A pilot survey for the grass snake Natrix natrix helvetica on the Island of Jersey (Channel Islands)

Cranfield, Jon; Lewis, Todd

Abstract

In late September 2006 we conducted a survey over 4 days on the Island of Jersey to preliminary investigate areas containing the rare and elusive grass snake (Natrix natrix helvetica). The aim of the survey was to inspect the major known habitats for the grass snake on Jersey in order to provide recommendations for future surveying and to conduct Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) at sites that would help determine an enhanced protocol for future surveys anticipated for 2007. We investigated several habitats on the island believed to contain grass snakes. We encountered 2 specimens from 2 separate areas and discovered habitats likely to contain grass snakes. This report summarises the above findings and provides commentary on the effectiveness of survey methods for grass snakes on the Island.
The survey was approved and permitted by Nina Hall of the Jersey State Environment Division based at Howard Davis Farm, Route de la Trinite, Trinity.

• Report Type: Consultancy Report
• Publication Date: 2006
• Deposit Date: Sep 23, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 26, 2022
• Pages: 14
• Keywords: Grass snake, Natrix natrix helvetica, Jersey, ecology, population, habitat, survey
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10003922
• Related Public URLs: https://www.gov.je/Environment/pages/default.aspx