Finvoy couple find lizard on wall

But when William and Jill McKinney came out of their house the other day, they were confronted by a sight they thought might only be applicable to another continent - a tiny lizard on the exterior wall of their home on the Long Lane, Mullan Road, Finvoy.

Naturally, startled by such a sight, both thought it could be a Gecko or Newt.

However, it has been confirmed that it is a common lizard who, according to Jill, range across central and northern Europe (but are absent from the Mediterranean area) and through to northern Asia, being the most common lizard in Northern regions.

These are actually the only reptile native to Ireland.

William and Jill were both in Australia recently and thought that somehow they might have brought it back with them. They now know that not to be the case.

Carrying out a little bit of research, Jill says that common lizards are active during the day and spend the morning and afternoon (but not the intense heat of midday) basking in the sun either alone or in groups.

Common lizards hibernate from October to March. They will often hibernate in groups, and sometimes emerge for a brief time during warm spells.

Both William and Jill say that the lizard is totally harmless and lovely to look at and must have come out with the recent good weather. At present, it nestles high on a wall and though they haven't tried to catch it, they are more than happy to let it stay - outside their home in the meantime!