‘Refuges’ are flat objects placed on the ground in a sunny spot – they absorb warmth from the sun and also provide cover from predators, making them perfect places for reptiles.
Sheets of corrugated tin or roofing felt are ideal, but slate roof tiles are less obtrusive in smaller or more traditional gardens. By occasionally lifting these refuges you may get a chance to see some of our more elusive species.
Successfully attracting lizards and grass snakes into gardens is pretty tricky, since it depends largely on whether there are any populations locally. However, there’s nothing to stop you trying – at the very least you will attract lots of other wildlife in the process.
Find more tips and tricks in our free ‘Surveying for Reptiles’ booklet.