something slithery!

[hamsterqueen]

in my compost bin.

It may be a slow worm or a grass snake, I didn't hang around long enough to find out, even the pictures in the wildlife guide book were freaking me out.

I now lob the veg peelings in from a distance and I think my husband will have to dig the compost out from the bottom!

What with that, the fox cubs under the shed and the odd frog hopping around I am thinking of opening the garden as a wildlife park!

[lainey lou]

Don't be scared hamsterqueen poor critter probs much more terrified than you! Go on, be brave go and take a peek, get a photo if you can.

[hamsterqueen]

I have a HUGE fear of snakey things, I don;t think I have moved so fast in years!!

[lainey lou]

We have slow worms in the garden evrey year, the fist time I saw one I was a bit scared cause it was fully grown and I wasn't sure what it was, but now I get quite excited about them.
Can you get anyone else to have a look for you Hamsterqueen?

[hamsterqueen]

I am trying to persuade my son to do it!!

May cost me a new pair of trainers though

[smallblueplanet]

We had a grass snake in the garden, but only once. I knew there was something different in the border cos the sparrows were setting off a-squabbling around where it was. It was very pretty. I envy you your snakey thing hamsterqueen, do try and overcome your phobia, they're fascinating things.

I ran out to get a photo, then realised I'd got no shoes on! Nipped back inside to be sensible, by which time the snake had started to retreat so I didn't get a great shot.

[armadillo]

Wow, I'm jealous, I'd love a snake in the garden. You've got a compost bin with built-in rat & mouse protection!

[SueA]

I think I'd have jumped as well Hamsterqueen even though I like snakes etc. it's still a bit of a shock to come face to face with one where you don't expect it! The only thing I've found in the compost bin so far was a frog hibernating in there one year, I left the compost until the following spring as I didn't want to disturb it!

[Phill]

I think you're really lucky and I would be straight out there with my camera.

Obviously the main reason for me taking on an allotment was for the fresh home grown produce but I'm becoming more and more amazed at the amount of wildlife that our site attracts. I heard a cuckoo the other day (I claan't remember the last time I heard one), I've seen a Fox at the bottom end of the site, numerous hedgehogs, toads and there's a Buzzard that soars over the woods to the back of the site.

I've installed a nest box on the side of my shed and fingers crossed something will make use of it one day.

[Two_Sheds]

You are so lucky! It's probably a slow worm (which is a lizard not a snake) and they eat LOADS of slugs. http://www.herpconstrust.org.uk/images/af1.jpg
They are completely and utterly harmless to you - and so beautiful. They are protected by law and you must not kill or injure them (not that you would). You are blessed to share your compost heap with them. Google Image Result for http://www.herpconstrust.org.uk/images/af1.jpg

[flowers]

sorry about the writing its just the way me and my friends talk to wach other...... im 12
x

sorry .... im just not used to it x

[jackie j]

Sorry flowers is much better at spelling than that im ashamed but thats how they all talk now !! Anyway my 2nd son ben used to catch slow worms etc and sneak them into the cellar hoping i wouldnt find out, but one of his brothers would always tell me and i would make him take them back to where he found them, he now has loads of snakes at home as well as frogs, stick insects and loads of other animals.

[lainey lou]

hello flowers, took me a while to decipher (must be getting old!)! Welcome!

[flowers]

sorry mum!!!

[lainey lou]

come on flowers, say it like you mean it!