Natrix natrix "persa" Staffordshire UK

Yesterday I visited a site in Staffordshire which is known to contain many striped individuals - believed by some to be feral Balkan grass snakes (N.n.persa). I found three specimens in total - one of which displayed typical persa traits, one typical British helvetica, and one possible intermediate form.

Two males photographed in situ. One typical N.n.helvetica and one possible helvetica/persa hybrid?

Typical British form (N.n.helvetica)

Persa phenotype.

Common Toad Breeding Season 2016

Lots of male Common Toads (B.bufo) out and looking for mates in Lancashire today. A few females around too, mostly with males in amplexus.