Ditton Quarry Local Nature Reserve in August
 

The Common lizard (Lacerta vivipara, pictured at bottom of page) - has the ability to shed its tail in order to fool predators when threatened. They grow up to 18cm in length and are found in a range of habitats including woodland, marshes, heathland, moors, sand dunes, hedgerows, bogs and rubbish dumps. Common lizards hunt insects, spiders, snails and earthworms. They stun their prey by shaking it, and then swallow it whole. Look out for them basking in the sun, on rocks, the quarry.

Slow worms (Anguis fragilis, pictured below) - superficially look like snakes, but are actually legless lizards - they have eyelids. In Britain, they are commonest in Wales and the south west of England, but have been spotted on the reserve. Slow worms prefer humid habitats, including grassy meadows, gardens, farmland, woodland margins and open fields. They can also be found in rural gardens and commonly fall prey to domestic cats. Unlike the lizard they are not often seen basking in the sun and prefer to hide under rocks and logs.  
 

		Litter can kill wildlife. This Violet ground beetle, (Carabus violaceus), has become trapped and died inside a discarded drink bottle on the reserve (below). Left is a violet ground beetle photographed on the reserve, feeding.
Can you spot the difference this month?   The recently introduced Harlequin beetle (Harmonia axyridis) and the endemic Seven spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) in the wild flower meadow just inside the gateway to Ditton Court Local Nature Reserve.

Common lizard on Ditton Court Local Nature Reserve

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Text by Dr Michelle Fountain.
Pictures by Michelle Fountain and Adam Whitehouse.