Riverside Wildlife Survey

Both the animals pictured are associated with rivers in the Durham area. Kingfishers are good indicators of environmental quality, and we would like to keep an eye on their distribution. Grass snakes are very elusive and we still know very little about their distribution in the north-east.

Kingfisher

The kingfisher is one of our most easily recognised birds, but is extrememly shy and does not tolerate human disturbance. It is at the top of the food chain and is therefore very vulnerable to pollution from industry and farming. In order to survive, the kingfisher has to eat its own bodyweight in small fish every day. Hard winters can decimate populations.

Grass snakes

Grass snakes are our largest snake - adults are between 80 and 120 cm long (3 to 4 feet). They don't have the distinctive zigzag of an adder, or the smooth glassy appearance of a slow worm. They do have a distinctive yellow/cream collar on a dark background behind the head. Grass snakes feed largely on amphibians and bask secretively in areas of tall grasses and herbs near water.