Celebrating and protecting Adders

Kevin Lerwill

Gatwick Greenspace Partnership Project Officer

For thousands of years, people across Europe have welcomed a new spring by seeing the signs of change in the natural world around them; the Dawn Chorus, Snowdrops, Daffodils and Blackthorns in flower, clumps of jelly-like Frogspawn in our ponds and, if you are lucky, an Adder basking in the warmth of the early morning sun.

Sadly though, the last of these natural indicators may soon just be a distant memory, as our Adders are in serious trouble and need our help more than ever before. A combination of habitat loss, disturbance (especially during the spring) and deliberate persecution, are all still contributing to their decline in Britain. It has been estimated that our amazing, beautiful Adders could become extinct within the next 10-20 years unless the current trend rapidly improves*.

What we can all do to help.

• When walking in the countryside, please keep to the formal Rights of Way (Bridleways and Footpaths).
• If you have a dog with you, please keep it under close control (or on a lead), especially in the spring/early summer. This will protect your dog, as well as the wildlife that can easily be disturbed or damaged by dogs off the lead.
• Learn more about Adders by visiting your local Amphibian and Reptile Group’s website or social media pages.
• If you see one, leave it alone and only take photos from a distance.
• Record any sightings to your local Reptile Group, your local Wildlife Trust or via the iRecord or iNaturalist apps.
• Volunteer with a local wildlife conservation group, such as the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership to help maintain their habitats
• If you witness any deliberate persecution (killing) of Adders, please report it to your local Police Wildlife Crime Officer (All British reptiles are protected from intentional killing, injuring and sale under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).

Let’s protect, enjoy and celebrate our native wildlife and hopefully we will all continue to witness all the signs of spring for many more generations to come.

* Based on information in this scientific paper