It was photographed by Daily Echo Hampshire Camera Club member Adrian Peter Moore, who took to Facebook to post his picture of “the first of the warm sunshine adder”.
Adders typically hibernate from October until March.
They have garnered a scary reputation in England for being our only venomous indigenous snake – recognisable by its dark and very distinct zig-zag markings.
According to the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, the adder is quite a small and stocky snake that prefers woodland, heathland and moorland habitats.
The trust has also said the adder is the UK’s only venomous snake, but its venom is generally of little danger to humans.
An adder bite can be painful and cause inflammation to the area of the bite, but it is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old.
The New Forest National Park Authority says that adders are common and widespread in the open areas of the New Forest.