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| River Derwent Grass Snakes | ||
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The grass snake is Britain 's largest reptile and most common snake. Within Durham they are almost exclusively found in the River Derwent area, although the numbers of grass snakes recorded are scarce and thought to be declining.
The River Derwent Grass Snakes Project, funded by SITA's Enriching Nature fund and Northumbrian Water Ltd, aims to consolidate the population by improving habitat along the river corridor. From 2007 to 2010, new wetland scrapes will provide amphibian food for grass snakes, and new log pile hibernacula will provide places to overwinter. Partners include Gateshead and Durham Councils and the Forestry Commission who, as well as creating overwintering and feeding habitat for grass snake, will also manage riverside land to provide more compost piles - crucial for egg laying success. The focus of the project over the next year will be on monitoring the success of the new habitat features and trying to establish whether grass snake distribution is increasing. To help increase our knowledge of grass snake distribution within the Derwent Valley , we would like to know if you see any grass snakes. To take part in our survey and for more information click HERE |
