First reptile of 2012!

Today Sander, Tim and i head out with the target to score the first reptile, and especially the first Vipera berus of the year! The weather is far from ideal, no sun and its cloudy the whole day.. Not really what the weather exceptions said.. In the morning it is still a bit foggy. So we take our time to get to the first area. The most interesting thing in this area was probably the woodpecker creating a great amount of sound on a hollow tree. We proceed and search close to some hibernacula. To get some herps we try some fens. Soon we find Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria, Lissotriton vulgaris and Lissotriton helveticus. In the field we also found an early Rana arvalis. The amphibians are already getting busy this year. But still no reptiles, not even a Viviparous lizard.. And only a few hibernacula spots to go. Before we start the search on the new spot I mention that I can smell an adder (just kidding of course). A few minutes later Tim is doing a victory dance, we just found the first adder of the season! We take the data that is required for research, take some pictures and let him go in the heath.

Mission completed! It took a full day of walking, but it was worth every step! Can't wait till they are all wake up and the smooth snakes are out and basking!