After lunch yesterday I took my coffee down the garden to sit by the pond in the shade of our weeping willow tree. As I sat I heard a sploosh so peered into the pond between the plants, the pond has a lot of plants in it so at this time of year it is quite hard to see the water, and I could see something really large which looked like a really, really long frog. As I looked I realised a snake had just that very moment struck and caught a frog. It had a very bright yellow collar so we knew it was a grass snake and it languished in the pond for ages eating the frog and then sliding off into the plantlife. We are very excited as that is the first time we have seen a grass snake in the garden and I do wonder if it is because I am now creating an unkempt area where I am not cutting the grass and am planting wild plants and have some old logs and of course, the pond. Mark did try and take some pics on his phone as we didn't have the camera with us and by the time I ran in and got it, the snake had moved right to the back of the pond, so if they are any good, I will get them posted.
EJ I'm quite jealous of your grass snake. I've tried to create a habitat fot them here but without any success so far. I hope your one stays around and helps to keep down the rodents in your garden.
Poor frog! But it is wonderful that you have a resident grass snake. Your habitat construction must be very successful! When my husband was cutting down the bloodweed by our pond he saw lots of snakes heading for the water. We have Prairie King snakes, among others, down there.
Yes... poor frog. But having a snake around is a good thing. We have all sorts around here... good and bad. I leave them alone, and they'd better leave me alone too! :-D
I am a snake lover and we do have a beautiful pet Corn snake so I favour the snake over the frog. Eileen, we did google and apparently frogs make up most of grass snakes diet. They will sometimes take eggs also so we will have to be vigilant with the quail eggs. Did you see the mass of grass snakes on the compost heap on Spring Watch back in May? I think perhaps that is the way to go.
Yes I did and was fascinated by it. I've never seen so many grass snakes!! I love both Springwatch and Autumnwatch and am always disappointed when they finish. We have a Western hognosed Python upstairs so, I too, have a liking for snakes. I wouldn't even mind if an adder moved into the garden. Just no more of my neighbours cats thankyou.
A nice resident EJ,..i hope it grows to its full length,..and maybe even the rare size of 6ft,..but that's rare,..around 2 ft plus is average,..you know we have snakes in Ireland,.. despite the myth that St Patrick was said to have banished them, ,..we do have grass snakes.
