Scottish Adder Survey

We have recently published our Research Report 1376 - Status of the adder in Scotland (2022-24) - re-survey and comparison with the 1994 study. This report outlines a collaborative partnership between NatureScot, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC), and Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK), and aimed to re-assess the status of the adder in Scotland 30 years after the first assessment was carried out, and compare the results. This was carried out through a combination of a nationwide questionnaire and site surveys, and also took into account previous records of adders across Scotland.

 

In the current survey, the majority of questionnaire respondents indicated no perceived changes in adder populations over the last 10 years, however, many respondents believed adders to be less common in that 10-year period, rather than more common. The reported changes in land use were predominantly afforestation and agriculture, though with notable references to conservation measures such as habitat restoration and rewilding efforts. The number of 10km squares occupied by adders in Scotland has declined significantly since 1994, though the range remains broadly the same as previously reported. Results from the field surveys showed the same proportion of sites as being occupied by adders in both surveys. However, at sites surveyed across both studies, there was an overall reduction in observed adder occupancy between the two time periods. It has been recommended that a consistent network of sites is monitored for adders and other reptiles over time to provide reliable baseline data on occupancy and population trends.

 

Thank you to all the questionnaire participants and surveyors, as well as everyone who has submitted adder records in Scotland.

Read our Adder web page.