Lizard in the Wicklow Mountains

hibby

We saw a lizard today on the slopes of Djouce Mountain, a brownish-green little fellow about 5 inches long (mostly tail). No doubt the warm sunshine had enticed him out to sun himself on the rocks. We had a good long look at him before he made a dash for shelter and ran under the boardwalk. It was my first time ever to see a lizard in Ireland!

Roen

I see some out in the sand dunes in Tramore from time to time, probably the same lads. They usually bask on the bloody styrofoam that finds it's way on to the beach

Alun

I occasionally spot one out in the Wicklow Mountains in various places. They're not that common though.

artieanna

I remember when I was young (a while back I'm afraid) there was a swampy spot at the edge of a bog where there were quite a few of those small lizards. You'd only see them at a certain time of the year. however that spot has since dried up and I've not seen a lizard since:( ....

So I'm glad to hear that there are some still about:) ...

boneless

Used to see them a lot around the old lead mines near the Wicklow gap. I think it's the only reptile native to Ireland. Clarification on this anyone?

Alun

boneless wrote:

Used to see them a lot around the old lead mines near the Wicklow gap. I think it's the only reptile native to Ireland. Clarification on this anyone?

http://www.iwt.ie/lizards1.php

artieanna

great link there alun

King.Penguin

artieanna wrote:

I remember when I was young (a while back I'm afraid) there was a swampy spot at the edge of a bog where there were quite a few of those small lizards. You'd only see them at a certain time of the year. however that spot has since dried up and I've not seen a lizard since:( ....

So I'm glad to hear that there are some still about:) ...

that may have been a newt. But certainly could have been a lizard. I'm no lizard.

I'm jealous to be honest, never seen a lizard (reptile) or a newt (amphibian like frogs) in ireland. Thank god St Patrick took mercy on them and didn't banish the m like their serpent brethren

dogmatix

Just noticed this thread today. I only became aware of lizards in this country about 3 years ago when I came across a dead one in Ballinteer in south dublin. I was very surprised at the time as I assumed there where no native cold blooded retiles in this country. This dead lizard was tiny - about 2/3 thirds the size of my thumb. I have since spotted a second living one recently in glendalough.

In case anyone is compiling a register of lizard spottings in ireland...

Alun

dogmatix wrote:

In case anyone is compiling a register of lizard spottings in
Ireland...

There's a link on that web page I linked to above to a survey sheet (word document) you can download, fill in, and email off to the IWT who are running a survey themselves at the moment.

spfeno

Seen quite a few years ago when we used to go on holidays to West Kerry (Dunquin) - you would see them down on the beach and up the mountains hiding in the gorse bushes - they're extremely fast !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!