One of the less obvious summer treasures of the reserve is the reptile population – common lizards, grass snakes and slow worms lurk around here. By and large they are secretive and inconspicuous, usually only basking in the sun long enough to warm up before going about their business, and never too far from cover to retreat into. I always feel privileged to come across any one of them, even if the encounter is only for a few seconds. They don’t tolerate much disturbance or intrusion and usually make themselves scarce before you see them, with a quiet rustle and a glimpse of a quickly disappearing tail the only hint of their presence. A week or so ago I took a walk down the Turf Path from the car park when the late afternoon sun was still reaching over the hedge onto the track. I had only got a few dozen paces before spotting a lizard sunbathing on the fence woodwork near ground level, then I noticed another, then another... Adults and juveniles were holding out for the last rays to gain a bit more body heat to see them a little further through the day. Some of them were this year’s tiny offspring, almost dwarfed by the noon flies which one day might make a decent snack if they’re not quick enough. One adventurous individual had ascended a fence post and was basking on top, perhaps more determined than the rest to not waste a second of that big sky. They can be very tolerant of the intrusion if you creep closer to get a better look – up to a point, and any sudden movement will send them they scurrying for cover. However, if that happens there’s a good chance that if you wait a few minutes at a respectful distance it will creep back, check that danger has passed and take up its favourite position again. I was able to get take a few photos before this beautiful jewel of a creature had decided to call it a day – truly the magic hour.