heliastes21's Journal

Slow worms are apparently the most frequently seen reptile in Britain, though I have struggled to find them until now. Today, completely by chance, I thought I would check under some pieces of old roofing felt at a local nature reserve and I came across four, two small (and worm-like), two large (and somewhat snake-like), but all a glorious golden colour.

Slow worms are unique in the UK for being legless lizards. They spend much of their time burrowing into loose soil and decaying vegetation, where they snack on a variety of invertebrates, including slugs, snails, spiders and earthworms. It is often claimed that the slow worm is 'the longest-lived lizard' or 'one of the longest-lived lizards in the world'. Their average lifespan in the wild is thought to be 20 to 30 years and one slow worm reportedly survived for at least 54 years in captivity at Copenhagen Zoo.

They are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, meaning that it is an offence to kill, injure or sell them.

(I revisited the same site on 4th July and found 3 individuals curled up together)

As I was leaving work today, a Caspian Tern was reported at Buckenham Marshes (Norfolk) so I called in to see if I could find it on my way home. This is the 212th bird species I have loaded into iNaturalist for the United Kingdom.

Distinctive, with a huge red bill and slight crest, this is by far the largest of the terns; it is a regular but scarce visitor, mostly occurring during the summer months. There are approximately five sightings in the UK per year. It is a rare migrant from eastern and southern Europe.