French 'Holiday'

France, British isles

French 'Holiday'

Postby Neil Rowntree » Sun Aug 18, 2013 2:53 pm

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!

IMG_3025 (800x600).jpg
habitat

IMG_3021 (800x600).jpg
#1

IMG_3022 (800x600).jpg
same one

IMG_3023 (800x600).jpg
#2 - same species i guess?


that was the main frog activity for this pool, oh, plus this new transport system for them...

IMG_3097 (800x496).jpg
frog ferry


I then found a couple more ponds connected by a little ditch. Again, help with identification please!

IMG_3174 (800x599).jpg
Bombina variegata

IMG_3176 (800x600).jpg
#3

IMG_3178 (800x614).jpg
and again

IMG_3087 (800x516).jpg
#4


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.

IMG_3189 (800x645).jpg
death trap


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.

IMG_3099 (800x600).jpg
free as a bird


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
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Re: French 'Holiday'

Postby Mario Schweiger » Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:08 pm

What Pelophylax? Hard to say from the pics.
In the area you have been, P. ridibundus and P. esculentus occur and maybe also P. perezi.

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Re: French 'Holiday'

Postby GertJan Verspui » Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:09 pm

The Pelophylax look like March Frogs to me, but itis almost impossible to be sure from the photos.
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Re: French 'Holiday'

Postby Neil Rowntree » Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:15 pm

Hi Mario,

yeah, was aware esculentus and ridibundus were the two likely ones, and also that my pics probably wouldn't serve as suitable ID shots - but thought I'd see what anyone thought of the ones i'd numbered anyway.

Neil
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Re: French 'Holiday'

Postby Neil Rowntree » Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:19 pm

A continuation...

P.muralis were the most common herps in the area
IMG_3196 (800x605).jpg

IMG_3059a (800x442).jpg


Plus there were a number of supercharged green lizards, most of them were gone before I could even move for my camera.
IMG_3076 (800x599).jpg
P.bilineata


And finally, my only snake of the trip - V.aspis
IMG_3148 (800x394).jpg

IMG_3152 (800x540).jpg

IMG_3154 (800x543).jpg


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Re: French 'Holiday'

Postby Michal Szkudlarek » Sun Aug 18, 2013 5:02 pm

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

Same problem in the east.
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Re: French 'Holiday'

Postby Neil Rowntree » Sun Aug 18, 2013 7:58 pm

Same problem in the east.


It's so frustrating - plus i'm always thinking 'if only i'd been there earlier!'.
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