A soft rustle in the vegetation, and the sight of a disappearing tail, is usually all one sees of a Common Lizard. So it was a special treat to get such a close view of one on a recent visit to Ancells Farm Wildlife Reserve, a wet heathland near Aldershot within the Trust's Grazing Project.
Common Lizards are found all over Britain but they generally prefer areas of well-drained soil such as dry heathland or moorland (although curiously they also take to railway embankments). It might seem strange, therefore, that they should feel so at home at Ancells Farm, one of the wettest of our wildlife reserves! However, there is plenty of small invertebrate prey for them to eat, in the form of spiders and crickets, and the raised paths and boardwalks which meander through the reserve provide perfect basking spots.
Common Lizards are often troubled by parasites and this one seems to have picked up a few ticks, which can be seen clinging between the scales of its foreleg. However, they are unlikely to cause it much harm.
A recent visit to Ancells Farm also produced a rare sighting of the huge and impressive Raft Spider. This is our largest species of spider, with a legspan of 7 cm or more, and it is quite capable of taking prey as large as a tadpole.
Sometimes, it is the little things in conservation which leave a big impact and it was a real priviledge to get such a rare and intimate glimpse of these two fascinating predators.
Oliver
Conservation Trainee
Grazing Project
Posts
