I suspect the chap was less than sober and/or somewhat overoptimistic about the quantity and species of snakes he was hoping to encounter.
Best way to find snakes (native UK species are shy of humans) is actually not to “go looking for them” – they aren’t daft and avoid humans, so floundering about in the mud won’t work very well (and if he did annoy a female adder (the young are born around this time), very unwise!)
In 1999 I actually saw a black adder (they do exist!) in South Oxfordshire – according to English Nature I was very lucky as they are rare these days.
Add an Adder – Black Adders
Be careful when going for a piss at raves in FC managed areas – Forestry encourage adders….
