IT is at this time of year that we begin to look at starting much of our more invasive habitat work.

This is mainly because we have to avoid causing any harm or distress to the very creatures that we are looking to conserve in the first place. This is true for any works needed to create good sites for ground nesting bird species, we obviously must wait until breeding is over and their young have fledged.

However, it is also particularly true for our reptile population. These creatures, unlike birds, cannot simply take themselves off somewhere else if their habitat is under threat, so it is essential that we maintain there chosen areas, and do so in the best and most sensitive way we can.

Reptiles are particularly fond of many of our local nature reserves, with four of the UK’s six species found among many of our sites.

The common lizard and slow-worm are found on both marshland and heath; however grass snakes tend to be more widely seen on the wetlands and adders on the heath.

All these species require some habitat management in order to flourish. All like areas of bare ground or shorter sward on which to bask, but these areas must be in fairly close proximity to areas of denser scrub and undergrowth on which to hunt or retreat when threatened. The only real exception is the grass snake, which requires an area of open water close by, where it can hunt for frogs.

It is this need for open areas that can potentially be a reptile’s downfall, as without some form of management to maintain these areas, they would soon become swamped by saplings or tall rank vegetation. In some cases this management can be done sensitively while the animal is in-situ, in other cases more drastic action can be necessary.

However, this can only be done once the reptiles have left the area for the winter or at least gone safely into hibernation. The sensitive approach usually involves the district’s four legged volunteers (aka cattle), slowly munching their way through vegetation, and breaking up the dense undergrowth. This is generally the favoured approach, as if there’s one thing reptiles do not like it’s sudden change, and even if it's a change for the better, the shock to the animal can be enough to push them out of that area. There are times when the more heavy-handed approach, such as felling or flailing is necessary.

Waiting until the colder months is the best approach, as the reptiles will have moved away to their underground hibernaculums. It is normally around this time of year that they begin to re-locate themselves, typically, at least in the case of Adder, when the temperature has dropped below nine degrees Celsius for a day or more. However for the past couple of years, we have had unseasonably warm autumns and I have witnessed adder as late as Christmas Day.

Reptiles are a wonderful addition to our local nature reserves, and one that is a vital part of the ecosystem on these sites. They are truly fascinating and inspiring creatures to observe, and seeing one adds a whole new dimension to the reserves.

We are hoping to run some reptile conservation activities over the winter, and would like to hear from interested people.

By ADAM HAMILTON