Addled Again!

A lunchtime TOIL visit (for working late this evening) to a nearby wood and heath was warranted on this very sunny and warm spring day with temperatures rising to 15C.

Eventually reaching the Southern section of the woods, having heard 2 Chiff- Chaffs and noted 3 Peacock, 2 Comma & 1 Red Admiral butterflies fling around, I walked along the sandy path bordering the river and near the southern most red marked post on the west side at the base of a small birch tree, I saw an excellent young Adder at 12.20pm but it all too quickly slithered down below the bracken and out of sight. I still desperately want to get some pictures of Adders, though!

Further along, with a path leading west, an excellent Grass Snake at 12.30pm lounged on the left hand side of the path right out in the open. Compared with the Adder, this Snake was positively relaxed as it posed very nicely for photo's, even those taken just 10 inches away. A kamikaze Groundhopper (thanks to Nick B for the ID) perched on its body dicing with death, but was left alone by the Snake (although as NB points out the Snake is probably much more interested in larger prey items such as frogs etc) during the 25 minute period of observation. A Ladybird also crawled over its body too.

Especial thanks to ace Adder experts Nick B, Colin J & Andrew E for advice on where to look.

Also the Wood Pigeon is back on her twig nest behind the second air conditioning unit along the wall of the Opticians near Gorleston Library, first noticed by a colleague at work yesterday.