There have been reports of 'unusually marked lizards' from the area around Folkestone for several years now. In May 2007, Julian Russell and Nigel Jarman discovered the truth...
As many readers of the blog will be aware, I have been keenly following the history of Kent's sand lizard. I have previously posted a summary of our current knowledge. There are two records for Folkestone Warren (1967) and a single record for Sandgate (1969). The latter is a verified record of a juvenile sand lizard that was observed by Keith Corbett.
In 1995, Anne Riddell visited Copt Point (just along the coast from the Warren) and recorded an unusually marked lizard. Anne was convinced that the animal was not a viviparous lizard. Could this have been one of the elusive sand lizards? Anne's description of the animal is as follows:
"Size of adult common lizard, tail shed at junction with body. Body and head stockier than common lizard.
Colouration: dorsal - brown
flanks and legs - apple green
flanks and belly - marbled (not spotted) cream and black, exactly like grass snake.
Hunting actively in grass tussocks for insects seen at 12” distance."
In 2004, another report was received from friends of Sean Hanna. This time the animal was seen at the top of the Warren. Sean reported the following:
"As promised, I have quizzed my friends who thought they saw a sand lizard in Folkestone. They thought it was too large to be a common lizard and that it was the wrong colour."
KRAG members have made several visits to the area (some examples are documented here: 6/9/04, 16/9/04, 24/9/04, 30/9/04). However, the habitat around the Warren does not look particularly appealing for sand lizards and although viviparous lizard, slow-worm and adder have all been recorded, sand lizard observations remain elusive. Over the years Eric Philp has also attempted to track the beasts down, but <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/calumma/iblog/C2026029206/E9948045/index.html">without success</a>.
There has been a suggestion that the Folkestone Warren records may originate from a failed introduction. But did the introduction really involve sand lizards? Back in 1996 Phil Shore told me an interesting story:
"Also I remember Lee mentioning large green lizards at Folkestone. Alan Cooper -the Burnt Oak Wood warden told me a number of Wall Lizards were released there by a pet shop owner who was unable to sell them. Given the unusually mild micro climate of the site it is possible the lizards are still there."
So, could the Folkestone mystery animals really be wall lizards? In our hunt for sand lizards we have tended to search the top of the Warren and there is one specific area lower down that has not been adequately surveyed. Earlier this year Julian Russell and Nigel Jarman visited the Warren and may just have solved the mystery:
"Having been alerted to the presence of green spotted lizards at [Folkestone Warren] by Peter Harnett via Nigel Jarman on Thursday 3rd May (Peter thought they might be Sand Lizard although views brief) I checked the site at lunchtim (1.00-1.15) on Tuesday 8th May and found three Wall lizard sunning themselves. A number of photos taken before they sun went in and the lizard retreating under a yellow door, Nigel Jarman saw them later although they quickly disappeared when the sun went in. Fantastic to see these Lizards in Kent as I went to Bournemouth last year to look for them. Subsequent emails to Lee Brady inform me they were known to KRAG and had been present for 20 years!! The cafe owner was please someone was taking interest in 'her' lizards - she said they had been there at least 5 year but she didnot know where them came from. She also said she had had adders in her cafe and in the ladies toilets which she just picked up with a litter picker and release unharmed.
Nice to see such a positive attitude."
Julian was also kind enough to email me the following photos. Well done to all and what a fantastic find!
In order to protect the site I have not identified the exact location of these observations. However, if you do visit Folkestone and see an unusually marked lizard please do let me know!
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