This blog has been rather taken over by foxes, deer and sparrowhawks recently so it is time we had something different. Given that they are cold-blooded, I am always surprised how early in the season the adders emerge. I went up to see them a few days ago, just after sunrise. There was snow on the ground and an air temperature of 1℃ and yet they were already out catching the first rays of sunshine to warm them up. Most of those I saw were fairly big but because they have not yet shed their skins it is less easy to tell males from females.
I only once saw two together, as the smaller one in this picture slithered by the larger one.
It settled down about a metre away.
The larger one had looked up but settled back to basking.
Although they look fierce (I think it is that red eye) adders are shy so I took care not to get too close so as to disturb them. Even though they didn't do much apart from shift their coils occasionally it was a thrill to see them again.
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