Is this a grass snake?

[Baggagerack]

I saw this in my garden yesterday. I’m hoping it’s a grass snake but all the photos I’ve found online show yellow markings round the head area but this one had a white band round its neck. The rest of it looks like a grass snake I think, and I can’t find any other snakes that have a band marking except a fairly small American one. So I’m hoping all you gardening folk will be more familiar with grass snakes than I am. I just want to be assured it’s a native grass snake and not someone’s pet on the loose. The photo’s not brilliant but it caught me by surprise and was moving at a fair old rate.

Looks more like an Adder?

Yes that’s a grass snake.

Adders have a black zigzag down their backs.

It is a grass snake - yellow collar is diagnostic.

I've just been staring at the piece of straw thinking you were mad 🤣🙈

@LST

I've just been staring at the piece of straw thinking you were mad 🤣🙈

I did the same!

Piece of straw 🤣🤣🤣

Likewise. I was thinking 'It's a fucking twig. Why is no one telling her it's a twig?'

@GreenPlum

Likewise. I was thinking 'It's a fucking twig. Why is no one telling her it's a twig?'

Me too!

Thank you all posters. Not only have you confirmed it is indeed a grass snake, much to my relief, you've given me a great laugh over the twig, I was so preoccupied with the snake I hadn't even noticed it. I just hope there's not more of them living in the compost.

If you have a pond with frogs or fish, then you might just have a pond now. I'm quite jealous of you having a grass snake, though.

This is a good thread! I doubt know what kind of snake it is. I did see it first time but went back to find the twig. Hilarious!

Just spent 2 mins staring at the twig and then after reading the first comment I had to go back and look again 😂😂

Yep, I had to zoom in and out a couple of times before I realised it wasn't the twig

Yep it’s definitely a twig 🤣

Yes I was thinking "silly woman, the neighbour's stick insect has escaped"

Jealous.

We had an adult one in our pond a few weeks ago, it was after the tadpoles. Fish seem to have survived its appearance 🤞🏻, haven’t seen it since.

No idea about the snake just another vote for staring at the twig like dam that’s a small snake 😂 Finally clocked it when I zoomed in more !

I can’t see a snake

@GreenPlum

Likewise. I was thinking 'It's a fucking twig. Why is no one telling her it's a twig?'

Me too

I don't see a snake!! Is it that long thin thing in the centre of the pic?

Borderstotheleftofme It’s definitely there, right up against the wall.

Hahaha everyone is seeing the twig! Me included 😳

Hahah. I see it now!!
Definitely a grass snake.