Adder Vipera berus
Species Action Plan 1. Introduction The adder is Europe’s most widespread snake species but one of only three that occurs naturally in the UK. Whilst widespread and locally common in some areas its distribution is scattered and declining in Worcestershire. It is a priority UK BAP species.
2. Current Status 2.1 Ecology and habitat requirements Adders are able to utilise a diverse range of habitats, varying from lowland meadows, hillsides, moorland, marshland, woodland, scrub and heath. They show a marked preference for sites with a southerly aspect. Adders hibernate through the winter and emerge in late winter / early spring where they can frequently be seen basking near the hibernacula. Prior to mating the males wrestle for dominance, often referred to as a “combat dance”. After mating adders disperse to their summer feeding areas, except for pregnant females who do not feed. These feeding areas can be as much as 1km away from the hibernacula. Their diet consists of small mammals (mainly voles) and lizards. In the autumn they return to the hibernation area where the females give birth to live young before retiring for the winter period. 2.2 Population and distribution Adders once existed where suitable habitat was present across most of mainland Britain. However there is now overwhelming evidence that the species is in rapid decline in many areas and this is currently the situation within Worcestershire. Adders are now primarily confined to heathland, meadow and woodland in the west and north west of the county, the main sites being the Wyre Forest, Habberley Valley, Kingsford Forest Park and the Malvern Hills. Figure 1 shows adder records held for Worcestershire. The map clearly demonstrates that current records (2000 onwards) are confined to these areas mentioned above. There are scattered records from elsewhere in the county: many of these are classed as historical data, although there have been odd occasions in recent years when isolated individuals have been found on these ‘historical’ sites. Whether this is the result of the migration of adders from elsewhere, or whether the species is simply very underrecorded is unclear. We must never overlook the possibility of more of these ‘historical’ sites, or indeed new sites, being found to support adders today. Overall, the Midlands is an area of particular concern as both adder and Anguis fragilis slow-worm are thought to be in greater decline here than elsewhere in the country. Individual reports reiterate the concern over adder population status in the Midlands. Monitoring in the Wyre Forest (Worcestershire and Shropshire) has detected decreases in the number of sites occupied by adders and in the mean number of sightings per site (Sheldon - Wyre Forest Study Group review).
Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 S8 Adder SAP
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This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Š Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Worcestershire County Council 100015914. For reference purposes only. No further copies may be made.
Figure1. Records for adder in Worcestershire to 2007. Records pre-1979 are shown blue, 1980-1999 shown green and 2000-2007 shown red. Data provided by Worcestershire Biological Records Centre. Note some data is displayed at hectad and tetrad level.
2.3 Legislation The adder is protected under schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. 2.4 Summary of important sites Wyre Forest lies to the north of the county. It comprises 2,500 ha of mixed woodland with small meadows, wide sunny rides, scrub and heathland within its boundaries. Half of the forest is in Shropshire with much of the south facing land to the north of the forest. The main landowners / managers are Forestry Commission England and Natural England, who together manage around 45% of the forest, with the remaining land being owned privately. Habberley Valley is a 37 ha acid grassland and lowland heathland complex. It is owned and managed by Wyre Forest District Council. Kingsford Forest Park is managed by Worcestershire County Council Countryside Service and lies on the edge of a red sandstone ridge with 200 acres of pine forest, broadleaved woodland and pockets of open heathland. The Malvern Hills are one of the largest areas of semi-natural vegetation in the West Midlands supporting a mosaic of habitat types, including acid grassland, scrub, woodland and some small areas of heathland.
Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 S8 Adder SAP
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3. Current factors affecting the species
Sites throughout the county containing potentially suitable habitat have increasingly become fragmented and isolated by development and road building making the migration of remaining individuals difficult.
Despite their legal protection adders are still subject to persecution from humans, particularly as increasing development brings them into closer contact with people as populations are squeezed into smaller and diminishing numbers of sites.
Agricultural practices have changed and increased stocking densities have altered the nature of the tussock rich grassland that adders favour as habitat.
The utilisation of heavy machinery in land management operations can directly impact on the burrows used by the adder by causing ground compaction on hibernaculums, preventing them from emerging in the spring. The vibrations from these machines may also cause undue stress to adders during this critical time.
Increased visitor and recreation pressure on key sites impacts on adder populations through disturbance and habitat degradation. For example, the Wyre Forest suffers in some areas because of the use of mountain bikes. There have also been instances of adders being injured or killed by dogs.
Increasing populations of predators, such as Buteo buteo buzzard and Phasianus colchicus pheasant, has also had an impact on local populations of adders.
The widespread clearance of trees and scrub where the presence of the adder has not been given appropriate consideration can have a detrimental impact on the species, as they are slow to adapt to sudden landscape-scale habitat changes within their environment.
4. Current Action 4.1 Local protection There are no sites in Worcestershire that are protected specifically for their adder populations, although many of the key sites where adders are found have designations for other reasons: • • • •
1753 ha of the Wyre Forest is designated a SSSI, and 549 ha a NNR. 732 ha of the Malvern Hills is designated a SSSI and the main hills and commons constitute around 11% of the Malvern Hills AONB. Habberley Valley is owned and managed by Wyre Forest District Council as a Local Nature Reserve. Kingsford Forest Park is managed by Worcestershire County Council as a Local Nature Reserve.
4.2 Site management and programs of action Work is being carried out in the Wyre Forest on an ongoing basis to monitor the extent and locations of the adder populations. The annual report produced by Sylvia Sheldon helps to inform the management work carried out by Forestry Commission England, Natural England, Worcestershire County Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and private landowners to ensure that adder sites are appropriately maintained and protected. Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 S8 Adder SAP
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The primary hibernacula site in Habberley Valley has been fenced to deter public access. Large-scale clearance of secondary woodland has taken place on the southeasterly slopes of Habberley Valley. This work was done without using machinery on the banks, the timber being removed either by heavy horse or through zip lines. Some cord wood was retained and a few large stumps were partially uprooted to act as possible adder refuges. On the Malvern Hills and Commons scrub management is being targeted around adder hibernacula and feeding sites to provide habitat for prey species. Nigel Hand has been instrumental in plotting the migration routes from hibernacula to the feeding grounds whilst also monitoring individuals on the various sites. Through the results of the survey work the timing and intensity of grazing has been adjusted to make sure the adders are not disturbed at key times. The management work is carried out by the Malvern Hills Conservators on the advice of Nigel Hand. 4.3 Survey, research and monitoring Sylvia Sheldon and Chris Bradley have carried out an extensive annual population inventory of adders in the Wyre Forest area since 1982 and they have also recorded in other areas of Worcestershire. These studies have raised the awareness of local landowners and management has improved in recent years. A report is produced annually and advice given on appropriate management. Wyre Forest District Council has carried out ad-hoc surveys for adder on their sites for a number of years. Most recently, a survey was commissioned in Spring 2007 to look at whether any remnant populations exist on District Council-owned heathland areas around Kidderminster and what the suitability of this habitat is for adder. The fieldwork for this survey has taken place and a report is currently being written. Public liaison has been carried out with press articles and a public meeting to raise awareness of the conservation significance of the species and challenge negative attitudes towards the adder. Requests have been made through local media for people to report adder sightings. This has lead to the identification of a possible unknown site for adder at Redstone Marsh in Stourport. Nigel Hand has been recording the reptiles on the Malvern Hills and Commons for the last 5-10 years and has estimated that the site may contain the largest population of adders in the county. In 2007 the Malvern Hills Conservators and the Malvern Hills AONB funded a survey of all of the Hills and Commons to pinpoint hibernacula and also find new areas where adders where present: the new areas will be searched for hibernacula by Nigel in 2008. A report on the status of the adder on the Malvern Hills and Commons is due by the end of June 2007.
5. Associated plans Lowland Heathland, Woodland, Wood Pasture and Veteran Trees, Wet Grassland, Hedgerows, Scrub, Traditional Orchards, Acid Grassland, Neutral Grassland, Biological Recording, Education and Awareness.
6. Vision Statement Maintain habitat quality on sites known to hold adder populations. Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 S8 Adder SAP
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Improve our knowledge of adder population distribution within Worcestershire by encouraging and training volunteers / land managers to take part in monitoring schemes. Advice and guidance on adder ecology and protecting and maintaining adder populations in Worcestershire to be available to all land managers and professionals who may encounter the species in carrying out their jobs.
Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 S8 Adder SAP
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7. Targets Target Type
Target Text
Baseline value
Target Value
Target Timescale
Population
Train new volunteers to actively carry out survey work
0
6
2010
8. Actions Action Code
Action Category
WRC ADD AP 01
1.1
WRC ADD CA 01
2.15
WRC ADD CA 02
2.11
WRC ADD CP 01
3.5
WRC ADD CP 02
3.5
WRC ADD CP 03
3.5
WRC ADD CP 04
3.5
WRC ADD CP 05
3.7
WRC ADD CP 06
3.19
WRC ADD FR 01
4.13
Action Text
Location
Complete Action By
Lead Organisation
Support Organisations
Establish an adder task group (ATG), as a working group of WRAG, to steer all work in the county that relates to this species. Group to meet at least annually. Provide training in adder identification and survey techniques to volunteer officers. Adder guide to be available on the WBP website. Create five opportunities to use local media to promote adder conservation and habitat requirements to local communities Create five opportunities to use local media to promote adder conservation and habitat requirements to local communities Create five opportunities to use local media to promote adder conservation and habitat requirements to local communities Create five opportunities to use local media to promote adder conservation and habitat requirements to local communities Adder to be included on interpretation panels placed at entrances to site. A page dedicated to the ATG to be developed and hosted on the Worcestershire Biodiversity Partnership website. Establish a team of volunteer adder / reptile officers from local communities.
Worcestershire
2008
WFDC
NE, WRAG, WWT, WCC, FCE
Habberley Valley Worcestershire
2009
WFDC
FCE
2009
WCC
NE, WWT, WCC, WFDC
Habberley Valley
2017
WFDC
Malvern Hills
2017
MHC
Kingsford Country Park
2017
WCC
Wyre Forest
2017
FCE
Habberley Valley Worcestershire
2009
WFDC
2008
WCC
Habberley Valley
2009
WFDC
Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 S8 Adder SAP
WWT
WWT
6
WRC ADD FR 02
4.13
WRC ADD FR 03
4.13
WRC ADD HC 01
7.2
WRC ADD HS 01
6.11
WRC ADD HS 02
6.11
WRC ADD HS 03
6.11
WRC ADD HS 04
6.11
WRC ADD HS 05
6.11
WRC ADD HS 06
6.15
WRC ADD SM 01
12.3
WRC ADD SM 02
12.3
Expand volunteer base through local publicity to carry out sensitive habitat management. Recruit key volunteers to assist with surveying and recording on historical sites in Worcestershire. Where possible carry out habitat creation / restoration on these identified sites (WRC ADD HS 06) to extend the species range and reverse habitat fragmentation. Identify conflicts between site users, site management and adders and implement appropriate action to reduce potential risk to adders and their habitat. Identify conflicts between site users, site management and adders and implement appropriate action to reduce potential risk to adders and their habitat. Identify conflicts between site users, site management and adders and implement appropriate action to reduce potential risk to adders and their habitat. Identify conflicts between site users, site management and adders and implement appropriate action to reduce potential risk to adders and their habitat. Identify conflicts between site users, site management and adders and implement appropriate action to reduce potential risk to adders and their habitat. Identify areas having the potential to link isolated Adder populations or buffer existing adder habitat. Produce proposal document for a breeding and reintroduction project onto suitable sites in the county Meeting and site visit with Natural England to discuss reintroduction proposal.
Habberley Valley
2010
WFDC
Worcestershire
2008
FCE
NE, WWT, WCC, WFDC
Wyre Forest District
2012
WFDC
NE, FCE, WWT
Habberley Valley
2010
WFDC
Kingsford Country Park
2010
WCC
Malvern Hills
2010
MHC
Wyre Forest
2010
FCE
Knowles Meadow
2010
WWT
FCE
Wyre Forest District
2008
WFDC
NE, FCE, WWT
Worcestershire
2008
WFDC
Worcestershire
2008
WFDC
Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 S8 Adder SAP
NE
FCE, WWT
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WRC ADD SU 01
13.4
WRC ADD SU 02
13.4
WRC ADD SU 03
13.4
WRC ADD SU 04
13.4
WRC ADD SU 05
13.4
WRC ADD SU 06
13.2
WRC ADD SU 07
13.2
Support volunteer officers to carry out annual adder surveys of their adopted site. Continue to monitor adder populations annually and use surveys/research to inform the sympathetic and sensitive management of sites. Continue to monitor adder populations and use surveys/research to inform the sympathetic and sensitive management of sites. Continue to monitor adder populations and use surveys/research to inform the sympathetic and sensitive management of sites. Continue to monitor adder populations and use surveys/research to inform the sympathetic and sensitive management of sites. Examination of historical adder records to determine and prioritise likely sites for resurveying. Re-survey prioritised historical sites. Survey suitable habitat up to 1/2km from each site.
WRAG - Worcestershire Reptile and Amphibian Group MHDC – Malvern Hills District Council FCE - Forestry Commission England WFDC - Wyre Forest District Council
Habberley Valley Habberley Valley
2017
WFDC
2017
WFDC
Wyre Forest
2017
FCE
Kingsford Country Park
2017
WCC
Malvern Hills
2017
MHC
Worcestershire
2008
FCE
NE, WWT, WCC, WFDC
Worcestershire
2010
FCE
NE, WWT, WCC, WFDC
BDC – Bromsgrove District Council WCC - Worcestershire County Council WWT - Worcestershire Wildlife Trust MHC – Malvern Hills Conservators
WWT
NE
WCC – Worcestershire County Council RBC – Redditch Borough Council WorcsCC – Worcester City Council WDC – Wychavon District Council
References and further information Baker, J., Suckling, J and Carey, R (2004). Status of the adder Vipera berus and slow-worm Anguis fragilis in England. English Nature Research Report 546. http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/PDF/546.pdf Habberley Valley LNR Adder Survey, Wyre Forest District Council, Countryside Consultants Ltd 2006. Sheldon, S., Bradley, C and Garbett, A (2006). Wyre Forest Adder Census Report 2006. (Reports from other years also available).
Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 S8 Adder SAP
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