Snake chases frog as husband feeds birds in Derbyshire garden

In Long Eaton, Derbyshire, a peculiar incident unfolded when Brian Pickbourne, a pensioner, was startled by a snake chasing a frog in his garden. While laying out bird feed, he noticed the frog leaping towards him, closely followed by the snake. Concerned that the snake might be an adder, a venomous species, he hurried inside for safety. His wife, Margaret, who was inside at the time, rushed to his aid after he called for help. Margaret quickly grabbed her phone to document the scene, describing the frog as 'the most frightened' she had ever seen. The frog eventually escaped back into the garden, but Margaret remained alert, suspecting the snake was still nearby. She initially found it hard to believe her husband’s account of being chased by both a snake and a frog, thinking he was joking until she witnessed the snake's tail disappearing behind some logs. The couple, both in their 70s, maintain a well-kept garden with a small pond that attracts frogs. After the initial shock, they managed to contain the snake in their garden to prevent it from entering neighboring properties. Their daughter later shared Margaret's photo online, which helped identify the snake as a grass snake, a non-venomous species commonly found in the UK. This unusual encounter highlights the unexpected interactions between wildlife and humans, especially in well-maintained gardens that provide habitats for various creatures. The couple's experience serves as a reminder of the fascinating yet sometimes startling nature of local wildlife.