
346. A quest to find Britain's only venomous snake, the adder
From The Plodcast by Our Media
April 14, 2026 · 1h 2m · Season 19 · Episode 47
About this episode
The episode explores the quest to find Britain's only venomous snake, the adder, with insights from local expert Nigel Hand.
This week we're in the Malverns in Worcestershire to try to find Britain's only venomous snake – the adder. Plodcast host Fergus Collins is guided by local adder expert Nigel Hand, who has spent much of his life working to protect these increasingly rare reptiles.Discover the secret life of the adder and learn why we need to respect – and even love – this springtime jewel.Photo: Steve SayersOur Facebook page is back! Search "BBC Countryfile Magazine - Plodcast Community" or join the discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/countryfilemagazineplodcast/?ref=shareThe BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards Special Interest Podcast of the Year 2024 & 2025 and the PPA Podcast of the Year 2022. If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: theplodcast@countryfile.com. If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. The Plodcast is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. The theme tune was written and performed by Blair Dunlop…
People in this episode
Host: Fergus Collins
Guest: Nigel Hand
Topics covered
- venomous snakes
- nature conservation
- wildlife
- reptiles
- springtime
Keywords
- adder
- venomous snake
- Malverns
- Worcestershire
- nature
- wildlife conservation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: BBC Countryfile Magazine, Plodcast, PPA
Places: Malverns, Worcestershire
More episodes of The Plodcast
- Sound Escape 277. Be calmed and cooled by rainfall in an ancient woodland · June 12, 2026 · 21 min
- 354. Chelsea Flower Show Special part 2: In the ancient woodland garden at the show · June 9, 2026 · 36 min
- Sound Escape 276. The vibrant bird-chatter of an African island · June 5, 2026 · 14 min
- 353. Chelsea Flower Show Special part 1: Exploring Penn Wood, the inspiration for the Woodland Trust's Chelsea Garden · June 2, 2026 · 55 min
- Sound Escape 275. The enchanted buzz of a honeysuckle plant · May 29, 2026 · 16 min
- 352. Escape to the stunningly beautiful wilds of Torridon in the Scottish Highlands · May 26, 2026 · 57 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Plodcast podcast page.