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Any time

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Generally in the morning

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When you look for amphibians and reptiles in the morning 

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When you look for amphibians and reptiles in the morning 

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during breeding season

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Breeding season

Spring through summer

On days when it’s nice and sunny, no strong winds

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In mild weather a day after rain when it's between 10-20 degrees

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In mild weather a day after rain when it's between 10-20 degrees

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I always have one eye out! Especially as I've been hearing about adders not brumating through winter in some areas due to climate change...but doubly so in spring/early mornings!

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toads and frogs: Jan-April

newts: Feb-June

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Early morning and late afternoon when it is a hot day. Different locations depending on if it is morning or afternoon due to shade etc

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Allow for seasonal change.

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coming out of brumation

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Amphibians - depends on the stage of development I'm looking to find them.

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Amphibians - depends on the stage of development I'm looking to find them.

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GCN: late spring. Egg search during the day. Trapping and torching at night

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GCN: late spring. Egg search during the day. Trapping and torching at night

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Check the timings depending on the area of the country

Check the weather forecasts

Late spring/summer/early autumn

Earlier in the morning on a sunny calm day

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in spring

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In mornings between March and October, temperature between 10 and 20 degrees. Partly sunny conditions

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Warm morning, no hotter than 20C or colder than 10

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Warm morning, no hotter than 20C or colder than 10

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Cool days with sun

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I would love to know more about finding them on days following bad weather - haven't heard about this, does that tend to make them more active?

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Following a dull, rainy spell

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Days with reasonable weather (preferably some sunshine) in spring. Adder as early as late Feb in Kent.

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Days with reasonable weather (preferably some sunshine) in spring. Adder as early as late Feb in Kent.

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A colour that is different to the surrounding area and a break in the lines of the vegetation

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Reptiles, any day if the conditions are right. Especially after a few days of rain 

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Reptiles, any day if the conditions are right. Especially after a few days of rain 

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18 degrees and humid is the sweet spot for reptiles I have noticed 

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18 degrees and humid is the sweet spot for reptiles I have noticed 

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Amphibians: This can be anytime but it can depend on species. Frogs Palmates and GCN can often be the first species I encounter, often from Jan/Feb and toads mid feb onwards. Best times Feb-May, but in good habitat/ponds, there can be something to spot most of the year except for very low temps... sub 5 degrees

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Amphibians: This can be anytime but it can depend on species. Frogs Palmates and GCN can often be the first species I encounter, often from Jan/Feb and toads mid feb onwards. Best times Feb-May, but in good habitat/ponds, there can be something to spot most of the year except for very low temps... sub 5 degrees

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Summer late mornings/ early afternoon when the sunshine is hottest and even better after rain

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I found adders on cold day at middle of the day. Also grass snake under unduline on a very rainy day! I also noticed grass snakes are always earlier under mats than slow worms e.g. grass snake at 6.30 in the morning

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I found adders on cold day at middle of the day. Also grass snake under unduline on a very rainy day! I also noticed grass snakes are always earlier under mats than slow worms e.g. grass snake at 6.30 in the morning

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Understanding of the animal is important to understand when they may need to bask and why

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Understanding of the animal is important to understand when they may need to bask and why

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I check the mats on my land every week throughout the year.

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I check the mats on my land every week throughout the year.

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Anecdotally I find more slow worms under roofing felt than corrugated tins!

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Reptiles: following rain on warm days from March - Oct can be productive. Sometimes slightly cloudy can be better than full hot sun as reptiles warm up slower with cloud cover.

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Reptiles: following rain on warm days from March - Oct can be productive. Sometimes slightly cloudy can be better than full hot sun as reptiles warm up slower with cloud cover.

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Close cover and basking spots

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sounds e.g. rustles for reptiles, habitat edges as shown with adders, in water- listen for newt tail flicks 

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sounds e.g. rustles for reptiles, habitat edges as shown with adders, in water- listen for newt tail flicks 

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near to a water source for amphibians

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For reptiles, transitional areas between different habitats

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usually a movement or an eye

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Amphibians: pond surveys are best, especially torching. Netting can send animals hiding. 

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Amphibians: pond surveys are best, especially torching. Netting can send animals hiding. 

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Small open patches in heath, habitat edges. Shapes and colours (on sunny days) that stand out.

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I look at the edges of fields, paths, etc. I've also started looking in crevices - have found slow worms inside a stone wall, and in the US water snakes in a similar environment.

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Habitat that provides a mosaic and multi level of potential shelter/hibernacula and areas to bask

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Habitat that provides a mosaic and multi level of potential shelter/hibernacula and areas to bask

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Under/on top of stones, log piles, long grass, ponds and under discarded plastic rubbish! 

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Under/on top of stones, log piles, long grass, ponds and under discarded plastic rubbish! 

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Keyhole openings within denser vegetation where the sun is able to penetrate through.

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I always advise people to think like a reptile and so I give them a quick overview of their ecology and that helps them understand where to look

Places for mosaic/cryptic basking

Edges of habitats

Looking for ponds nearby for food sources

Habitat diversity

South west facing slopes

etc....

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Log piles

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Amphibians - ponds or wet areas in spring for breeding animals.  Under refugia in winter. Rocks and logs.

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Amphibians - ponds or wet areas in spring for breeding animals.  Under refugia in winter. Rocks and logs.

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Habitat piles - logs, compost heaps, grass cuttings etc 

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Habitat piles - logs, compost heaps, grass cuttings etc 

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GCN: egg search - helps to be a botanist! You're looking for folded leaves rather than anything herpetological. If you want to get your eye in practice by folding a few spinach leaves in a bowl! 

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GCN: egg search - helps to be a botanist! You're looking for folded leaves rather than anything herpetological. If you want to get your eye in practice by folding a few spinach leaves in a bowl! 

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GCN don't mind shredded plastic to lay eggs on 

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GCN don't mind shredded plastic to lay eggs on 

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Great crested newt eggs on larger leaves.

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Great crested newt eggs on larger leaves.

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break in patterns- e.g. adder diamonds within straight lines of vegetation 

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break in patterns- e.g. adder diamonds within straight lines of vegetation 

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Reptiles: Mozaic habitats with lots of structure, sunny spots with some low shelter creating wind breaks/sun traps.

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Reptiles: Mozaic habitats with lots of structure, sunny spots with some low shelter creating wind breaks/sun traps.

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I tend to look more for pattern recognition and can often spots snakes by their curves

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habitat edges, sheltered spots, sun traps, sand hill, ant hills. 

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habitat edges, sheltered spots, sun traps, sand hill, ant hills. 

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pattern changes, movement; sound: rustles,

natural refuga, logs etc.

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Think like a reptile,where would I bask or hide, but get some warmth and away from cool winds and predators

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Think like a reptile,where would I bask or hide, but get some warmth and away from cool winds and predators

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checking wooden objects like fence posts & rails for common lizards basking esp new born lizards

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checking wooden objects like fence posts & rails for common lizards basking esp new born lizards

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Compose heaps regarding slow worms and toads

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Compose heaps regarding slow worms and toads

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Different colors and shapes that don’t fit into the surroundings.

Not just in the open but in bushes etc. seen grass snakes moving up bramble bushes

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Kids - their natural curiosity is the best for finding frogs/toads

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Kids - their natural curiosity is the best for finding frogs/toads

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If you're in a cooler part of the country, think about which part of the pond will get most sun. Amphibians are amazingly good at discerning very small changes in temperature 

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If you're in a cooler part of the country, think about which part of the pond will get most sun. Amphibians are amazingly good at discerning very small changes in temperature 

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Problem with relying on shapes for snakes is getting far too excited over bits of plastic, rope, string, etc.!

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With grass snakes, I always look for the collar!

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Head structure can help distinguish adder from smooth snake for me!

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Take multiple photos to compare to a guide or book or even ask for help from someone more experienced

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Eyes are different between snake species

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Physical features such as colour, size, markings. Also, behaviour.

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Physical features such as colour, size, markings. Also, behaviour.

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Small newts: 3Ts toes (rear), tails and throats (in hand)

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Small newts: 3Ts toes (rear), tails and throats (in hand)

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Understanding the region and what it could/ couldn't be due to that 

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Understanding the region and what it could/ couldn't be due to that 

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Practice, repetition, mental search images

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Practice, repetition, mental search images

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Grass snake by yellow collar and green colour. Also round pupil

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Grass snake by yellow collar and green colour. Also round pupil

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Each species has telltale signs, eg. Zigzag on adders, occelations on sand lizards, other patterns or physical features

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Think about your geographic location and what species are usually present there 

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Think about your geographic location and what species are usually present there 

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Not just going by colour. As a result of colour variation 

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Not just going by colour. As a result of colour variation 

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Texture of skin

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Smooth v palmate newts: ideally look at throat. Palmates have transparent skin so their throats look pink. Smooth have opaque skin. Some of the books will tell you they're spotted but many aren't.  They're always opaque though, often a plain creamy colour

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Smooth v palmate newts: ideally look at throat. Palmates have transparent skin so their throats look pink. Smooth have opaque skin. Some of the books will tell you they're spotted but many aren't.  They're always opaque though, often a plain creamy colour