Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Off Topic => Topic started by: BobG on June 08, 2022, 12:13:26 am

Title: Grass snakes
Post by: BobG on June 08, 2022, 12:13:26 am
I spotted a four foot long grass snake in my garden pond this afternoon. Having researched the beastie, it's fond of eating fish apparently. That would explain why I have to keep buying more of the little buggers. The snake is a protected species. So, question; how do I get rid of it?!

Oh. My garden appears to be Nirvana for snakes apparently. It's got everything they like....  Anybody got any Agent Orange?

BobG
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: River Don on June 08, 2022, 01:29:50 am
In the past I have seen grass snakes in the Don at Sprotbrough at this time of year. They are quite common around the Flash nature reserve. I didn't realise they were after fish, should have been obvious I suppose.

I don't know how to deter them, sorry.
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: Donny Dub on June 08, 2022, 07:32:04 am
You’ve probably no frogs and toads in your pond the snake is there to intercept them,that’s the grass snakes favorite snack.
BTW I thought you lived in Ireland Bob.  If so St Patrick wants to know about the snakes he missed when he banished the others!
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: drfchound on June 08, 2022, 08:33:59 am
How about just catching it and taking it to a bigger pond in the area.
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: Bentley Bullet on June 08, 2022, 10:30:31 am
How about just catching it and taking it to a bigger pond in the area.
That's quite an intelligent suggestion, Hound!
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: Donnywolf on June 08, 2022, 11:29:05 am
Is Serpentine too far ... its only in Hyde Park
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: BobG on June 08, 2022, 11:13:38 pm
Lol. I'm not sure I've got the guts to go fishing about in my pond to grab hold of a 4 foot snake Hound! I know it's harmless, but I ain't that keen tbh... Actually, there aren't any ponds I know of within walking distance either. How do you stuff a 4 foot snake in to a box?!

You're right Dub. I used to have quite a few frogs kicking around. Now I never hear any, and this year I have only ever seen one: and he was a big bugger. There is still a small salamander type creature in there though. Perhaps he's being kept until he gets a bit bigger?

He was there again today. He's got a nice hidey hole too - behind a sheet of pond liner that I used as a second layer beneath my twee waterfall.  He's got a really secure and private hideaway there.


Bob
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: SydneyRover on June 08, 2022, 11:16:12 pm
Looks like you're going to have to give it a name Bob

Which type of grass snake is it?
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: BobG on June 08, 2022, 11:32:39 pm
Lol! You are the third person who has told me I need to give the thing a name! MY son did yesterday and now, today, the lady who comes in to do a bit of cleaning did.

OK. Who's got some suggestions?

I think it's a 'Natrix helvetica' Sydney. But I'm no expert!

Bob
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: SydneyRover on June 08, 2022, 11:34:13 pm
Nat sounds a good name then if it's male
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: BobG on June 08, 2022, 11:47:38 pm
Nat? Lol. I'll sleep on it....

How do you tell what sex a snake is??????

Bob
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: SydneyRover on June 08, 2022, 11:50:08 pm
very carefully, I think, sorry not much help on that one
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: BobG on June 08, 2022, 11:51:44 pm
:):):)

Bob
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: idler on June 09, 2022, 09:53:03 am
Hissing Syd?
As in the song.
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: SydneyRover on June 09, 2022, 10:07:43 am
Had to go back a bit to drag that one up idler?
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: phil old leake on June 09, 2022, 12:58:00 pm
Did Snot
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: phil old leake on June 09, 2022, 12:58:17 pm
Sid snot
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: idler on June 09, 2022, 01:28:31 pm
Had to go back a bit to drag that one up idler?
Only1980 Syd.
Keith Michell was Australian as well so Capt. Beaky might be famous even there.
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: SydneyRover on June 09, 2022, 01:38:55 pm
He moved to the UK in 49 wiki says, I have only vaguely heard of him, I know Sid Snot better.
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: idler on June 09, 2022, 01:47:40 pm
He was a decent actor and played Henry 8th in an ITV series which I think was in the 70s.
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: Donnywolf on June 09, 2022, 05:39:40 pm
Lol! You are the third person who has told me I need to give the thing a name! MY son did yesterday and now, today, the lady who comes in to do a bit of cleaning did.

OK. Who's got some suggestions?

I think it's a 'Natrix helvetica' Sydney. But I'm no expert!

Bob

Actually Natrix Natrix ...... So name picks itself

Domi  :bscarf:
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: belton rover on June 09, 2022, 09:33:24 pm
I’d call it ‘Dave’ if I were you, Bobby G.
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: scawsby steve on June 09, 2022, 10:11:59 pm
I'd call it "Keith".

The comparisons are obvious.
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: phil old leake on June 10, 2022, 06:09:03 am
Call him Al Wilson.  Maybe he likes Northern Soul
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: BobG on June 10, 2022, 03:56:50 pm
Dave is a good shout Belton. I can't relate to Nat somehow.  The alternative, suggested by my lad, is 'that chuffing big horrid scary thing in the pond'...

BobG
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: Bentley Bullet on June 10, 2022, 04:44:36 pm
Donald -  'that chuffing big horrid scary thing over the pond'...
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: SydneyRover on June 11, 2022, 01:25:12 am
Sybil if it's female, had a look yet Bob?
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: andy didcott on June 11, 2022, 08:15:54 am
Bumped into a snake a few days ago here in Turkey, wasn’t a grass one I know that, shat myself.
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: BobG on June 11, 2022, 10:35:05 pm
Like Donald BB!!

And No bloody way Sydney! Mind you, a mate came round this morning. He wnated to see the thing. We didn't, But if I start noticing reductions in the number of fish swimming about he said he's perfectry happy to wade in, grab the bugger and take it a mile or two down the Thames and let it go there. He can check its sex while he's at it.....

Sounds a plan to me!

BobG
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: Ye-Aul-Tavern on July 03, 2022, 09:54:32 am
Anyone else waiting curiously for an update from Bob?  :lol: How's the snake?
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: Donnywolf on July 03, 2022, 10:04:16 am
Yes agree ... news has eviperated hasn't it

Thought he might have addered more a bit since
Title: Re: Grass snakes
Post by: Bentley Bullet on July 03, 2022, 10:10:18 am
Anyone else waiting curiously for an update from Bob?  :lol: How's the snake?

He's OK. He was on here yesterday.   :)