known as Skink1978

• Aug 22, 2007

• #3

As far as I know there are Adders in Lancs, although I'm not sure if they are found around Walsden. They certainly are found on moorland and thrive in areas such as the North Yorkshire Moors, so I see no reason why not.

Adders are the only snake species likely to be found in the area, along with Common Lizard and Slow-worms.

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Aug 22, 2007

• #4

As Mike says there are Adders in parts of upland Lancs but I don't know about that area (is it in Greater Manchester?).

Stephen.

 

rozinante

Anarchism is order

• Aug 22, 2007

• #5

skink1978 said:

As far as I know there are Adders in Lancs, although I'm not sure if they are found around Walsden. They certainly are found on moorland and thrive in areas such as the North Yorkshire Moors, so I see no reason why not.

Adders are the only snake species likely to be found in the area, along with Common Lizard and Slow-worms.

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The only adders in Lancs I have heard of have been in Bowland. Not impossible that they could be around Walsden though, plenty of apparently suitable habitat. I think you would need to contact a local group to confirm.

Mike...Is that confirmed that there are no grass snakes left in Lancs then? I remember hearing about there being doubts that any were left.

 

D

dampflippers

Well-known member

• Aug 23, 2007

• #6

Thanks for the replies.
I wasn't in charge of the map....but I suppose it would be the start of the pennines, west of Halifax, north of Littlebrough.

 

Capercaillie71

Well-known member

• Aug 23, 2007

• #7

According to this distribution map, it seems likely that Adders can be found in any suitable habitat in Lancashire:

http://www.crislis.co.uk/adder/map5.php


This map came from the following website. Green=recent sightings, Red=historical sightings

http://www.adder.org.uk/

 

Last edited: Aug 23, 2007

Sandra (Taylor)

Well-known member

• Aug 23, 2007

• #8

Wash your mouth out with soap Stephen. Walsden is in West Yorkshire (only just) but you're soon in Lancashire when on the hill tops.

Interesting thread - never thought about snakes here before. I'm going to try the Wildlife in Rochdale site and see if there's any mention. The Calderdale web site usually focuses on the other side of the county.

Sandra

 

Sandra (Taylor)

Well-known member

• Aug 23, 2007

• #9

Try this link - a map shows where you will have walked. But at a quick glance I can't come up with snakes.

Sandra

http://www.wildlifeofrochdale.co.uk/thissiterecording.htm

 

Craig H

Well-known member

• Aug 23, 2007

• #10

Check the web site below - you can search for all sorts of species but it isnt very specific for locations. Some are only at the 10km square level.

http://www.searchnbn.net/

 

Mike Richardson

Formerly known as Skink1978

• Aug 23, 2007

• #11

rozinante said:

Mike...Is that confirmed that there are no grass snakes left in Lancs then? I remember hearing about there being doubts that any were left.

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I wouldn't stake my life on there been no Grass Snakes in Lancs, although I don't know of any sites myself.

Grass Snakes seem to be quite scarce in the North, in fact I only know of a couple of reliable sites in East Yorks.

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• Aug 24, 2007

• #12

Personally I would assume there are Adders in any suitable upland habitat in mainland Great Britain, there are no climatological reasons not and little persecution by humans at altitude.

John

 

rozinante

Anarchism is order

• Aug 24, 2007

• #13

Farnboro John said:

Personally I would assume there are Adders in any suitable upland habitat in mainland Great Britain, there are no climatological reasons not and little persecution by humans at altitude.

John

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I have always thought that too John. As you suggest, no apparent reason why not.

I was aware that they where not as common as in more southerly areas but I have recently been surprised to realise how few sighting seem to be reported.
The lack of grass snakes in Lancashire has particularly surprised me. As you say, I wouldn't expect any great persecution. (Are they deemed a "pest" on shooting moors? I suspect they would take their fair share of eggs.) It would be interesting to see some historical records.