Grass snakes

[BobG]

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

[River Don]

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.

[Donny Dub]

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!

[drfchound]

How about just catching it and taking it to a bigger pond in the area.

[Bentley Bullet]

How about just catching it and taking it to a bigger pond in the area.

That's quite an intelligent suggestion, Hound!

[Donnywolf]

Is Serpentine too far ... its only in Hyde Park

[BobG]

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

[SydneyRover]

Looks like you're going to have to give it a name Bob

Which type of grass snake is it?

[BobG]

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

[SydneyRover]

Nat sounds a good name then if it's male

[BobG]

Nat? Lol. I'll sleep on it....

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

Bob

[SydneyRover]

very carefully, I think, sorry not much help on that one

[BobG]

Bob

[idler]

Hissing Syd?
As in the song.

[SydneyRover]

Had to go back a bit to drag that one up idler?

[phil old leake]

Did Snot

[phil old leake]

Sid snot

[idler]

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.

[SydneyRover]

He moved to the UK in 49 wiki says, I have only vaguely heard of him, I know Sid Snot better.

[idler]

He was a decent actor and played Henry 8th in an ITV series which I think was in the 70s.

[Donnywolf]

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 

[belton rover]

I’d call it ‘Dave’ if I were you, Bobby G.

[scawsby steve]

I'd call it "Keith".

The comparisons are obvious.

[phil old leake]

Call him Al Wilson.  Maybe he likes Northern Soul

[BobG]

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

[Bentley Bullet]

Donald -  'that chuffing big horrid scary thing over the pond'...

[SydneyRover]

Sybil if it's female, had a look yet Bob?

[andy didcott]

Bumped into a snake a few days ago here in Turkey, wasn’t a grass one I know that, shat myself.

[BobG]

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

[Ye-Aul-Tavern]

Anyone else waiting curiously for an update from Bob?  How's the snake?