Hullo,
I have recently returned from a week in the Limousin region of France (near Chalus), and although not strictly a herp trip, as usual it turned into a lot of searching!
There was a mix of farmland, woodland, pine forest and some sort of upland heath combined with what looked like sweet chestnut plantations...seems like this is taking over a lot of natural habitat.
Anyway, here's a few photos from the trip - I am not a frog expert (or any expert really!) so any help with the pelophylax species would be much appreciated!
that was the main frog activity for this pool, oh, plus this new transport system for them...
I then found a couple more ponds connected by a little ditch. Again, help with identification please!
As I explored the area further, I noticed that some farmers had put netting up to protect some small berry bushes. In one of the nets lay the remains of a N.natix which had become stuck and was not able to get out - you can just make this out at the bottom of the picture.
Not only had this net killed a snake, but there was also a young blackbird that had become tangled up. Luckily it was still alive and I was able to set it free.
I also found another 2 dead natrix during the week - possibly killed by cats or people. Such a shame.
Anyway, I will post some more photos in due course...
Neil