Diaries of Barmoor
By Sylvia Bower - 03 August 2011
Could this be a first for Barmoor
On Sunday 22nd July him indoors (or Ken as most people know him!!!) was taking it easy (again)! and enjoying the beautiful sunshine, (and yes this was an actual Summer day in Northumberland North-East England!!!)
When to his great surprise he was joined by a little friend, this was of the four legged variety, quick movements, long tail and pointy head, but thankfully not furry!! it was in fact a Lizzard.
I was just ambling along towards the caravan when I saw wild gesticulations for me to be quiet and hurry up!! and ther it was just basking in the sunshine right next to Ken, we couldn't believe our eyes. We are used to seeing Lizzards in far sunnier climates but hadn't at this point realised that we had them here in this country.
We took a couple of photographs (see guests gallery) and even got our neighbour David to come and take a look. During all of this activity 'Alfie' as he was to become known as
(not my idea I might add!!) just continued to enjoy the sun, occasionally moving position, and after about twenty minutes disappeared very quickly into a tiny crevice beneath the cycle box clearly knowing his way!!
Ken has looked this up on the internet and it would appear that it is a 'Common Lizzard' which we do have in this country but in fact is not that common and it is also a protedted species. The female is slightly bigger than the male and produces her young in July/August, Alfie was about 16-17cm. and slim bodied so we thought that it was either male or a young Lizzard.
sadly we have not seen him again but are ever hopeful.
Ken has spoken to a couple of people around the park who have either seen Lizzards themselves or know someone who has seen them in this country but not at Barmoor. So I guess this is another member of our wildlife family that we can add to the list that we see around this 'Wonderful Haven'
