Wildlife!

[Nemesis]

Yes it's period property, in a sort of way.

Can anyone make a positive identification of this little creature? bottom right, just above the number 6...


[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

 

[MdB]

Lizard / Newt thing - (variety - baby)

A higher resolution picture would be needed for better identification. The linked pic is only 0.7M pixel is size do you have anything bigger?

 

[Nemesis]

Sadly no - that is blown up hugely as it is.

I can't make an identification either - I suspect a baby of some sort - but a protected species would be useful!

 

[worms]

Did it run off before you took the picture?

Unless the faint brown item below the grass and the suggestion of an eye is what we are trying to identify...

I was beginning to suspect that this was one of these pictures that you are meant to stare at for a long time until some scarey web-thing happened!

 

[Nemesis]

It's not my pic - but if you open the image you can see it, bottom right and above the 6...

 

[bower1]

I'm no expert, but I think its probably a young smooth newt. The great crested (which I assume you were hoping for) is a darker colour. The young smooth newts can look quite like a lizard as they have not got the wide tail. I remember seeing them in autumn, looking like the photo, by my first garden pond.

http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/smooth_newt.htm
http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/great_crested_newt.htm

 

[Nemesis]

Thanks - that's about what I thought, although it is very light in colour.

I think there are also Greater Crested but there are no pics, but there have been positive sightings of natterjacks and sand lizards, both of which I understand have more protection than the historic structures on site about to be bulldozed.

 

[Schoolmarm]

I agree, a young smooth newt. We have several near here and they get run over because every one thinks they are slugs.

 

[worms]

Nemesis,

I see it now! This morning I double clicked on the picture itself instead of the link and the picture stopped just short of the critical point.

Now that it is all visible, I would agree with the smooth newt theory, unless it is a very light coloured and small sand lizard.

The local Wildlife Trust will probably have someone who would be happy to come out and have a closer look at the site if it is at risk from development, although this is not the best of times of year to survey.

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/index.php?section=localtrusts

 

[Nemesis]

If EH couldn't get on site for a listing assessment, I suspect tha a local wildlife trust will not be welcome either!

Trying to get evidence in otherways!

Sand lizards would be good I think they are protected...

He's sweet though.

Thanks peeps.

 

[David Q]

It is likely to be a smooth newt, if you live in the lowlands, if you live at high level (such as N Wales, Lakes or Pennines) it is likely to be a Palmate newt. Both species live most of their lives out of water and can often be found under logs or in between stones in gardens. Good slug hunters and nice to have around.