Slow Worms and clearing land

[dgillings]

I've planned to strip bare my overgrown allotment this weekend, with the user of a petrol strimmer (glad I've got a friend who's a landscape gardener - it's cheaper than hiring)

I'm a little worried though. On digging over just 2 sq metres manually I found 4 or 5 slow worms (juveniles I think) So I've done a little reading up. They prefer long grass and bramble patches to hide in - so exactly what my allotment is!

My question is - has anyone got any ideas how I can clear this land without disturbing or more importantly killing them??

[dgillings]

[keef]

They like hiding under things, like sheets of tin etc, so move all that first. I suspect they'll move off as soon as you start clearing.

[giantseye]

They should move away in time due to the vibration of the strimmer.

However, I'd leave a small area alone so that they can retreat into that. 

Your very lucky to have these on your lottie!!

[MattD]

I've always wanted to see a slow-worm.  I remember when my parents got a lottie in the early 70's they were convinced we'd find some as we cleared it, but we never did.

Allegedly there have been slow-worms seen at my site, but I've found none so far.

My understanding is that they're pretty fast, so unless you're a demon with a strimmer they'll probably be long gone by the time you get there.

[saddad]

Again leave a refuge, even if it is only a bit of that tin sheet for them to run off to... hedgehogs are more likely strimmer victims as they will roll up if frightened..
:'(

[tilts]

I have had a 'family' of slow worms on my plots, under carpets and in my dry compost stack (I have a dry and a normal, covered stack).
They are extremely fast and once they are disturbed scuttle away, however, i have lots of areas that they can retreat to.
I would advise you to lay something, even if it is flattened cardboard box at the end of whatever you strim.  If they don't scuttle away in the first instance as you 'methodically' clear your plot towards the haven that you have provided all should be well and i agree, hedgehogs will be more of a problem, worth walking the walk before strimming, good luck tho' the weather is set fair this weekend.

[missy]

Hello,

They will be looking for some cover at this time of year. If you supply some areas with large stones, cardboard, carpet or some compost heaps you will find that they move into these areas. They like to burrow at this time of year prior to hibernation. They are absolutely wonderful and you will find that if you've got them then they will eat loads of slugs for you.

Only prob is that they attract hedgehogs who act like little tanks and completely deplete the area of slow worms and then move on.

from missy

[artichoke]

My main worry is slow worms in my compost heaps. I have sometimes attacked the heap rather enthusiastically and dented hem. I am always cnscience stricken, help them into sheltered corners, and slow down.

I have never found them anywhere except in compost heaps over about  30 years.

[Robert_Brenchley]

They spend most of the day either underneath something or in a burrow. you don't often see them out and about.

[Lance-allott]

I also have them and caught one by accident when tilling when I first started out. I was absolutely mortified, it was my worst ever moment on the allotment, but fortunately the little fellow only sustained a tiny nick and was OK. Better than I was in fact!

I am just posting this just to say that while Slow worms are fast, it is still a good idea to check near obvious places like those mentioned in previous posts.

Hope this helps.

LA

[missy]

I think they are lovely. I wrote to London zoo when I was 5 asking if they had a spare one, that I could have! They wrote back saying they had none spare, but they did send me a lovely letter with lots of info.

I now live in the countryside and I have loads in my garden. They live under the concrete path which goes around my house during cold periods, but they out in the garden during hot times.
After a while you get to recognise them and learn where to find them.

from missy