Adders Up

What we do

Adders Up

The European adder, Vipera berus, is one of Britain’s most iconic animals, important to both natural and cultural heritage. However, recent studies show that adder populations are in widespread decline. The Make the Adder Count Survey monitored 260 adder sites across the UK and the results suggest that all small adder populations could be extinct by 2032. An International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment of amphibians and reptiles by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) also indicates that, in England, adders are now vulnerable to extinction.

Despite their importance and their vulnerable status, little is known about adder populations in the North Pennines. Adders Up is a three-year project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Northumbrian Water Branch Out Fund to develop new insights into adder populations across the North Pennines National Landscape and beyond. The primary aims of the project are to:

Address the misconceptions and myths about adders by engaging with schools, the arts sector, and communities within the North Pennines National Landscape
Locate adder ‘hotspots’ by engaging audiences new to wildlife recording
Survey for adders and their habitats by training volunteers and mapping the distribution of adder populations more accurately to better protect habitat
Encourage sensitive land management and enhance the connectivity of adder populations whilst championing the local knowledge and experience of landowners and managers across the National Landscape
Share our work and best practices with organisations and communities within the North Pennines and beyond

How can I get involved?

We would love for anyone spending time in the North Pennines National Landscape to submit records of adders, or any other reptiles and amphibians they may see to iRecord. This is a free, easy-to-use platform to upload wildlife sighting records without having to set-up an account.

Alternatively, you can email records directly to our Conservation Officer, Henry Barrett. Please include WHAT you saw, WHERE and WHEN you saw it, along with any other details which might be relevant.

Please be aware that adders are very easily disturbed. We ask people not to take close-up-pictures of adders. Disturbance puts un-due stress on the animal, particularly when they are gravid (carrying young). If you do see an adder, please remember ‘SSS’ – Stop, Step back, Smile. They are shy and will usually move away into the undergrowth as soon as they see or hear you coming. Please also keep dogs on leads where adders may be present. For your safety and theirs, please do not handle the reptiles or amphibians that you encounter.

Identification

The adder is the most northerly species of viper and is found across much of northern and western Europe. They are the only venomous snake in the British Isles.

Adults are usually 60 – 80cm long, with a zigzag pattern along the centre of the back and a ‘V’ or ‘X’ shaped mark on the head. Males are generally smaller than females, with grey and black markings. Females are typically light and dark brown.

To learn more about the identification of adders, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust have a fantastic resource on the identification of reptiles found in the British Isles.

Adders Up Events

Weardale Wildlife Group — On Saturday, 27 April 2024 we met with the Weardale Wildlife Group for a talk and walk event for the Adders Up project. Over 20 wildlife-keen people attended to learn more about adder ecology and the aims of the project. The sun was shining and we were able to get out and enjoy the spring weather while spotting suitable adder habitat.

Stanhope Barrington CofE Primary School — We have had a fantastic day (14 May 2024) with Reception and Year 1 children from Stanhope Barrington CofE Primary School learning about adders. We used the painted stones to discover more about adder identification, ecology, threats and how we can help adders in the North Pennines National Landscape. We made adder key chains and explored Ashes Quarry playing “If I was an adder” identifying good habitat options. The children were keen to become adder advocates.