Amazing Adders at Foulshaw Moss

September in Cumbria commenced on a beautiful sunny Sunday and a quick visit to Foulshaw Moss to see if there were any Ospreys still in residence seemed like a lovely way to pass an afternoon. The carpark was unusually full when we arrived; evidently quite a few people had the same idea we did! 
We decided to wait for the crowds to disperse before checking the Osprey viewing area and instead we headed along the path at the top end of the carpark, which leads into a small wooded area. This proved to be a serendipitous choice for almost as soon as we set foot on the walkway we spotted a beautiful copper coloured female Adder basking in the afternoon sun.

A couple of feet away was a male Adder. He was well camouflaged in the dried bracken and so was a little more difficult to spot.

The Adder is the UK's only venomous snake, although its bite is rarely fatal. They are shy creatures and would always try to escape if disturbed, rather than attack. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, young birds, frogs and lizards, of which there are many at Foulshaw including this rather unusual green coloured one.

The Common Lizard is variable in colour, but is usually a brown/grey with darker spots and stripes.

Froglets and Bog Bush Crickets jumped this way and that; disturbed by our footsteps on the boardwalk.

Foulshaw is also home to Slow Worms, which despite looking like snakes are actually legless lizards. They feed on slugs, snails and worms and are often found in damp long grass. We were lucky to spot this pregnant female out in the open, as they normally hide away under logs, stones or corrugated iron sheets. They are often found in allotments and gardens, where they avail themselves of the warm and protective habitat that a compost heap provides.

 Various Dragonflies were enjoying the early Autumn sunshine.

 Other weird and wonderful creatures such as this Noon Fly put in an appearance.

A Fox Moth caterpillar scurried past.

Signs of Autumn were all around and the heather was in full bloom.

We didn't see any sign of the Ospreys; they appeared to have departed on their long journey to West Africa, where they spend the winter months. The sky began to darken as a heavy rain shower moved closer and so we headed back to the car before the heavens opened!

 Thanks for visiting; I hope you've enjoyed the photos.