Naturewatch update ...

On our patio late last night. Tiny little thing about 3 inches long and like a little stick.
Nearly got squashed by Finch !!

 

Do you think it's a smooth newt?

 

Don't know.
Looking at pics on Google it may be a common lizard.

 

That’s what it is

 

What part of the country are you in? Good to see that.

 

Were loads of them along the old railway lines when I was a nipper, usually see em inspection manholes that ran along the lines.

 

North of Lincoln.

 

That looks like our Tiny! I call him that because he’s my newt...............I know, I know. Red card

 

White Pheasant, they release a few every year.

 

& thi Coit.

 

Is it rural? I had a fish pond at our previous garden at darfield, had frogs newts dragon flies. Put a small pond in here at Ardsley about 4 years ago no amphibians yet, but it's certainly true that if there's some water the wildlife will come.

 

Did you get as p155ed as it?

 

Saw this one near Taunton.

 

Yes we are rural.
And yes we have a fish pond in the garden, we get frogs and toads, frogspawn every year, we had one newt a couple of years ago and even an occasional visit from a heron.

 

In my reply then there was meant to be an emoji for a chuckle!

 

I bought something off Ebay and unknowingly but happily supported this charity. Www.ukwildlife.net
Found this.
Common Lizard Lacerta vivipara
Common Lizard (Lacerta vivipara)
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DescriptionThe Common Lizard (also known as viviparous lizard) can live almost anywhere, but they prefer reasonably warm places with good basking sites. Adults can reach 14 cms and colouration can include shades of brown, grey and dark green. They are insect eaters and also eat small snails. Unlike newts, for which they are sometimes mistaken, lizards have dry skin. They are most easily found in springtime, when they are emerging sleepily from hibernation. By mid summer, lizards are quicker at scampering away when they are approached.IMAGES COURTESY OF IAN, CHRIS IOM BIRDING

Size: Approximately 10 to 15 cms (inc tail).

Distribution: Found throughout the UK.

Months seen: March to October.

Habitat / Ecology: Grassland, heathland and sand dunes.Common lizards prefer warm sheltered habitats with nearby dry places where they can bask in the sunshine. In Wales they are often seen in and around dry stone walls or along railway tracks, where they bask on the stone ballast beside and between the tracks.


The majority of sightings have been on grassland, hedgerows, woodland edges, road and railway embankments. Common lizards emerge from hibernation sometimes as early as mid- February if the weather is mild. Initially they will spend long periods basking and they start to mate in April and May. The males are territorial and compete for the females, fights being commonplace. Eggs are retained in the body and 4-10 live young are born under cover, in late July or August in a membranous sac. The young lizard ruptures the membrane with a special egg-tooth and is independent of the mother.
Diet: Small insects and spiders.Common lizards eat a variety of insect and other invertebrate species.

Description

Common lizards can be mistaken for newts but are more alert and quick moving if disturbed. They also have a dry scaly skin. Common lizards can reach a length of 18cm (7 inches) but this is rare and most are much smaller. They are variable in colour ranging from brown or yellow-brown to almost green. These green Common lizards should not be confused with Sand lizards. Male Common lizards often have darker backs with a broken striped pattern and a variable number of pale dots edged with black called ocelli. They have yellow or orange bellies which are spotted. with black markings. The female is paler, with a few scattered ocelli and some females have a continuous stripe along the centre of the back. The belly is pale yellow, usually lacking spots. The most reliable method for distinguishing between the sexes is to look for the swelling at the base of the tail in the male. Young Common lizards are very dark coloured compared to the adults and have two rows of pale spots down their back.

Special features: The common lizard is also known as the Viviparous Lizard. They can be found lying on stones or logs in the sunshine, because they need the heat of the sun to warm their bodies. This makes them more active, and able to hunt for their food. Common lizards are good swimmers.Female common lizards are viviparous. This simply means she retains fertilised eggs inside her body until they are almost ready to hatch. This helps to keep the eggs warm. When the time is right she lays the eggs, and within seconds the young lizards hatch out. The smooth snake, the adder and the slow worm are also viviparous.FAQS ?

Common lizards have an amazing way to escape capture from predators. If caught by the tail, they simply snap it off at a joint near the base, leaving the predator holding just the tail. The lizard can grow a new tail... if it lives long enough.

Protection status

Some protection under the Berne Convention as to their exploitation.

Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 5. from trade, injury and killing

 

That's brilliant... thank you very much.
If I see him again I'll be able to tell him what I now know about him !!!
The one I met the other night was obviously not expecting to have me leering down on him. He didn't have time to run away.

 

He's lucky to share your garden. His family and yours should benefit.