But seriously though folks....

In view of the displeasure of some readers at the traditional Snake-whacking Day (or as PG Wodehouse calls it, Snake-chivvying) I shall desist from next year.

The slowworms and adders were seen at a reserve along the Darenth Valley, and I am again indebted to Greenie and John for their local knowledge up-county.

In the reserve, three types of refugia are used - felt mat, corrugated iron and clear corrugated plastic, and the adders were both under the plastic. This is reassuring, as I've put down a similar sheet in the garden to see what might be around.

Coincidentally, today sees the launch of a survey by the BTO and the Herpetological Conservation Trust, asking volunteers to report reptiles and amphibians in their gardens.
http://www.bto.org/gbw/herps/2009_survey/index.htm

While on the subject of adders, the map below from http://www.adder.org.uk/ shows past and recent sightings.

I understand that a Red-legged Herring Gull was reported from Maidstone yesterday - the first UK record unsurprisingly, since the main colony of this rare bird is on the Pacific island of s'Poofe (source: Birdwatching magazine). Good grief.