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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 Trust aims to consolidate the population by improving habitat along the river corridor. Throughout 2010 and 2011, a number of habitat works will be carried out. Landowners including Northumbrian Water, the Forestry Commission and Gateshead Council are allowing these important works to be carried out on their land. The works will include the creation of new wetland scrapes which will provide amphibian food for grass snakes, and new log pile hibernacula which will provide places for Grass Snakes to overwinter. Gateshead Council volunteers will be invloved in planting up some of the ponds and the Friend of Chopwell Forest will be getting involved by building some of the log piles. Surveys will also be carried out as part of this project monitor the success of the new and existing habitat features and 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 |
