They may not be the most popular creatures, but adders are to be allocated their own home in an unusual move by Denbighshire County Council.

A report to next week’s cabinet meeting says that the adder population at Loggerheads is currently being surveyed and a small number of juvenile snakes has been recorded.

“This is a good sign, but it will be several years before these are sufficiently developed to have young. For this reason the population remains very vulnerable,” say officers.

Work has begun, however, on creating a new roadside nature reserve at Boncyn Foel Bach, Hiraethog, to protect the species, which is Britain’s only venomous snake.

“The report continues: “This will be the first roadside nature reserve in the county specifically set up to protect an animal rather than a plant community or species.”

Meanwhile the massive fire which covered Llantysilio Mountain during the summer is expected to have a significant impact on the number of black grouse.

The blaze in July and August covered 247 hectares – the size of 247 rugby pitches – and the mountain is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its heather moorland habitats and upland breeding birds.

The council’s corporate performance plan states: “It is anticipated that some heathland plants will grow back from roots that have survived the fire or from the seeds.

“However, the peatland areas are likely to take much longer to re-vegetate and some areas may not recover naturally.”