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The grass snake is the largest native reptile, and the only snake in Britain which lays eggs. It is most frequently associated with water. River valleys, marshes, damp meadows, and around still waters such as ponds and reservoirs are all potential grass snake areas. Grass snakes also use drier habitats, including open woodland, rough grassland, heath and low intensity farmland. Local status The most northerly sites for grass snakes in the UK are scattered across Northumberland, Durham and Cumbria . In the Durham BAP area, historic distribution has related to the river corridors of the Derwent and the Wear. Current or recent activity Habitat improvement work including pond and hibernacula creation has taken place at Carrick's Haugh - Derwent Reservoir and at Barlow Burn and the River Derwent in Gateshead . (2002/2003) A recent effort to gather snake and slow worm records from the public yielded the first records for grass snake on the river Wear for 20 years, although these have yet to be confirmed independently. (2004/2005) A managament plan for the Grass Snake population at Gibside National Trust Property has been prepared by John Durkin (freelance ecologist). (2005) Habitat loss and modification: Grass snakes range over large areas, so habitat or range fragmentation can be a particular problem. Built development, roads or agricultural intensification can all lead to loss of habitat in good grass snake areas. Shading from developing woodland is also a problem at the one known site at Gibside. Increasing visitor pressure it the one known site at Gibside is a potential threat to Grass Snake as it limits opportunities for feeding and basking. Modern flood control techniques mean that there is much less debris left around riverbanks after flooding. Outdoor manure heaps on farms are now less common, with reduced livestock numbers, and turned over too quickly. Also manure now tends to be stored in inaccessible tanks. Fewer gardeners use accessible compost heaps. Grass snake sites may be destroyed unknowingly if there is insufficient data available to developers and ecologists. More information / references Corbett, K. (Ed.) (1989) Conservation of European reptiles and amphibians . Christopher Helm, Bromley English Nature (1996). Species Conservation Handbook. Herps 3.3. Guidelines for the making of grass snake egg-laying sites. Natural England, Peterborough . English Nature (2005). Reptiles in your garden. Natural England , Peterborough . English Nature (2005). Reptiles: guidelines for developers . Natural England, Peterborough Frazer, D. (1983). Reptiles and amphibians in Britain. Collins, London Froglife. Conserving Grass Snakes – Advice Sheet 6. Froglife. Snakes Need Friends – Advice Sheet 2. |
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