Nessie in Sussex

[Martin]

well - a miniature version!
This afternoon, whilst leaning on a little bridge that runs over a shallow stream, I saw a small "bow wave" - I thought it was a fish, but suddenly up came a snake's head - it ploughed through the water for several feet with the head held very much like Nessie.........
It then stopped for a minute or so with it's head up, apparently basking in the patch of sun, then slowly slid underwater, and swam off underwater
It was around 15-18" long, and about the diameter of my thumb - colour? - dark! - it looked black as it swam underwater.
What am I seeing - watersnakes, serpents, demented eels?

[Muddypause]

Probably a grass snake, which are excellent swimmers, and will feed on frogs and the like. But adders can swim pretty well, too, if they have to - I've seen an adder swimming in a Sussex stream.

[Martin]

thanks Muddy - it was one of those "coo, haven't seen that before" moments, and wondered if it was native or an escaped pet

[Jack]

Gidday

Could it be the demented one that saw this thing?

[mrsflibble]

thanks Muddy - it was one of those "coo, haven't seen that before" moments, and wondered if it was native or an escaped pet

"coo, haven't seen that before" for me is usually synonymous with "coo, wonder if I can eat it?"