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H. Brown; Secretary and Treasurer, Miss I. F. Gravestock; Committee: Dr. T. E. T. Bond, Mr. C. H. Cummins, Mrs. N. Vaughan Davies, Dr. A. F. Devonshire, Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott, Dr. D. H. Peregrine, Miss A. M. Sampson and Dr. C. E. D. Smith. ' The wild plant table at the Museum continued to be much appreciated, and thanks are offered to Mr. N. Thomas and Mr. P. F. Bird of the Museum and to Mr. E. S. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Cummins, as well as to members who contributed specimens. \ the Annual General Meeting in the Small Geology Lecture Theatre on The following winter meetings were held during the year:— Jan. 26: Annual General Meeting and a Further Progress Report on the Somerset Flora by Capt. R. G. B. Roe; also Members’ Evening. Feb. 23: Guernsey and its Plants, by Dr. A. F. Devonshire. Oct. 26: Members’ Evening, with transparencies. Nov. 23: Conservation in Gloucestershire, by Dr. M. H. Martin. The following field excursions took place, the year being a particularly successful one both in ‘breaking’ new ground and in the species recorded. Leaders are shown below:— Mar. 7: Cheddar Gorge Lichens. Dr. D. H. Brown. Apr. 22: Penpole Point. Miss I. F. Gravestock. Arabis scabra still flourishing in quarry May 16: Woodchester Park, Breakheart Reserve and Frocester Hill. Mrs. B. Mack. Abundance of Convallaria majalis and Polygonatum odoratum in the reserve. June 2: St. Anne’s Board Mills and Bank of the Avon. Dr. D. H. Peregrine. June 9: Cleeve Wood. Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott. Ornithogalum pyrenaicum still abundant. June 13: Cromhall. Dr. D. H. Peregrine. July 8: Bristol Forest. Dr. A. F. Devonshire. July 17: St. George’s Wharf. Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott. Lathyrus nissolia Bupleurum tenuissimum, Ruppia maritima, and Alopecurus bulbosus still found. July 25; Hatchet Pond, Beaulieu, Hants. Dr. A. F. Devonshire and members of the Southampton Naturalists’ Society. This famous botanical locality yielded abundance of Ludwigia palustris (confined in Great Britain to the New Forest) Galium debile, Cicendia filiformis and Hypericum elodes. There were also Hammarbya paludosa, Illecebrum verticillatum, Radiola linoides and many other interesting species. Aug. 1: Round and about Weston Bigwood, Portishead. Mr. C. H. Cummins. This small area yielded an abundance of species, including Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum, Kickxia spuria, Kk. elatine, Aquilegia vulgaris and Epipactis helleborine. Sept. 5: Nettlebridge Valley and Edford. Miss I. F. Gravestock. Aconitum anglicum still in Stoke Bottom. Sept. 19: Fungus foray to Leigh Woods. Dr. T. E. T. Bond. Oct. 11: Fungus foray to Oare Hill. Mr. J. H. Kemp. I. F. GRAVESTOCK, Hon. Secretary. 6 REPORT OF GEOLOGICAL SECTION, 1970 in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. D. Hamilton; Vice-President, Mr. C. E. Leese; Hon. Secretary, Mr. A. B. Hawkins; Hon. Field Secretary, Mr. D. Hamilton; Committee, Professor D. L. Dineley, Student President of the University Geo- logical Society (both ex-officio), Mr. D. Addison, Mr. R. Bradshaw, Mr. A. E. Frey, Miss G. Garland, Mrs. M. Scawin, Mr. R. W. Ashley, Mr. N. H. Hollingsworth. Tin Annual Business Meeting of the Section was held on 21 January, 1970 After the Meeting, the retiring President, Mr. C. E. Leese, gave a lecture entitled ‘Cornwall, its geology and its people.’ Other lecture meetings were:— 26 February: Recent Movements in New Zealand Geology. Mr. D. Hamilton. 29 October: Coalmining in the Bristol District. Mr. G. A. Kellaway. 26 November: The Bristol Channel, its historical evolution and potential as a source of hydrocarbons. Mr. T. R. Owen. The following three field meetings took place:— 16 May: The Rhaetic and Lias of Sedbury Cliff, leader, Mr. D. Locke. 19 July: Geology of some road cuttings, leader, Dr. M. L. K. Curtis. 25-27 September: Coastal exposures in S. Pembroke, leader, Dr. P. L. Hancock. A. B. HAWKINS, Hon. Secretary. REPORT OF ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION, 1970 Chadwick and H. R. H. Lance were elected Presi- dent and Secretary respectively. Mr. S. M. Taylor was elected Assistant Secretary, and Messrs. W. G. Bigger and J. D. R. Vernon were elected to the Com- mittee, while Miss C. Graham, Mrs. C. E. Hughes and Messrs. A. E. Billett, H. R. Hammacott, A. D. Lucas, J. F. Rowe and D. Warden were re-elected. Mr. Billett was re-appointed Hon. Auditor. Later, Mr. T. B. STE atN Eee Silcocks was co-opted to the Committee. EE) Sees Seven indoor meetings were held, with an average attendance of 54. The subjects and speakers were: Jan. 16: Reflections of a Random Birdwatcher, by Mr. G. A. Forrest. Feb. 20: Swans and Swallows, by Dr. C. D. T. Minton. Mar. 18: Harry Savory’s Dutch Bird Slides, by Messrs. P. J. Chadwick and S. M. Taylor. Apr. 10: The B.T.O. Atlas of Breeding Distribution—Somerset and Bristol Area, a symposium. Oct. 7: Annual Fieldwork Meeting and Film, Birds of Teesmouth. Nov. 18: The Hawaiian Goose Restoration Project, by Dr. Janet Kear. Dec. 11: Joint Meeting with R.S.P.B. Birds of Turkey, by Mr. R. F. Porter. Field meetings were held at Steart and district (all-day, Apr. 26), Bourton Combe and Backwell Hill (May 7), Ashton Hill Plantation (May 21), Thornbury area (May 18), Clapton Moor (May 23), Abbot’s Leigh (June 1), Brockley Combe nN the 46th Annual General Meeting, Messrs. P. J. ze and Wrington Warren (June 20), St. George’s Wharf (July 31), Portland Bird Observatory (all-day, Oct. 4) and Chew Valley Lake (Dec. 27). We thank the leaders and helpers on these occasions, and also those members who have given hospitality to visiting speakers and helped in other ways. Members contributed to the following field projects: the B.T.O. Nest Record and Ringing Schemes, Common Birds Census, Birds of Estuaries Survey, Atlas of Breeding Distribution, and pilot study of winter transects; and to our own projects on the Birds of Bristol, Starling Roosts, Birds of Prey, Gulls of the R. Avon, Rookeries in S. Glos. and Shelduck. More members, skilled or unskilled, would be welcome to join in any of these activities. H. R. H. LANCE, Hon. Secretary. REPORT OF MAMMAL SECTION, 1970 were elected: President, Mr. A. F. Jayne; Secretary, Miss E. J. Lenton; Recorder, Mr. R. G. Symes; Library Committee member, Dr. D.H. Peregrine; Conservation Committee member, Mr. A. F. Jayne; Committee, Messrs. R. M. Curber, F. H. Rawlings and G. Walker. N the Annual General Meeting on 15 January, 1970 the following officers The following field meetings were held:— Feb. 1: Fox Spotting in Bristol, 4.0—6.0 a.m. Mr. F. H. Rawlings. Feb. 15: Spaniorum Farm. Miss E. J. Lenton. Mar. 15: Tidenham Chase. Mr. A. F. Jayne. Apr. 18: Field Work in the Oxford Area. (Joint General and Mammal meeting). Miss E. Hurrell. May 10: Ebbor Gorge. Mr. R. M. Curber. May 22, 29. June 5, 12, 19: Badger watches. Mr. A. F. Jayne. Aug. 23: Middle Hope. Mr. R. G. Symes. Sept. 13: Priddy Pools and Stockhill Plantation. Miss E. J. Lenton. Sept. 25-27: Pembrokeshire week-end. Miss E. J. Lenton. Nov. 15: Midford. Mr. R. M. Curber. Dec. 13: Long Wood. Mr. R. G. Symes. The following indoor meetings were held:— Feb. 17: The Care of Animals. Mr. D. Packham. Mar. 10: Film Evening. Oct. 3: Desert Mammals. Dr. R. J. G. Savage. Nov. 11: Hedgehogs. Dr. P. Morris. Dec. 8: Mongooses. Prof. H. E. Hinton. We were extremely sorry to say goodbye to Mrs. A. R. Holeton when she and her husband left for Canada early in the year. She had been Hon. Secretary to the Section since its formation in 1966 and it owes a great deal to her. E. J. LENTON, Hon. Secretary. ACCOUNT OF THE GENERAL MEETINGS, 1970 President, R. Bradshaw, on ‘‘Atlantis.’’ The various theories as to where this legendary land was to be found were examined, the evidence being strongly in favour of the Minoan theory. OQr« first meeting of the year on January 22 was addressed by the retiring Feb. 5: J. Burton spoke of the “Conservation of British Insects’ one branch of conservation often neglected. Mar. 5: R. Bassindale once more addressed us, this time on the ‘“‘Marine Life of the Severn Estuary.’’ He explained the transitional zones between fresh and salt water found in various estuaries and the consequent marine life, in particular that of the Severn Estuary. Mar. 13: Nature films were shown in the Colston Hall and their success was shown by an increase in our membership. Oct. 1: P. Tolson spoke on “‘Conservation”’ based on the 60 miles of the north Somerset coast from Porlock to Portishead. Dec. 3: R. J. Whitaker, Hydrologist to the Avon River Board gave us an outline of the whole of the work undertaken by river authorities—an aspect of “‘Fresh- water Conservation.” The missing monthly meeting from November was postponed to January 14th, 1971: G. STERNE, Hon. Secretary. GENERAL FIELD MEETINGS IXTEEN field meetings and one social evening were held during the year and Qeeved generally popular. A new and successful venture was a meeting devoted to marine biology. A list of the meetings with leaders and an indication of the things seen is given below. A fuller account is kept in the records of the Field Committee. In the following list the leader(s) is given first followed by the area visited. Feb. 8: I. H. Ford and A. F. Jayne. Asham Wood and Merehead quarry (near Frome). Fossils, minerals, small mammals and mosses. Mar. 1: B. King. The Bog of Tregaron (Central Wales). Birds including red kite, hen harriers, whooper swans and many others. Mar. 6 J. Barratt. Social Evening. Film, “Islands of the Bristol Channel”’. Mar. 27: D. A.C. Cullen, C. E. D. Smith, A. F. Jayne. Goblin Combe. Birds, trees, plants, geology, and mammals. Apr. 18: Miss E. Hurrell. A visit to the field centre for Oxford school- children, a2 walk through Wytham Woods, and a lecture on weasels by Miss King. May 8: D. A.C. Cullen. An evening walk from Publow to Lord’s Wood. Birds and Plants. ; May 31: H. G. Hockey. South Brecon Field Centre, near Glyn Neath. Birds and plants. June 17: H. G. Hockey. Penhow and Wentwood. Birds and plants. June 28: Miss R. C. Lee. Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water; a fine collection of birds, including free-flying macaws, humming-birds, etc. Guiting-Power, a Nature Reserve with a rich marsh flora and bird life. July 11: A. F. Devonshire. Savernake Forest. A forest park with a very well-documented history. July 22: Miss R. C. Lee. Canada Combe and Loxton. A rich chalk flora with birds and butterflies. Aug. 8: Miss C. Groves. Sand Bay, Middle Hope and Swallow Head. Birds and plants. Sept. 20: Mrs. Hill-Cottingham. Watermouth, near Ilfracombe. Marine Biology. Oct. 25: H. G. Hockey. Willetts Hill and Caldecott Wood (Brendons). Woods and woodland birds. Nov. 27: Miss R. C. Lee. Durleigh Reservoir (ducks, gulls, etc.). A walk along the beach from Minehead to Dunster (Shore birds and a water rail). Dec. 6: B. King. Abbotsbury Nature Reserve (Swans, ducks and gulls). Radipole Lake (Weymouth), Gulls, ducks, etc. and bearded tits. A. F. DEVONSHIRE, Hon. Field Secretary. Book Review The Birds of Exmoor by N. V. ALLEN This 64-page booklet, published by the Exmoor Press at 50p, is one of a series under the Editorship of Victor Bonham-Carter, dealing with various aspects of Exmoor. A three-page essay describes the topography of the region, the number of species and the main habitats. Then come sections on ‘Birds of special interest’— raptors, corvids, game birds, cliff-nesting seabirds, waders and ducks, thrushes, finches and warblers, and finally, some rarities. The main part is devoted to the first published check-list of the birds of the Exmoor National Park. The list includes 244 species or forms, of which 110 breed regularly and 84 are classified as rarities. Each has a short entry, sometimes a single sentence, summar- ising its status and distribution. In some cases an abbreviated description is added, though the purpose of this is obscure since none is given for many species, common and rare. The reader able unaided to identify Montagu’s or Hen Harriers should not need to be reminded that a Hobby is ‘much like a minature Peregrine’ (a species not itself described, and incidentally wrongly indexed). Some of the rarity records are doubtful candidates. A few are from Minehead, outside the National Park proper. The Honey Buzzard ‘must have been a scarce but regular summer resident in the early part of the last century’, but there are no literature records. The author admits that the Golden Eagle was omitted by E. M. Palmer and D. K. Ballance from the standard work, The Birds of Somerset (Long- mans, 1968), but he includes it on the strength of a sighting described at second hand by E. W. Hendy in Wild Exmoor. Despite these criticisms, those living on or visiting Exmoor will find this a handy little book, well worth the price. The text is enlivened by many bird drawings by Muriel C. Bentley, and includes twenty black-and-white photographs (plus one of Peregrine and chick on the cover), all of the excellent quality we associate with George Young’s work. S. M. Taylor. 10 OBITUARIES DOUGLAS GORDON GIBB Mr. Douglas Gibb’s unexpected death on 21st March, 1970, at the age of 57, came as a great shock to his many friends and colleagues. He had been a regular attender at committee and ordinary meetings of the Entomological Section of the Society except when his duties as Supervisor in charge of the BBC’s Control Room at Broadcasting House, Bristol, interfered. He had joined the BBC in the early days of the Corporation in 1929. A keen amateur entomologist, he joined the Society in 1960 and was elected to the Entomological Section’s Committee in 1962, of which he was a valued member. He built up a very fine collection of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, particularly from Gloucestershire. He regularly operated a mercury vapour light trap at his Almonds- bury home and in neighbouring areas; the flow of records from this activity has greatly enriched the Lepidoptera reports in the Proceedings and our knowledge of the moths of Gloucestershire. J. F. Burton. I. RioP. HESLOR With the death of Ian Heslop on 2nd June, 1970, just before his 66th birthday, the B.N.S. has lost not only one of its longest-serving members, but a leading British field entomologist. He had a remarkable knowledge of British butterflies, particularly the Purple Emperor and the very rare Large Blue. He discovered several new localities for the latter in S.W. England, including some in the Cotswolds and Somerset, and probably knew more about its distribution than anyone else. His extensive observations of the Purple Emperor were published in 1964 in his monumental book Notes and Views of the Purple Emperor, which he wrote in collaboration with G. E. Hyde and R. E. Stockley. He was also responsible for the much used and valued Check List of the British Lepidoptera, now a standard work. OBITUARIES 11 Apart from his entomological knowledge, he was a first class all- round field naturalist, and was a frequent contributor in recent years to BBC programmes. His widow, to whom we extend our deep sympathy, generously donated his entire collection of British and African Lepidoptera to the City Museum, Bristol. J. F. Burton. J. V. PEARMAN On his retirement from the Customs and Excise in 1951 he went to live at Aston Clinton so that he could carry out research work on the Psocoptera at Tring Museum. He was an authority on Psocidae with correspondents in the U.S.A., France and Germany; shortly before his death he had collaborated in the publication of a book on the Psocidae, published in France. He became a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society of London in 1927. G. R. PEARMAN. Miss A. M. SAMPSON Miss Sampson was a member of long standing and was from 1958 to 1969 a member of the Field Committee. From 1958 to her death she was a member of the Botanical Committee. She led eight botanical and three general field outings. I. F. GRAVESTOCK. Mrs. G. 8S. WAKEFIELD Mrs. Wakefield joined the Society in 1947. She was Field Secretary in 1951 and a member of the Field Committee from 1952 to 1960. She was a member of the Botanical Committee from 1953 to 1961. She was a very keen and active field botanist and had an extensive knowledge of plants. She led, or helped to lead, thirteen botanical and general field meetings. Her knowledge and helpfulness were greatly missed when her health no longer permitted her to take an active part in Society affairs. I. F. GRAVESTOCK. EDITORIAL” N Onis METRIC SYSTEM Metric figures are strongly encouraged in the Proceedings, either alone or accompanying Imperial units. Metrication in scientific journals is urged by the Royal Society and preference is being given to the Systéme International d’ Umtés (SI). The metre is a basic SI unit: centimetre is discouraged, but is, nevertheless appropriate for some purposes, millimetre is officially the next lower unit to the metre and kilometre is the next above. TYPING OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO ‘PROCEEDINGS’ Attention is drawn to a change in the INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS on page 1 of this volume part. All copy must be type- written with double spacing and good margins—this applies to all parts of the Proceedings. ‘This decision was made by the Council of the B.N.S. in order to save expense and delay in printing. STEEP HOLM TRUST ‘The papers in this issue on the Vegetation and the Spiders of Steep Holm emphasise the continuing interest in the island and the need for its conservation and its utilisation in education and science. Steep Holm, officially scheduled as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, is situated in the Bristol Channel to the west of Weston- super-Mare and has close historical links with the port of Bristol. The island is 870 metres (half a mile) long by 320 metres (less than a quarter of a mile) wide with its highest point at 78 metres (256 feet), it is made up mainly of Carboniferous Limestone. Steep Holm Trust holds its lease from the Wharton Estate and carries out a wide range of conservation activities; these are notable especially in connection with the famous peonies, the Gull Colony, the Gun Batteries and the 12th century Priory. Parties may visit the island only if accompanied by a leader who will be provided by the Trust. Applications must be made, preferably by early March, to Mrs. D. Mason (Tel.: Bristol 625416). J. W. Cowie, 25 July, 1071 13 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1970 By A. J. WILLIs (Department of Botany, University of Sheffield) HE meteorological records made at Long Ashton Research Station show that 1970 was a year of average weather, in respect of rainfall (total of 34-89 inches), temperature and _ sunshine. February, March and April were cold months, with many ground frosts, but May and June were warmer than average, June es- pecially being dry and sunny (14:7 hours of sunshine on 6 June, the sunniest day of the year). Spring flowers were late, but rapid growth in May and June compensated for the slow start of the growing season and resulted in normal flowering times during the summer months. The autumn was rather mild, and October and December were very dry, but 6 November was the wettest day (1°34 inches) of the year and November by far the wettest month, with 7:40 inches of rain. Botanically, 1970 was an outstanding year for the Bristol area. The highlights include the declaration of Leigh Woods as a National Nature Reserve, the appearance of a long-lost herbarium collection made by Dr. A. Broughton, and the rediscovery of two plants on the Somerset peat moors feared extinct; in addition, several species of flowering plants and bryophytes were found new to the Bristol district. Leigh Woods, on the Somerset side of the Avon Gorge, have long been known as an area of outstanding botanical interest, the semi- natural woodland on the Carboniferous limestone being of con- siderable age. Apart from the trees (chiefly oaks, ash, wych elm and small-leaved lime) and shrubs, which include many species of Sorbus, S. bristoliensis and S. wilmottiana being Avon Gorge endemics, a large variety of plants, many of them rare in the district, is represented in the rich ground flora of the wooded slopes and the quarry floors (see the chapter on “‘Vegetation”’ in Bristol and its Adjoining Counties (ed. C. M. MacInnes and W. F. Whittard), Arrowsmith, Bristol, 1955). Part of the woods was given to the National Trust in 1909 by the late Sir George Wills and his gift was added to by other members of the Wills family. ‘The woods have hitherto been managed by a local committee, but with the declaration of a National Nature Reserve comprising 156 acres on 1 December 1970 the management and maintenance will be shared with the Nature Conservancy. The 14 A. J. WILLIS conservation policy adopted seeks to maintain the semi-natural woodland communities for their scientific value and also for their interest to the general public. Dr. Arthur Broughton was physician to the Royal Infirmary from 1780 to 1786, and while in Bristol was an active botanist, making a number of records, particularly for the Avon Gorge, some of them being the first for the area. Certain of these records were communi- cated to William Withering and are included in his Arrangement of British Plants (3rd edn, 1796). White (Flora, 1912) reports that Broughton’s collections were bequeathed to the city, but that no trace of them could be found by the City Librarian in 1893. The continued existence of a Herbarium book by Broughton came to light in October 1970 and an account of this book and its significance is given in a separate article in this issue of the Proceedings. Intensive study of the vegetation of the Somerset peat moors by J. K. Hibberd has shown that many of the plants formerly recorded from the area still persist, albeit in only small amounts. Of very special note are his finds of Drosera anglica, long since feared extinct, and of Andromeda polifolia, once existing in some quantity on the moors, but not recorded there for the last fifty years. The reports of the continued existence of these and other less extreme rarities on the moors are very welcome news indeed, and testify to the persis- tence over a great many years of exceedingly small populations of plants. Other notable finds in 1970 include Sangutsorba officinalis, new to N. Somerset, two species of Broomrape, Orobanche picridis and O. rapum-genistae, for which previous records are very sparse, and some not well authenticated, and also the aliens Xanthium sacch- aratum and Hordeum pubiflorum, not previously known in the Bristol district. New stations for a number of plants, including Bupleurum rotundifolium and Carex montana, have also been found by Mrs. J. Appleyard, who has been active in survey studies for the Somerset Flora. Two bryophytes new to Somerset have been recorded this year, Bryum creberrimum and Thuidium recognitum, and one, Barbula unguiculata var. cuspidata, is new to vice county 34. Evidence has come to light of the occurrence of seeds of the Cheddar Pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) (tentative determination) in beds of Late Pleistocene age in East Anglia, indicative of a wider existence of this plant formerly. With the death of Mrs. G. 8S. Wakefield, on 4 March 1970, the Society has lost a long-standing member of the Botanical Section, who did a great deal of work in the table display of plants in the City Museum. BRISTOL BOTANY 15 Names of contributors of several records are abbreviated thus: J.A., Mrs. J. Appleyard J-K.H., J. K. Hibberd C.H.C., C. H. Cummins R.G.B.R., Capt. R. G. B. Roe, R.N. A.F.D., Dr. A. F. Devonshire D.M.S., Dr. D. Munro Smith I.F.G., Miss I. F. Gravestock Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. Edford, 8., 1.F.G., and adjoining a hollow in an ungrazed field, Knowle, Bristol, S., A.F.D. Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H. P. Fuchs. In 1969, wood near the disused railway station, Clutton, S., A.G.B.R. This fern was — previously known as D. spinulosa Watt and D. lanceolatocristata (Hoffm.) Alston. Gymnocarpium robertianum (Hoffm.) Newm. This fern, formerly known as Thelypterts robertiana (Hoffm.) Slosson, was growing on the wall of an old buddle house (formerly used for storing lead ore), Biddlecombe, W. Horrington, S., 7. A. (conf. R.G.B.R.). Helleborus viridis L. Wood between Green Down and Chewton Mendip, south-west of Litton, S., 7.A. Rorippa islandica (Oeder) Borbas. In pond, Ashton Court, near Bristol, S., 1.F.G. Margin of Litton reservoir, §., and also rhine in Queen’s Sedge Moor between Wells and Glastonbury, S., J.A. Silene noctiflora L. In neglected arable field, West Horrington, S., Wie Dianthus gratianopolitanus Vill. Two seeds, tentatively determined as belonging to this species, are described (Frances G. Bell, Late Pleistocene Floras from Earith, Huntingdonshire: Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. (1970), B 258, 347-78) from organic beds of Last-Glacial age exposed in a pit in fluviatile gravel at Earith, at the south-west margin of the East Anglian fens. Radiocarbon dates indicate an age of about 42,000—45,000 years before present. The seeds are 2-6-2-7 mm long, with cells similar in every respect to this species, but differing from the British Cheddar population in being narrower and more tapering to the beak. The seeds occur with the remains of other base- loving plants of open vegetation, and the presence of D. gratianopolitanus fits the floristic and ecological character of the Full-Glacial flora. Sagina nodosa (L.) Fenzl. Old quarry, Ubley Sideling, S., 7.A. Spergularia marina (L.) Griseb. Littleton-on-Severn, G., L.F.G. Atriplex littoralis L. North end of Sand Bay, towards Middle Hope, S., EL. S. Smith. St. Brody noted this plant from Weston-super- Mare (White, Flora), and there are more recent records from Brean (Bristol Botany in 1956). 16 A. J. WILLIS Althaea officinalis L. On beach west of Redcliffe Bay, near Portishead, S., C.H.C. White (Flora) notes its former abundance at Portis- head. Rhamnus catharticus L. Near top of Providence Lane, Long Ashton, S., Miss B. A. Rake. Astragalus glycyphyllos L. Border of wood near arable field, Weston- in-Gordano, S., C.H.C. Lathyrus sylvestris L. On embankment adjoining the Portway below Sneyd Park, Bristol, G., .F.G. and D.M.S. Potentilla anglica Laichard. Goblin Combe, Cleeve, S., I.F.G. Sanguisorba officinalis L. A good stand on banks of disused railway between Cheddar and Westbury-sub-Mendip and also north- west of Lodge Hill Station, S., 7.A. This is a first record for N. Somerset (v.c. 6), although the plant was first reported for the Bristol area (Earthcott Green, G.) in 1939. Drosera anglica Huds. Almost certainly this species, with leaf blades greater than 2 cm, in a site answering to the ““‘Wedmore tur- baries”’ cited by White (Flora, p. 179), S., 7.K.H. D. intermedia Hayne occurs elsewhere on the moors but the leaf blades never exceed 1°5 cm. Only a very few plants of D. anglica were found associated with Erica tetralix L., Eriophorum angustifolium Honck. and Sphagnum cuspidatum Ehrh. This Sundew was feared extinct by White and the present report is the only indication of the existence of the plant in N. Somerset apart from specimens in the Boswell and Stephens herbaria (see White, Flora). Peplis portula L. Persisting on Mendip; by pond, Priddy Circles, S., fea Daphne laureola L. One plant near edge of Big Wood, Weston-in- Gordano, S., C.H.C. Epilobium lanceolatum Seb. & Mauri. In 1963, on disused colliery tips, Foxcote, S., and in 1969 on old quarry workings at Downhead, S., R.G.B.R. Callitriche intermedia Hoffm. In stream running towards the old Upper Benter coalmine, between Gurney Slade and Nettle- bridge, S., I.F.G. Bupleurum rotundifolium L. By hedge, Beryl, Wells, S., 7.4. A second record for the Mendip area. Ocnanthe lachenalii C. C. Gmel. One plant on somewhat marshy ground, Whitchurch, S., with Lathyrus nissolia L. (two patches), ATi), BRISTOL. BOTANY 17 Rumex maritimus L. On old peat cuttings, The Roughet, Shapwick Heath, S., leg. 7.K.H., det. Dr. F. Rose. This Dock rapidly appeared in quantity in 1969 after ditches had been cut across The Roughet and fruited very well, but there was very little in 1970. Carpinus betulus L. The principal component of a small isolated wood on Tadham Moor, south of Wedmore, S., on wet peat near the highest point of the original raised bog surface, C. G. Trapnell. Hornbeam has a fairly wide tolerance of soil types, but usually occurs on sandy, silty or loamy clays. Andromeda polifolia L. A small number of plants, some of which were in flower, in a peat bog south of Wedmore, S., 7.A.H. The Bogbell or Marsh Andromeda was growing with Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Erica spp., Eriophorum vaginatum L. and Sphagnum papillosum Lindb., and occurred in six of twenty-five randomly placed quadrats over an area of 15 acres. ‘The last record of this plant for the peat moors, where it was once plentiful, is for August 1920 between Shapwick and Ashcott (Bristol Botany in 1948). The present report is a most welcome indication of the persistence of this plant, which was feared extinct, despite the changes in the area due to peat winning and alterations of water level. Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum L. Still in Big Wood, Weston-in- Gordano, S., by roadside and covered in quarry dust, C.H.C. Atropa bella-donna L. One large plant which fruited well in the same spot as in 1969, Bristol Grammar School, G., A.F.D. Euphrasia tetraquetra (Bréb.) Arrond. In the Gully, Avon Gorge, G., leg. D.M.S., det. P. F. Yeo. This Eyebright was previously known as £. occidentalis Wettst. Euphrasia confusa Pugsl. In the Gully, Avon Gorge, G., leg. D.M.S., det. P. F. Yeo. A species common on Mendip, and also occurring on the Cotswolds. Orobanche rapum-genistae 'Thuill. Four plants of this rare Broomrape on Sarothamnus scoparius (L.) Wimm. ex Koch in Greyfield Wood, Clutton, 8., P. A. Hickmott. R.G.B.R. reports that the flowers of these plants had stamens inserted at the base of the corolla tube, glabrous filaments, stigma lobes distant and pale yellow and a large central lobe of the lower lip of the corolla. Murray (Flora of Somerset) lists two localities for this plant in Somerset and White (Flora) records the plant from near Wells, but there are no subsequent reports for N. Somerset. Orobanche picridis F. W. Schultz ex Koch. In 1969, on the south slope B 18 A. J. WILLIS of Brean Down, S., leg. Dr. P. Macpherson, det. Dr. D. fF. Hambler (per Dr. G. Halliday). ‘This rare species has been earlier reported for the Bristol flora, but the records have not been fully authenticated (see Bristol Botany in 1946). A specimen has been put in the Herbarium (Som. Arch. and Nat. Hist. Soc.) at ‘Taunton. Utricularia minor L. ‘This Bladderwort was growing with Sparganium minmum Wallr. in a pool on Street Heath, S., Dr. D. A. Goode and 7.K.H. The Lesser Bladderwort flowered freely in this site in 1921, after the great drought; the Small Burreed was reported from Street Heath in 1945. Mentha x piperita L. Margin of reservoir, Litton, S., 7.A. Lycopus europaeus L. Stratton Common, S., C. Hurfuri (per I.F.G.). Artemisia absinthum L. Persistent in large quantity near Weston Lodge, Weston-in-Gordano, S., C.H.C. Serratula tinctoria L. Cutting of disused railway west of Wookey, S., and by Litton reservoir, S., 7.A. Also at Edford, S., C.H.C. Lactuca virosa L. In 1969 common on waste ground, where it has been established for some years, Frenchay, G., D.M.S. Meracium strumosum (W.R. Linton) A. Ley. On St. Vincent’s Rocks and in Bridge Valley Road area, Avon Gorge, G., leg. D.M.5S., det. C. EB. A. Andrews. Meracium lachenalu C. C. Gmel. Limestone cleft on Mendip, south- west of Compton Martin, S., 7.A. Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L. In small pond at about 800 feet on Mendip near Westbury Beacon, S., 7.4. Common in rhines of the peat moors, but unusual at this altitude. Potamogeton coloratus Hornem. Rhine on the peat moors near Fountain’s Wall, 14 miles north of Glastonbury, S., 7.A. (conf) A.G.B.R:). Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. A number of fruiting stems in a wood west of St. Catherine’s Reservoir north of Charmy Down near the county boundary, G., C. D. Ralph (conf. A. F. Willis). This plant has been known for more than a century from Charmy Down. Ornthogalum umbellatum L. Several small clumps, naturalized among grass near old quarry, Goblin Combe, Cleeve, S., C. D. Ralph. Allium oleraceum L. var. complanatum (Bor.) Fries. In abundance on the slopes of Durdham Down near the Zoo, Bristol, G., with some A. carinatum L., D.M.S. BRISTOL BOTANY 19 Coeloglossum viride (L.) Hartm. Still on the Shapwick peat moor, where observed in a meadow on Canada Farm, S. Some of these cut meadows are rich in orchids including Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R.Br., Orchis morio L. and Dactylorhiza fuchsin (Druce) Sod, 7.4.H. Platanthera chlorantha (Custer) Reichb. Goblin Combe, Cleeve, S., Diy. i. D. Smith (per 1E.G.). Ophrys apifera Huds. Lodge Hill, Westbury-sub-Mendip, S., and on Mendip about two miles south-west of Compton Martin, S., 7.4. Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl. A very small quantity in an area of swamp carr near the railway south-east of the former Shapwick Railway Station, S., 7.K.H. The plant was discovered near Shapwick Railway Station in 1915 (see 7. Bot. 1918, 63). Several patches of this conspicuous and rare sedge now exist on the peat moors, a welcome situation in view of the lack of records of this plant last century, and the single small colony known to White (Flora). Carex montana L. In limestone grassland south-west of Compton Martin, S., some distance from the Charterhouse station of this rare sedge, 7.A. Catabrosa aquatica (L.) Beauv. Small pool on hillside, north-east of Westbury-sub-Mendip, S., and in pool in field near West Horrington, S., 7.A. (conf. R.G.B.R.). Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth. Long Wood, near Charterhouse, S., J.A. (conf. A. D. Hallam). ALIENS. Papaver lateritium C. Koch. Growing as a garden weed on old walls in Clifton, Bristol, G., D.M.S. Erucastrum gallicum (Willd.) O.E. Schulz. In 1969, in weedy arable land near Mells Road Station, S., R.G.B.R. The only previous record of this plant for N. Somerset is from waste ground opposite Clarendon Road, Weston-super-Mare, 1935, 7.P.M. Brenan, ms. Rapistrum orientale (L.) Crantz. In quantity along the Portway below Sneyd Park, Avon Gorge, G., D.M.S. Linum usitatissimum L. On waste ground between Bedminster Down and railway, Bristol, S., A.F.D. Crataegus orientalis Pall. ex Bieb. On peat drove near Canada Farm, Shapwick, S., C. G. Trapnell. This tree was recorded (as C. Azarolus L.) from Shapwick Moor in Bristol Botany in 1920 and 1921 and noted as still there in Bristol Botany in 1942. 20 A. J. WILLIS Oenothera erythrosepala Borbas. On spoil heaps near Middle Bridge, between Portishead and Clapton-in-Gordano, S., C.H.C., with Senecio viscosus L. Also on waste ground north-east of West Horrington, S., 7.A. Euphorbia uralensis Fisch. ex Link. Waste ground, Wookey Station, and by the disused railway line, S., 7.4. This spurge, previously known as FE. virgata Waldst. & Kit., was reported from Wookey Station in Bristol Botany in 1945. Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don. A garden escape, with Brunnera macrophylla Johnston, at border of wood along the Portway, Avon Gorge, G., leg. D.M.S., det. Dr. 7. Timson. Rumex obovatus Danser. A wool alien from a tip east of Cradle Bridge between Sharpham and Glastonbury, S., C. A. Howe, det. Jj. E. Lousley. Known formerly at Avonmouth Docks, G., see “The Adventive Flora of the Port of Bristol’? (Bot. Exch. Club Rep. 1932). Cyclamen hederifolium Ait. Established for at least 13 years on grassy track adjoining small wood below Sneyd Park, Bristol, G., DUM. Datura stramonum L. A few plants, together with the purple- flowered form, on broken ground in a pasture, Wraxall, S., R. W. Alvis (per Dr. T. E. T. Bond). Also in field on Weston Down near Portishead, S., C.H.C. Veronica filiformis Sm. On waste ground, with Borago officinalis L. and Crocosmia > crocosmiflora (Lemoine) N.E. Br. above Redcliffe Bay, near Portishead, S., C.H.C. Xanthium saccharatum Wallr. A woo] alien from a tip east of Cradle Bridge, between Sharpham and Glastonbury, S., C. A. Howe, det. Professor F. 7. Widder of Graz. A first record for the Bristol area. Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth. With Orobanche minor Sm. and Chaenorhinum minus (L.) Lange, on waste ground near St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol. Also plentiful in the area between the Avon and the Floating Harbour, G., is Chetranthus chem L. and Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nyman, A.P.D. HMieracium speluncarum Arv.—Touv. One fine plant of this rare Hawk- weed at the junction of Elton Road and Elmdale Road, about 200 yards from the well-known locality on Richmond Hill, Clifton, Bristol, G., A.F.D. Juncus tenuis Willd. On roadside verge, Chilcote, Wells, S., 7.A. (conf. R.G.B.R.). BRISTOL BOTANY 21 Triticum turgidum L. Along the Portway, Avon Gorge, G., D.M.S., det. Dr. C. E. Hubbard. This cultivated cereal is Rivet or Cone Wheat. Hordeum pubtflorum Hook. f. A wool alien on tip east of Cradle Bridge, between Sharpham and Glastonbury, S., D. A. Howe, det. J. E. Lousley. A first record for the Bristol district. Avena fatua L. var. pilosissima S. F. Gray. Along the Portway, Avon Gorge, G., D.M.S., det. Dr. C. E. Hubbard. BRYOPAYTES. Barbula unguiculata Hedw. var. cuspidata (Schultz) Brid. In 1966, Stapleton, near Bristol, G., leg. D.M.S., det. A, C. Crundwell. New to v.c.34. Grimmia orbicularis Bruch ex Wils. St. Vincent’s Rocks, Avon Gorge, Bristol, G., leg. D.M.S., det. Dr. A. J. E. Smith. Bryum creberrmum ‘Yayl. Wall, Englishcombe, S., Dr. 7. L. Dobbie (conf. Dr. E. V. Watson). ‘This moss is new to Somerset. Thuidium recogntum (Hedw.) Lindb. Limestone boulder, wood east of Ebbor Gorge, S., 7.A. A first record for this moss in Somerset. Brachythecium albicans (Hedw.) B., S. & G. On turf near Bridge Valley Road, Avon Gorge, G., leg. D.M.S., det. 7.A. I am indebted to all those who have supplied records, and especially Captain R. G. B. Roe and Mr. C. G. Trapnell; to Mrs. J. Appleyard and Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott for help with the records; and to Mrs. C. H. Perry of Long Ashton Research Station for the supply of meteorological data. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT wea COMPILED BY THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE OF THE B.N.S. ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION P. J. GHADWICK G. E. CLOTHIER H. H. Davis H. R. Hammacotr G. SWEET S. M. Taytor N some unexplained fashion, the Owl entries vanished from the 1969 Report during the last stage of production. We apologise, and include them below with the 1970 entries. We again express our thanks to all contributors. Only a fraction of the records received can be cited individually, but all are carefully studied and are kept for future use. Even where brief summaries must suffice to deal with tens or hundreds of records, as with some of the commoner waders, the accuracy of the picture depends on the details that have been received. We urge our readers, therefore, to maintain the flow of information about the commoner as well as the more uncommon birds they see, and we remind them too of the value of negative data—notes of the absence of species from areas, or at seasons, where or when they would be expected. We have referred before to the problem of giving significant accounts for those species which are neither very common nor particularly uncommon (see especially our 1967 Report). As a step towards a solution, tentative analyses are being made of accumulated data, and special studies mounted in an attempt to fill in the gaps disclosed. The Year. The first week was cold; Bewick’s Swans, already numerous at the New Grounds in late 1969, built up to a record total as their midland wintering areas froze. The rest of January was wet and mild, with mainly S.W. winds. Heavy and widespread Lapwing movements to the N.E. from the 11th-15th were no doubt a reversal of the cold-weather movements of early December. The White-fronted Goose flock at the New Grounds reached the largest size on record near the end of the month. The district had its share of wintering Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, which an enquiry by the British Trust for Ornithology showed to be present nationally in unprecedented numbers, chiefly in the south-west. February became progressively colder until the 16th, when heavy snow fell in S. England, to be followed by milder weather with rain and strong BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 23 S.W. winds. From the end of the month to mid-March, N. winds brought night frosts and inland snow showers, and early arrivals of migrants were few. A week of milder weather merely heralded a return of the cold. A Red-necked Grebe spent a fortnight at Cheddar and on Mar. 27th a Kentish Plover was seen at the New Grounds— our third record (the others were at the same place in 1960 and at Severn Beach in 1947). A Lesser Yellowlegs at the New Grounds from April 2-27 was seen by many, including visitors to the Annual Conference of the British Ornithologists’ Union, held in Bristol from the roth-1ath. It was the first Glos. record of this N. American wader, and the second for the Bristol district, one having been seen at Chew Valley Lake in 1967. From about April 11, warm 8S. winds brought the main migrant stream, and with it a remarkable number of vagrants. An Alpine Swift at the New Grounds on the 16th, the first authen- ticated Glos. record, was one of seven seen in the country; and a Purple Heron at Chew was part of a widespread minor invasion of Ardeidae species. It was Somerset’s second, the first having been seen at Blagdon in 1963. April ended cold, but the first week of May was fine and warm. Then came ten wet and thundery days, until high-pressure systems from Biscay to Scandinavia brought settled fine weather, with winds first easterly and then westerly. From late April to early June, Kittiwakes in some numbers were seen in the Estuary, and there is evidence that this is now a regular pattern. Very few Curlew Sand- pipers were observed in the country on the Spring passage, but one of these was at the New Grounds on May g—only our eighth or ninth Spring record in twenty years. Single Little Stints were seen at the New Grounds and Severn Beach after movements in E. England. Little Gulls were more plentiful than usual; of some 70 recorded in the country, at least six were at Chew. A huge but brief Black ‘Tern passage early in May brought small parties to S. Wales and N. Somerset. May also saw a widespread influx of Quail; locally there were scattered passage records, and in June over thirty males were heard, considerably more than usual. A Red- rumped Swallow at St. George’s Wharf on June 7 was the country’s third of the year, and the first ever recorded in Somerset or in our district. Whitethroat numbers varied; in some places they were still clearly short, but in others they had made a good recovery from the disaster of 1969. It seems likely that the birds concentrated first in the most suitable sites, as was shown for the Wren after the 1962-3 winter (Williamson, K., 1969, Bird Study, 16, 53-59). The fine weather persisted to June 20, but then became less settled. July and August were very changeable; a particularly wet 24 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT spell from Aug. 7-15 caused local flooding, but otherwise rainfall was not great. The first three weeks of September were also un- settled, with periods of heavy rain. The fine spell in May and June appears to have resulted in a good breeding success for many species. Throughout the summer, Manx Shearwaters were seen in the Channel in unusually large numbers and, especially after summer gales, Fulmars and Gannets were seen more often than usual. ‘The autumn passage of Black Terns was considerable, in- cluding the high count of 80-90 at Chew on August 2. Eleven White-winged Black ‘Terns recorded in the country in August, and seven or soin September, included one in each month at Chew, our eighth and ninth records. Chew Valley Lake also held a notable concentration of Gadwall—245 on August 11th; this is the third successive year that over 100 have gathered before dispersing. Whimbrel appeared to be scarce on autumn passage, as indeed had been the case in the spring; but Grey Plover were more often seen than usual, as they were too in 1969. Our autumn Curlew Sandpiper passage followed the national pattern—more than normal, but far fewer than in 1969, and mostly seen after August 22. Of fifteen or so ‘Temminck’s Stints recorded nationally, one—our first since 1964 —was at Cheddar reservoir. Westerly gales in September brought to the British Isles an assortment of American waders and gulls. Of these a Pectoral Sand- piper at Chew was our eleventh, while a Sabine’s Gull (one of some thirty in the country) at Chew on the 6th was the eighth record for the district. The gales brought petrels, shearwaters, skuas and auks to the Estuary, and some birds were found driven inland. The last ten days of September were fine and warm, with mainly S. and W. winds. With October came more strong N. and N.W. winds, changing to S.W. and then, briefly from the 19th, to strong to gale force northwesterlies again; the rest of the month was quiet and warm, with winds locally mainly $.W. The westerlies brought more American waders, including numbers of Buff-breasted Sand- pipers, of which one, at Cheddar res. on Oct. 17 and 18, was the second for the district, the first having been at the New Grounds in 1961. Another, reported on Oct. 7 from Steart, outside our area, was Somerset’s second, one having been at the same place in 1966. November was one of the mildest and wettest known, with temperatures up to 60°F in the last week. December too was mild and dry until the 21st, when fresh N. winds brought frost and then snow, continuing to the end of the year. ‘The mild weather caused Swallows and House Martins to linger in many places, and Black- caps were present locally in probably the greatest numbers ever. The autumn concentration of Great Crested Grebes at Chew, which BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 25 has been increasing steadily since 1965, reached the unprecedented level of 490 in November, some 150 higher than the previous highest count. Winter flocks of Whitefronts and of Bewick’s Swans both showed evidence of a good breeding season, the best known in the case of the former species. Bewick’s Swans appeared in con- siderable numbers in N. Somerset. Among the ducks, Pintail, Shoveler and Pochard were less abundant than normally. For the first time since the war, the year passed with no records of Diver species in the district. Escapes from Captivity. Considerable interest can be aroused when exotic species, escaped from aviaries or zoos, are observed in the wild. The most recent examples to come to our notice are as follows. In 1969 a Sarus Crane and in 1970 a Crowned Crane in Somerset, S. of our area but seen by many members; in 1969 a Giant Whydah, and in 1970 a Scarlet Cardinal, both in N. Somerset; and in the latter year, in S. Glos., a Baglafecht’s Weaver and, not far away, a nest, built in the wild, which was identified by Dr. J. H. Crook of Bristol University, an expert on the weavers, as a typical nest of the Village Weaver. Changes in Habits and Habitats. The presence of hunting Kestrels alongside the embankments of motorways and other main roads is increasingly reported. The elm disease, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis ulmi, which is spread by the beetles Scolytus scolytus and S. multistriatus, is spreading into the area. Outbreaks have been re- ported in the Berkeley Vale and Sodbury Vale, and instances have been seen in N. Somerset. The disease kills the elm trees attacked, and could have a considerable effect on the Rook population since the elm is our commonest hedgerow tree and is the species most often holding Rookeries. Rooks have built in diseased trees, but it is not yet clear whether the failure of the trees to produce leaves will affect the birds’ behaviour or their breeding success. Contributors:—L. P. Alder, Miss E. M. Allcott, R. Angles, R. Arbery (RAr), A. J. B. Astridge, G. R. Avery, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Bailey, J. D. Barber, Bath Natural History Society, W. G. Bigger, A. E. Billett, R. K. Bircher, T. Bomford, I. Boyd, R. O. Boyd, G. L. Boyle, G. A. Bridge, Miss M. E. Bridge, G. B. Brown, F. Bryant, J. G. Bundy, P. F. Burns, J. F. Burton, Miss S. M. Butlin, G. H. C. Byford, T. Cains, B. Campbell, Mrs. R. Casson, D. Chadwick, P. J. Chadwick, R. N. Chadwick, W. B. Charlesworth, T. R. Cleeves, G. E. Clothier, N. J. Collar, J. K. Comrie, W. M. Coulter, Mrs. R. Cummings, R. M. Curber, D. C. S. Davies, H. H. Davis, Dursley Birdwatching and Preservation Society (D), P. Duddridge, S. B. Edwards, T. D. Evans, P. G. Farmer, Field Club, Bristol Grammar School (F), G. A. Forrest, P. L. Garvey, W. Gouge, Miss C. Graham, Miss V. Graham, Miss I. F. Gravestock, B. J. Gregory, K. J. Grierson, H. R. Hammacott, M. J. Hannagan, S. P. Harris, Mrs. A. Heathcote, R. Hemmings, H. G. Hockey, Mrs. I. M. Hockey, Mrs. S. C. Holland, R. Holmes, W. J. H. Hopkins, W. J. Holbrook, 26 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Mrs. J. Humphris, N. Humphris, J. R. Ingleby, E. E. Jackson, K. Jacobs, J. Jarrett, D. C. Jeffery, B. King, B. L. Kington, N. T. Lacy, T. Lawrence, A. C. Leach, Miss. E. J. Lenton, R. J. Lewis, W. K. Long, M. M. Long, A. D. Lucas, B. J. Madders, D. V. Mardle, J. A McGeoch, H. W. Neal, B. A. Oades, M. A. Ogilvie, B. A. Owen, A. J. Parsons, J. M. L. Peake, M. J. Penistan, D. J. Perriman, R. C. Pople, R. H. Poulding, B. Rabbitts, W. L. Roseveare, J. F. Rowe, M. Sainsbury, J. D. Sanders, P. Scott, L. T. CG. Shakespear, Mrs. M. A. Silcocks, T. B. Silcocks, C. E. D. Smith, T. Sparrow, K. Standring, Mrs. M. M. Stone, P. E. Stone, C. M. Swaine, G. Sweet, G. P. Taylor, Mrs. M. V. Taylor, N. G. M. Taylor, S. M. Taylor, R. G. Thomas, R. B. Tunstall, J. D. R. Vernon, W. Upton, Mrs. A. M. Walker, G. Walker, G. C. Wall, D. Warden, Miss C. Wareham, Miss F. Wareham, Wildfowl Trust (WT), Mrs. G. A. Winn, Miss D. Withers, K. B. Young, G. Youdale, D. A. Christie, J. Gooders, H. R. H. Lance, Miss. R Powell, N. J. Riddiford, K. E. Vinnicombe. The initials G. and S. denote respectively the South Glos. and North Somerset parts of the district. Where neither is used, the entry is a general statement about the whole area. The boundaries are defined below on page 45. Prior to Jan. 1, 1968, the area was slightly smaller, as defined in Proc. B.N.S., 1960, p. 114. GREAT CRESTED GREBE_ Podiceps cristatus Bred: G@.—Frampton Pools (five or six pairs), Tortworth Lake; S§.—Orchardleigh (two pairs), Emborough, and Blagdon and Chew Valley resrs. (over 100 young at latter). Large autumn counts include 490, Chew Valley, Nov. 21 (RA) but only 340 on 29th and 260, Dec. 28. RED-NECKED GREBE_ Podiceps griseigena S. One, Cheddar res., Mar. 19-Apr. 4 (PJC, NTL, JAMCG, BR). SLAVONIAN GREBE_ Podiceps auritus S. One, Cheddar res., Nov. 29—Dec. 28 and one, Chew Valley, Dec. 20 (PJc, SBE ¢ al.). BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis S. Chew Valley res.: one, Mar. 30—-early Apr. (BR et al.) and two, Oct. 17 (GBB). Cheddar res.: one, Oct. 5—-Nov. 7 but two, Oct. 24- Nov. I (RMC, BR é al.). StoRM PetTREL Aydrobates pelagicus S. Three off Sand Point, Sept. 10 (TB). MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Large numbers in Channel, midsummer: 11 reports totalling 324 birds, most off Brean Down (74, June 4; 66 on 5th; 38, July 12 and 97 on 15th) but two parties of nine off Sand Point and one of 19, June 6—Aug. 3rd. A gale-driven bird was found at Stroud, Sept. 20. (RA, TB, PJC, BR, WT) ' | | | | ——— = BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 27 | FutmMAR Fulmarus glacialis _§. Single birds, Sand Bay, Feb. 3, July 2, Nov. 3 (TB); Cheddar _res., Feb. 22 (Br) and Chew Valley res., May 31 (SBE). Also noted _ off Brean Down on eight dates, Apr. 28—July 15, with two, May 17 7 and June 5 (RA, BR). ~Gannet Sula bassana _ Twenty-three records, involving 78 birds; majority in Channel off Brean Down, usually one or two birds but 34, July 15. Gale- _ driven birds found dead or dying on coast as far N. as Sharpness, and one taken to wr from near Gloucester. One in flight, New Grounds, Dec. 23 (MAO, BR, JDRV éf al.). CormMoRANT Phalacrocorax carbo Up to three, Frampton Pools, Jan.—-Feb. and one, October. Some 20 records of one or two birds on coast, but sometimes up to four at Severn Beach. Seven flying E, Rudgeway, Jan. 11 and two to N, Bath, Apr. 1. Regular at reservoirs—-max. counts 19, Cheddar, Jan., and 18, November; and 22, Chew Valley, March-April, but up to 39 in December. HERON Ardea cinerea Evidence of sharp increase in breeding population, with total of 80 nests, including one small new heronry (jrs, Dw et al.) Regular in small numbers on reservoirs, moors and coast; 15 Frampton on Severn foreshore, Aug. 15 (JMLP ¢t al.). PurPLE HERON Ardea purpurea S. One, Chew Valley res., Apr. 20-May 3 (RA, AH ef al.). Deep neck pouch noted in flight; ight brown wings with dark primaries; dark streak on yellow-brown neck (RA). Record, second for County, accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Single birds, Frampton Pools, Feb. 7 (EEJ, MAo) and Chew Valley res. on several dates (GBB, PJC, BR ef al.). TEAL Anas crecca Approx. 650 along coast, mid-Jan. Autumn/winter total hard to assess due to marked fluctuations in numbers at resrs. and lack of synchronisation of counts. About 450 in area, mid-Sept., with marked influx end month (400, Frampton, Oct. 3, 18)—probably about 1,000 present, mid-Oct., but decrease to 700 later. GARGANEY Anas querquedula G. ‘Two pairs, New Grounds, Mar. 24-28 and pair, Apr. 3-13. Male, Frampton Pools, May 16-19. 28 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT S. Pairs, noted, Chew Valley res., Apr. 5 and July 1, anda mala Aug. 16 and goth. Cheddar res.: pair, Apr. 7; seven, Aug. 3; five on 4th, one on 27th and three on 28th. Male, Blagdon res., Aug. 23. GADWALL Anas strepera G. Peak counts, Frampton area: 24, Jan. 3; 18, Feb. 21, Aug. 15 and Oct. 3, rising to 42 on 10th and 75 on 28th; 20, Nov. 15. S. Small numbers, resrs., Jan.—Feb., but influx in March; also one on coast (St. George’s Wharf), Mar. 8. At least 12 pairs bred, Chew Valley res.; record totals there in Aug.—245, Aug. I1; 200 on 2iIst, 180 on 25th, then rapid decrease to c.30, end Sept. Up-to 20, Cheddar res., Sept._Nov. (25, Oct. 17); a few also at Blagdon, Chantry and Orchardleigh. WIGEON Anas penelope No really large numbers, Jan._Mar.; one stayed to end May. First autumn birds from Aug. 22. Approx. 150 in total, end Sept.; 450, mid-Oct.; 600, end Nov., but 3,400 Dec. 28 and 2oth. PINTAIL Anas acuta A very poor year—largest counts of 36, Frampton Pools, Jan. 3; 41, New Grounds, Oct. 28 and 20, Blagdon, Dec. 19. SHOVELER Spatula clypeata G. Max. counts: 120, Frampton Pools, Jan. 27 and 70 on coast, Apr. 2. No large autumn totals. S. Largest numbers were again at Chew Valley res.—up to 150, in Jan.—where some 10 pairs were noted in mid-summer, and at least one pair bred. Approx. 150 in area, mid-Oct., increasing to 275 in mid-Nov., but down to 125, mid-December. RED-CRESTED PocHARD WNetta rufina Frampton Pools: three, Feb. 8-22 and two, Mar. 14—-Apr. 26 (EMA, MML et al.). Chew Valley res.: one, Aug. 10; two, Aug. 14— Sept. 10, then one to Oct. 4 (GLB, Dw et al.). Three imm. males, Cheddar res., Aug. 31 (PJC, JAMCG, BR). [Probably all escapes—Eds. ] Scaup Aythya marila G. Up to three, Frampton Pools, Jan., and one or two males, Feb. to mid-May (TDE, cms ¢t al.). S. Male, Cheddar res., Jan._Mar. 30 with second bird, Jan. 9— Mar. 27; male again present, Oct. 11—end year (RMC, JAMcG é¢ al.). Single male, Chew Valley res., Feb. 28-May 30 (RA, WLR é al.), and female, Oct. 25—Nov. 14 (SBE). Female off Brean Down, Apr. 15 (GBB). TuFTED Duck Apythya fuligula Area total c.800, Jan._mid Feb. (of which up to half were at BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 29 Frampton Pools) and c.600, mid-Sept., rising to c.800 by end of year. Breeding reported, Frampton Pools (six broods), Chew Valley res. (at least 13 broods), Blagdon res. and Orchardleigh. PocHARD Aythya ferina Generally a poor year, especially in autumn, when highest single count was 450, Cheddar res., and area total probably did not exceed 750. Bred successfully, Chew Valley reservoir. GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Distribution similar to 1969, with ¢c.45 in Jan., 35 in Feb., 60, Mar. 14 and c.45, mid-April; last record, May 30. First autumn birds, Oct. 17; total of 25-30 by mid-December. LoNG-TAILED Duck Clangula hyemalis S. Bird noted, Cheddar res., end 1969, stayed till Feb. 22; joined by ad. 2 which stayed to Mar. 15 (HRHL et al.). Female, Blagdon res., Apr. 12 (SBE) and Chew Valley, May 5-17 (RMC, RH ef al.). ComMon ScoTER Melanitta nigra Noted all months except Sept. and Dec., usually one or two, but parties of five, Sand Bay, Jan. 2 (BLK), off Brean Down, Apr. 28, May 15 and eight, June 27 (BR). Passage movement, end March— 13 off Brean Down, 29th (BLK) and 35 (2339) on 30th (pyc, PGF). One, Chew Valley res., Mar. 30 and six, Cheddar res., July 4 (BR). RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator G. Three (1 ad. ¢), Frampton Pools, Nov. 25 (LPA) and single females, Dec. 8-21 (JMLP, jos et al.), and on coast, Dec. 14 (LPA). S. Four, Sand Bay, Jan. 4 and one on 6th (TB). T'wo, Chew Valley res., Jan. 14; three, Feb. 14 (RA) and one, Dec. 5-13 (TRC et al.). GOOSANDER Mergus merganser G. Frampton Pools: three (1 3), Jan. 18-Feb. 3, then two to Feb. 22 (RKB, MAO et al.). S. ‘Iwo, Cheddar res., Jan. 4 and one on oth (BR). Three Orchard- leigh, Jan. 24 (Rmc). Total of 15, Blagdon and Chew Valley resrs., Feb., and 11, Mar. 15; last seen—pair, Apr. 9 (RNC, HRHL ¢t al.); birds moved between resrs., with up to four at Blagdon. Autumn: three, Chew Valley res., Nov. 8; seven there, Dec. 12 and six to 27th (wos, GLB é al.), but 11 on 28th after snow (Pjc). Two, Blagdon mes., Nov. 17-22 (TRC, RGT). SMEw Mergus albellus S. One, Cheddar res., Jan. 4 (BR). Up to three (1 ¢), Chew Valley res., Jan._Mar. 15; one male, Dec. 25-29 (GBB, PLG ef al.). 30 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT NortH AMERICAN Ruppy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis | G. One pair again bred, Frampton Pools, where up to five adults | seen, end March. | S. Cheddar res.: four, Jan. 4; 11 on oth and five on 11th. Forty- two, Chew Valley res., Jan. 3, and total of 45, there and at Blagdon res., Feb. 15. Few spring or summer records, but total again in- creased, Nov.—Dec., with 45, Dec. 28 (17 at Blagdon). SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Breeding season survey showed c.160 ads. and 92 pulli, New Grounds to R. Avon, June 20-21 (mostly in New Grounds area), and c.245 ads. and 121 pulli, R. Avon to Birnbeck I., June 21; as is now regular, other broods appeared later. Pair bred, Chew Valley Reservoir. GREYLAG GoosE Anser anser G. The following reported, without descriptive comments: one, New Grounds, Feb. 28; ad., 3 imms., Frampton Pools, for three weeks in July, and 2 ads., 4 imms., Aug. 15 (TDE); two, same place, Dec. 1 (GBB). We stress again that full-winged birds move between the Wildfowl Trust and Frampton Pools.—Eds. WHITE-FRONTED GoosE Anser albifrons G. New Grounds: end—1969 total of 3,650 rose to record 7,600 on Jan. 26; 6,000 present, Feb. 4, and 5,500 on 20th; over 2,000, Mar. 5 but only 200 on 8th, and last four left on 24th. Autumn: first birds, 11 on Sept. 29, increasing to 1,250, Dec. 18 and 3,850 on 29th (mao, who reports 4394 young birds and ave. brood of 3-0 —best breeding results yet recorded). Elsewhere: 80 and 20 over Filton, early Jan.; seven, Severn Beach, Feb. 1 and 13, Dec. 25; 40, Leonard Stanley, Feb. 9; 10, Chittening, Nov. 7. S. Records include: ten, R. Axe marshes and 13, Brean Down, Jan. 3-4; 19, Sand Point, Jan. 4; 17, Cheddar res., on 9th; 60, Chew Valley res., on 11th; and several parties of 25-35, resrs. and coast, mid Jan.—mid March; 14, Sand Point, Dec. 23 and 16, E. Horring- ton on 26th. LessER WHITE-FRONTED GoosE Anser erythropus G. New Grounds: ad. with albifrons, Mar. 1 (jAB)—only sighting; another ad., with albifrons, Dec. 13-31 (JAB, PLG, PS et al.). BEAN GoosE Anser fabalis G. New Grounds: one with albifrons. Feb. 1 (pLG) and one, Mar. 4-24 (LPA); four (probably family party), Dec. 31 (Ps). PINK-FOOTED Goose Anser brachyrhynchus G. Four, New Grounds, Jan. 4, and five on 16th (MAo, wr). No autumn records. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 3l DARK-BREASTED BRENT Goose Branta b. bernicla Ad. with Whitefronts, New Grounds, Jan. 4, 28 (MAO, GBB) and two, ad. and imm., on 16th (mao). Three flying off Brean Down, Jan. 31 (CG). BARNACLE Goose Branta leucopsis Up to four with Whitefronts, New Grounds, Jan.—Feb. (RMc, TDE, MAO), and one with Canada Geese, Dec. 1 (GBB). One, Wood- spring Bay, Jan. 11 (GW). Party of eight on coast, Clevedon, Dec. 26-29, one being seen to die and another shot (JFB, RC). CANADA GoosE Branta canadensis G. Frampton Pools: max. counts 68, July 11, and 80, Oct. 26. New Grounds: 84 flying upstream, Jan. 5; 110 present, Nov. 19, and 20 on Dec. 1—no doubt of Frampton Pools origin. WHOOPER SWAN) Cygnus cygnus G. New Grounds: three (1 juv.), Jan. 28-Feb. 15; one ad. and juv., Feb. 16—Mar. 3; pair, Dec. 22-31 (wr). S. Two, Chew Valley res., Jan. 13 (GLB). Two ads., Cheddar res., Feb. 19 (JAMcG); four ads., Stoke Moor, Mar. 1 and two, Nov. 8-19 (TRC, BR). BEWICK’s SwAN Cygnus columbianus G. Over 300 fed regularly in W.T. enclosures, Jan., with 404 (record total) on 8th; 570 different birds identified by bill markings by Mar. 18, when last 31 birds left. First autumn arrivals—four, Oct. 4; rapid rise to ¢c.155, end—Nov., 220, Dec. 14 and 332 on 3Ist, by which time 472 individuals identified including 18° juvs.— best breeding success for four years (wT). One, Severn Beach, March 8, and one flying N., Sharpness, Nov. 7. S. Small numbers at resrs., Sand Point and Stoke Moor, winter. First autumn birds: two, Cheddar res., Oct. 29 where three present, Nov. 8-14 and fifteen on 21st. Large numbers at Blagdon and Chew Valley resrs., incl. go, Dec. 3 (76, Blagdon) and 102 on 28th (60, Blagdon), two of which had wr dye marks. Buzzarpv Buteo buteo G. Reports in breeding season from Cromhall and the Severn Vale. Winter records from Dursley. S. Breeding season reports from Mendip localities, Blagdon res., Cleeve and nr. Bath. One young reared at one site (pyc) and pro- bably bred at three others (pyc, BR, Gs). Autumn and winter records from Brean Down, Winscombe, Portbury, Flax Bourton and Failand. 32 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus G. Reports, April—July, from Frampton Pools (xj), nr. Berkeley (JDRV), Cromhall (jx), Tortworth (ju), Elberton (jprRv), Marshfield (PLG) and Clifton, Bristol (pyc). S. Records from many localities, including Bristol, in breeding season. Female incubating three eggs, June 17-Aug. 3, when only two in nest; shell of third, beneath tree, seemed abnormally thin so eggs were taken under licence for analysis (Dw). MarsH Harrier Circus aeruginosus S. One, Chew Valley res., Jan. 11 (Ms). OspREY Pandion haliaetus G. One, Woodchester Park, June 8, 9 (RP ef al.). Hossy Falco subbuteo G. Single birds, New Grounds, May 6 (g££j) and Stroud area, several dates in July (sms). S. Probably bred, one site, where three birds seen, Sept. (per RMC). One, sometimes two, Chew Valley res., May 14-Sept. 5 (Pjc, DW). Single birds, Woodspring Bay, June 9 (TB); Worlebury, Aug. 5 (TB); Blagdon, Aug. 30 (Pjc); Priston, Sept. 2 (HHD) and Newton St. Loe, Sept. 11 (Bk). PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus G. New Grounds: female, Jan.-mid. April and male, Apr. 3; female, Oct. 4—end year (RMC, TDE, MAO). S. One, Brean Down, Sept. 16, Dec. 6 and 29th (RA, BR). One imm., St. George’s Wharf, Nov. 1—Dec. Ist (GBB, wcB). Meru1n_ Falco columbarius G. Atleast one present, Chittening—Severn Beach, Feb., and Oct. —Dec. (jrr, Gy). S. Sand Point: ¢, Jan. 8 (vs); 2, Aug. 27, Nov..26 andi Dec..26 (TB). One, Brean Down, Oct. 3 (RMc). KestreL Falco tinnunculus S. Pairs recorded in breeding season—Brean Down, *Weston-s- Mare, Bleadon Hill, *Cheddar res., *Blagdon, *Goblin Combe, *Queen Charlton, nr. Marksbury, Pensford, Cleeve, *Whitchurch, * Nailsea, Ashton Park, St. George’s Wharf and *North Stoke, nr. Bath. Breeding proved at localities preceded by *. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa S. Up to three, Sand Point/Sand Bay, Mar. 15-July 9 (RA, TB). PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix G. Covey of six, Wotton-u-Edge, Feb. 3. Pair, Cromhall, May. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 33 Ten, Earthcott, autumn. Two pairs bred, W. Littleton, and twenty present, end of year. S. Three pairs, Easton-in-Gordano; one with brood of 12, July 10. Breeding season reports from six other localities. Coveys of ten, Nailsea Moor, Sept.—Oct.; six, St. George’s Wharf, Nov.—Dec.; and nine, Kenn Estuary, Nov. 22. QuaiL Coturnix coturnix G. Twenty-seven heard calling, Marshfield—Tormarton area, June, during Corn Bunting survey (ADL eé al.) Eight calling, Marsh- field, July 16 (PLG). S. Single birds, Sand Bay, Middle Hope, Clevedon, Nailsea, May— early Sept.; several, Charterhouse and King Down and Yoxter Farms, Mendip, June; five heard, latter place, Aug. 7 (NTL). WatER Ratt Rallus aquaticus Breeding season records: one, Chew Valley res., July 29 (HRHL) and five, Sand Bay, Aug. 20 (TB). Noted in low-lying coastal districts, Jan.—Mar., Sept.—Dec.; up to four, Chew Valley res., Mar., Aug.— December. CORNCRAKE. Crex crex S. One calling, Kenn Moor, June 1 (jrFB). OysTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus G. Up to eight, New Grounds, May and July 20-Aug. 27. S. Noted, coast, Jan._May 6 and July 3—Dec.; up to 25, Sand Bay— Weston Bay area, with 130, Axe Estuary, Nov. 5 (RA); elsewhere, fewer than ten birds. One, Chew Valley res., Mar. 14, and one or two, there and at Cheddar res., Aug.—Sept. Lapwinc Vanellus vanellus Breeding or breeding behaviour, North Stoke, Kenn Moor, Clevedon, Kingston Seymour. Very large and widespread weather movements to N.E., Jan. 11-15 and to 8.W., Dec. 26-27. Flocks of 3,000, Old Sodbury, Aug. and Axe Estuary, Feb. and Nov. RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula 100 records (68 in G.), coast, all months. 100, Weston Bay, Jan.; up to 100, Chittening—Severn Beach, Feb., Mar., and 250, May. Large numbers, August, though fewer than in 1969: up to 550, New Grounds; 700, Chittening—Severn Beach; 400 Littleton; 200, St. George’s Wharf and 300, Sand Bay. Reservoirs: 1, Chew Valley, May 4 (RMC); 40 records, July 26—Nov. 7, with up to 34, Blagdon; 60, Chew Valley and 15, Cheddar, Aug._September. LirrLe RINGED PLOvER' Charadrius dubius Single birds, New Grounds, Apr. 13—May 9 (PL6, cs et al.), and 34 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Cheddar res., Apr. 12 (sBE). Nineteen reports, New Grounds and Blagdon, Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., July 25—-Sept. 4, of one or two birds, adult and immature. KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus G. One, New Grounds, Mar. 27 (TpE). Third record for Bristol district (others, Severn Beach, 1947 and New Grounds, 1960). Grey PLOVER Charadrius squatarola G. Records (19), coastal localities, Jan—May 26, with max., 13, New Grounds, May 12 (LPA); several May birds in summer plumage; 26 records, Sept. 16—Nov. 30, with max. 26, New Grounds, Oct. 12 (LPA) but c.100, Chittening, seen at close range at dusk, DEE: 2 7 nuNAa |e S. One, Sand Bay, Apr. 19 and June 6 (RA); up to three, coast, Sept. 27—Dec., with six, St. George’s Wharf, former date. One, Chew Valley res., Oct. 31 (sBE)—only resr. record. GOLDEN PLOVER Charadrius apricarius G. Only records over five birds: 50, New Grounds, Feb. 14; 63 over same place, Mar. 15, and 30 there, Sept. 29 (LPA, TDE). S. 34 records, Jan._Apr. 20 and Sept. 27—Dec.; also one heard, Clevedon coast, June 30 (JFB). TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres G. Chittening—Severn Beach: up to 200, Jan.—_June 7 and July 28- Dec., but up to 350, early October. Oldbury area: 30-50, Sept.— Oct. Elsewhere on coast, G. and S., up to ten present, all months, but 20-30, St. George’s Wharf, Feb. and July. Chew Valley res.: one, July 26 andicicht, Aug. 227 CoMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Noted, coast, moors and resrs., Jan.-Apr. 19 and Aug.. 2—Dec.; 78 reports (four from G.), with up to 40, St. George’s Wharf, and in autumn up to 50, Cheddar res. and Weston Airport; 150, Clevedon, Nov. 30, and 60, Axe Estuary, December. Drumming heard, Chew Valley res., June; numbers there rose to 150 by late October. JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus G. One, Fishponds, Bristol, Jan. 17—flew to Alcove Lido (BLk). S. Nineteen records, Jan._Apr. 2 and Sept. 12—Dec., mostly of single birds, coast, Mendip and resrs., but up to three, Weston-s- Mare Airport, Mar. and Dec., and Chew Valley res., Oct., and two flushed, Mendip, November. Woopcock Scolopax rusticola Thirteen records of one or two, scattered localities, Jan._Mar. and BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 35 Oct. 27—Dec., including one found dead in Dursley town and one killed striking window, BBC, Bristol, Nov. 30. CurLEw Numenius arquata Present all months. Peak counts—New Grounds: 455, Jan.; 306, July; 250-300, Oct.—Dec. (LpA); Chittening: 150-180, Feb., Aug., Nov. (NTL); Portbury Wharf: 150, Feb. (jrB); Sand Bay: 135, July, Dec. (RA, TB). Max. resr. count: 6, Chew Valley, Nov. 22 (RMC.). WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Noted, Apr. 17—June 13 (43 reports, 20 in G@.—mainly at New Grounds), with max. 25, Cheddar res., May 15; and July 12—Sept. 9 (17 reports, 9 in G.) with max., 8, Kingston Seymour, Aug. 12. One, Sand Bay, on late date of Nov. 1 (TB). BLACK-TAILED GopwiT Limosa limosa Coast: six reports (four in G.), Jan.—Apr. 19, and 29 (12 in S.), July 12-Dec., mostly of up to ten birds, but 120, Chittening, Jan. 31 (RGT) and up to 60, Axe Estuary, Oct. 3—Nov. 6 (Ra et al.). Up to five, Chew Valley res., Aug.—early Sept. BAaR-TAILED Gopwir Limosa lapponica Coast: 11 reports (10 in G.), Jan._May 18, and 49 (29 in G.), Aug. 3—Dec., mostly of under 20 birds, but with up to 40, autumn, New Grounds, Oldbury, Littleton, Sand Bay and Weston Bay; 130, Uphill, Oct. 20 (wes). Single birds, Cheddar res., Sept. 11 and Nov. 7 (BR). GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Fight records (four in G.) Jan.-May 4, and 100 (14 in G. and 60 from resrs.), June 27—Nov. 26, mostly of one or two birds; but in autumn up to four, St. George’s Wharf and resrs., with up to 13, Chew Valley, Aug. 6—Sept. 6. Woop SANDPIPER’ Tringa glareola S. Single birds, Chew Valley Lake, June 1 (RA), July 29—Aug. 22, Sept. 10-21 and Oct. 13 (GLB, Pjc, RMC ef al.). Two, Axe Estuary, Aug. 11 (DJP); one, Sand Bay, Aug. 23, Sept. 4 (RA, TB). Common SANDPIPER Tringa hypoleuca Coast: 47 reports (26 in G.) of up to eight, Mar. 21—Dec. 31, mostly from New Grounds and St. George’s Wharf. Reservoirs: 62 reports, Mar. 30—-Nov. 10, with max., 11, Barrow Gurney and 26, Cheddar, April; and 10, Blagdon, 25, Cheddar and 30, Chew Valley, August. REDsHANK Tringa totanus Present all months. Up to 200, Chittening and 60, Sand and 36 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Weston Bays, Jan._Mar. Autumn peaks: 300-400, Chittening to Severn Beach, Aug.—Sept., and 200, Dec. (NTL); 100-120, Sand and Weston Bays, Oct. (RA). One or two, Chew Valley res., spring and autumn. Bred, coast, Clevedon-Yeo Estuary. 96 records (66 in G.). SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus G. New Grounds (55 records): up to three, Apr. 11-May 19; up to 11, June 20 to end July, then up to 22 to Nov. 16. S. Up to three, Aug. 11—Oct. 6; 30 records (26 from resrs.). LEssER YELLOWLEGS Tvringa flavipes G. One, New Grounds, Apr. 2-27 (TDE, SPH, KJ, CMs ef al.). Record, first for County of this N. American species, accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Single birds, New Grounds, Mar. 22, Apr. 11 (LPA, jps) and Cheddar res., Apr. 5 (PJC, HWN). Autumn: gg reports (25 in G., 62 from resrs.) of up to four, July 20-Dec. 27; but up to 12, New Grounds, and 14, Chew Valley res., August-September. Knot Calidris canutus Noted, Jan.—June 12 and Aug. 2—Dec.; 40 records (20 in G.). Up to 600, Sand and Weston Bays, Jan., and up to 350, Dec.; only other count over 12 was 150, Sand Bay, March 8. PuRPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima G. Up to four, Chittening—Severn Beach, Jan. 11-Apr. 30 and Nov. 1—Dec. 19, but six, Apr. 9-18 and seven, Dec. 19 (NTL). S. Two, St. George’s Wharf, Feb. 22 (wcs) and Brean Down, Nov. 15 (pyc). Single birds, Brean Down, Apr. 15 (GBB) and Sand Point, Nov. 15 (RA). LitTLe StTinT Calidris minuta Single birds, New Grounds, Jan. 20 (TDE) and May 11-19, and Severn Beach, May 16. Reports (55) of one or two, New Grounds, Oldbury, Chittening, Sand Bay and resrs., July 21—Dec. 20, but up to six, Chew Valley, Aug., and up to eight, New Grounds, Oct., with c.20 there, Oct. 3 and 4th. TEMMINCK’s STINT Calidris temminckit S. One, Cheddar res., Aug. 28-Sept. 1 (BR, PjC, RMC, PLG ef al.); the first record for the district or County since 1964. PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos S. One, Chew Valley res., Sept. 8-13 (RA, GLB, PLG), was the eleventh County record (first, Barrow Gurney, 1935). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 37 Dunuw Calidris alpina Coastal records (158, with 120 in G.), all months. Max. counts: - 6.—3,500, Chittening-Severn Beach, Jan., Feb. and Dec.; 2,000 _ March and Nov.; and 1,000, May and Oct.; 1,000, New Grounds, Jan. and Oct., and Littleton area, November; $.—3,000, Weston Bay, Jan.; 4,000—4,500, Sand Bay, Nov.; 2,500, Weston Bay, Dec. | Reservoirs: 92 records, all months, with max. 70-100, Chew Valley, Jan. and Nov., and 70-130, Cheddar, Oct.— Nov. ~CurLEwW SANDPIPER Calidris testacea See pp. 23, 24. One, New Grounds, May 19 (LPA); 44 reports, Aug. 21—-Nov. 7, of up to four, New Grounds, Chittening, St. George’s Wharf, Sand Bay, Axe Estuary and resrs., with six, Axe Estuary and Chew Valley res., Aug., and 15, Chittening, Oct. 4 (NTL). SANDERLING Crocethia alba | G. Reports (28), Apr. 16-June 4 and July 21-Oct. 18, from Severn Beach (up to seven) and New Grounds, where up to 11, but 64, May 19 (TDE) and 30-45, May 24—June 2 (LPA, kj). S. Up to five, Weston Bay area, Jan., Mar., Sept.—Dec.; 17, Sand Bay, May 22 (RA); four, Cheddar res., May 30 (sBE). BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Tryngites subruficollis See p. 24. S. One, Cheddar res., Oct. 17 and 18 (BR, RMc et al.). Record, second for district, accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. Rurr Philomachus pugnax Reports (90, 45 in G.), coast and resrs., all months but March, of up to six birds, but up to ten, Chew Valley res., late Aug. and early Sept., and up to 26, New Grounds, December. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta S. Single birds, Sand Bay, Aug. 5 (TB) and Cheddar res., Oct. 22— 26 (PJC, JAMCG, BR ef al.). Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus S. Single birds off Brean Down, Apr. 19, May 17, June 4, Aug. 31 and three, May 15 (BR). One, Sand Bay, Sept. 14 (Ra). Great Skua_ Stercorarius skua S. One, Sand Point, Feb. 3, Nov. 3 (TB). One, Brean Down, June 12; nine, Aug. 16 and one, Sept. 6 (BR). PoMaARINE SKUA _ Stercorarius pomarinus G. Three over river, Frampton on Severn, May 12 (pac, Jc). Lesser BLACK-BACKED Guti Larus fuscus S. Migrant flock of 500, Failand, Apr. 15 (jrs). Total of 145, 38 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Emborough, Oct. 5 (BR), evidently from Chew Valley res. roost, where over 700 noted, Sept. 10 (pjc). One, Scandinavian race, Chew Valley res., Feb. 8 (BR). HERRING GuLL Larus argentatus S. Large counts from Cheddar res. include c.1,000, Mar. 27 and 1,270, Dec. 27, which undoubtedly reflect the presence of nearby rubbish dump (pyc). One carrying live snake (probably Grass Snake) in its bill, Tickenham Moor, June 3 (jFs). ComMMON GULL Larus canus G. Frampton on Severn roost estimated at 20,000-25,000 on late dateofApr. 3 (TDE). Migrant party of 180, New Grounds, May17(LPA). S. Only counts of note were 250 near E. Horrington, Jan. 11 (BR) and c.50, Winscombe, daily throughout winter (WLR). MEDITERRANEAN X BLACK-HEADEDGULL L. melanocephalus x ridibundus G. One second-winter bird with flock of Black-headed Gulls, Chittening, Sept. 6 (pyc, cEDs) had all the features of L. melancephalus except that leading edges of wings were white. LirTtLe Gutut Larus minutus G. One, New Grounds, Apr. 23 (LPA). Two, Frampton Pools, May 3-17 but six on 16th; one, May 24, 31 (TDE, SPH). S. Winter record of one, Sand Bay, Feb. 9 and roth (TB eé¢ al.). One, Cheddar res., Apr. 7 (HRHL). Chew Valley res.: up to six, May 13-23, then one to June 13 (GLB, SPE ¢ al.); juv., Aug. 7-23, three on 25th, four juvs. on 31st and one, Sept. 6—24 but five on 13th; two ads., one imm., Oct. 17 (Pjc, PLG, NTL eé¢ al.). Single juvs., Sand Point, Aug. 16; Cheddar res., 16th—18th; and Blagdon res., Sept. 13 (HRHL, BR et al.). SABINE’S GULL Larus sabini S. Adult, Chew Valley res., Sept. 6 (RH). First record for 13 years, and eighth for Bristol area. Details supplied mention: white head with dark mark behind eye; very conspicuous black, white and grey triangular wing patterning; and forked tail. KiTTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Recent observations, especially sea-watches by BR, indicate species now regular in Estuary during April—June: Seen off Apr. 28 .May 11 15 17.26 “29 \sjuneven a7 Brean at 40 52.70 4. Fue Portishead .. 20 New Grounds 5 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 39 Other records: single birds, Cheddar, Jan. 9; Portishead, Feb. 8; Frampton, Apr. 22 and May 9; Chew Valley, May 28; and off Brean, July 15-25, with four, Aug. 16; up to four, Sand Bay, Feb. 4— Mar. 4 and July 2. Buack TERN Chlidonias niger Noted on 60 days, Apr. 17—Nov. 1. Small numbers, early May with influxes May 15, 16 and early June (11, Cheddar res. and 46 off Brean, June 5). Main counts on return passage: Aug. Sept. Para, Fo A87> JA IG 17 G20 4 10 12 18 Frampton 18 6 18 6 6 6 2 Cheddar R. 4 6 27. 29 «19 5 25 10 Chew V.R. | ¢.85; 25 9 15 2 2 19 15 5 50 II Blagdon R. 4 WHITE-WINGED Brack TERN Chilidonias leucopterus S. Juvenile with Black Terns, Chew Valley res., Aug. 13-16 (RMC, PLG et al.) and another, Sept. 12-16 (Pjc, PLG, MAW), the 8th and gth for the area. Records accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. Common TERN Sterna hirundo. Arctic TERN Sterna macrura Noted every month April—Oct.; no real break between spring and autumn passages. Substantial movements, May, June and Sept.: May une | September Oreo 11 rea 4 or LO 127 eis Frampton B0net 75. 53 I Cheddar R. 9 10 12 Chew V.R. 12 41 30 15 off Brean 100 47 83 I Sand Bay 2 * see also Black Tern. LirtLe TERN Sterna albifrons Spring records: 11, New Grounds, May 4 (LPA); four, Clevedon (RGT), and three, Frampton (TDE), May 5; one, Frampton, May 12 (LPA) and 12, Frampton Pools, on 16th (TDE); three, Chew Valley res., May 26. Autumn records: one, Chew Valley res., Sept. 13 (pjc) and six on 14th (pw); one, Sand Bay, Oct. 4 (RA). SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis G. ‘Two, New Grounds, May 11 (LPA). S. Noted off Sand Point: one, Apr. 23; two, June 25, Aug. 2 (RA, TB); also off Brean Down-three, June 21; one, July 16, Aug. 22, 27 and two, Aug. 12, 16 and Sept. 13 (RA, BR). RazorsitL_ Alca torda S. Two off Brean Down, Apr. 19; three, May 15 and two, 28th (BR). 40 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT LitTLeE Auk Plautus alle G. Ad. 9 found, ‘S. Glos.’ Nov. 12, taken to wT, where died. GuILLEMOT Uria aalge G. One close offshore, Frampton on Severn, Apr. 22 (GBB) and one, same place, Sept. 20 (sPH). Imm. ¢ found, Severn Beach, Oct. 6, died following night (jpRv). Stock DovE Columba oenas Nests found, Thornbury, Olveston, Cowhill, and Wickham Glen and Vassall Park, Bristol. Several winter flocks of 30-40; over 100, King Down Farm, Cheddar, Dec. 20 (3jc). TurTLE Dove Streptopelia turtur Eleven records (cf. 24 in 1969 and 44 in 1968), May 7—Aug. 21. Flock of c.14, Frampton Pools, Aug. 1 (TDE). COLLARED Dove _ Streptopelia decaocto Reported widely, all year—clearly continues to spread, but data not adequate for complete picture. BARN Ow. Tyto alba G. 1969: one, Lower Almondsbury, reported present for a month (NJC); report of one shot, Shirehampton, April (KBy). 1970: one, Yate, Jan. 1st (per cc) and one, Nailsworth, Dec. 28 (jMup). S. 1969: Single birds, Hunstrete, Jan. 5 (RjJL); Chew Valley res., Feb. 3, 11, Nov. 17,21 (Dw); Nailsea, Feb. 5 (HrRH); Lympsham, Feb. 13 (RjL); Easton, Feb. 16 (FB) and Sutton Wick, Sept. 29 (pw). Two, Cheddar, April 14 (TBs). 1970: Single birds, Chew Valley res., Feb. 7, May 12, 13, Aug. 14 (pyc, Dw); Middle Hope; Feb. 24 (TB); nr. Hunstrete, Mar. 9 (pw); Lympsham, Apr. 16 (TB); Hunter’s Lodge, Mendip, Nov. 26 (Gar) and Nailsea Moor, Dec. 24 (AMW, GW). LittLE Ow. § Athene noctua G. 1969: reported from Tockington, where two pairs bred (AEB), Cromhall, Frampton on Severn and Tetbury. No. 1970 data received. S. 1969: Bred, Chew Valley res., Litton, Bishop Sutton, nr. Banwell, Nailsea and Norton Malreward. Breeding season reports from 21 other localities. One found dead, Whitchurch, July 20 (pjc) and one, disturbed by fireworks, Bristol City Football Ground, Oct. 2 (pjp). 1970: One, Ashton Gate, Bristol, various dates, May (SBE, CG). Pair reared two young, Nailsea (HRH). Widespread reports throughout the year. SHORT-EARED Ow. Asio_flammeus G. 1969: one, Frampton on Severn, Oct. 17 and various dates, | BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 4] Nov. (GA, LPA, RKB ef al.). 1970: one, Frampton on Severn, Apr. 11 (RKB, TDE) and up to three, various dates Nov., and Dec. 14 (LPA, BJM, JMLP); one, Chittening, Oct. 11, 22 (NTL); one, Rodborough mine otroud, Oct. 31 (Kj). S. 1969: one, Sand Bay, Dec. 13 (RA), 1970: one, nr. Wells, Mar. 27 (WJHH); one, Sand Bay, Nov. 11 (TB); up to three, Kingston Sey- mour, end Nov.-early Dec. (RMC, BR). ALPINE Swirr Apus melba G. One in flight, Stroud, Apr. 16 (Kjc). Record, accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee, is first for County apart from two old unauthenticated records. LrEssER SPOTTED WOODPECKER JDendrocopos minor Records from: G.—Frampton on Severn, Frocester, Berkeley, Tockington, Frampton Cotterell, and in Bristol, Eastville Park (breeding behaviour), Wickham Glen, Vassall Park and Oldbury Court; and §.—Easton in Gordano, Leigh Woods, Ashton Park, Blagdon res., Wells, Newton St. Loe and Rainbow Wood (Bath). WrRyYNECK 3 Jynx torquilla S. One in garden, Congresbury, Sept. 23 (RBT). WooptaRK Lullula arborea S. ‘Two, Sand Bay, Dec. 27 (RA). SHORE Lark Evemophila alpestris S. One, Cheddar res., Nov. 10, 1969-Apr. 22 (pyc,fHRHL ef al.). RED-RUMPED SwWALLow Hiirundo daurica S. One, St. George’s Wharf, June 7 (wos). Record, first for County or district, accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. SAND Martin Riparia riparia Breeding records from: G.—Bristol (Eastville and St. Werburgh’s) and §.—Midford and Frome (RMc, RH, BLK, BR). RAVEN Corvus corax S. Two pairs, Brean Down area, Jan._May. One pair bred successfully. Two, Kingston Seymour, Nov. 28. Single birds, Priddy, Apr. 27 and Compton Bishop, Sept. 27. HoopEep Crow Corvus cornix S. One, St. George’s Wharf, Dec. 14, 1969—Mar. 3 (wes). Wittow Tit. Parus atricapillus S. Single birds; E. Horrington, Jan. 11 and Litton res., 20th (BR); Walton Moor, July 20 (jrB). Two, Priddy Pools, Nov. 22 (jamcc). 42 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT BEARDED ‘Jit. Panurus biarmicus S. One, Chew Valley res., Nov. 8 (ajp). DierErR Cinclus cinclus G. Present, Snuff Mills, Bristol, Mar.—Aug.; nests built, but no proof of successful breeding (BLK). S. Two, Shockerwick, Jan. 4. Single birds, Rode, July 21 and 26, and Midford, Nov. 15 (RMc). Rinc Ouzet Turdus torquatus Ten, Crook Peak, Mar. 30, and 25, Apr. gth; up to six, Brean Down area, Apr. 15; single birds, Stoke Park, Bristol, Apr. 2 and Purdown, Apr. 7, Worle, Apr. 18 and Sand Point on 26th. WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe Fifty-four reports (35 from G.) of up to 7, from widespread localities, Mar. 18—-May 6 and July 7—Oct. 25. STONECHAT Saxicola torquata Reports (44) of up to four from widespread G. and S. localities. S. Breeding proved at Sand Point, Wavering Down, Compton Bishop and old airport, Whitchurch. WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Reports of up to three from: G.—Frampton on Severn (where bred successfully), Filton and Chittening; and S.—St. George’s Wharf, Sand Bay, Weston-s-Mare, Nailsea Moor, Backwell and Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Apr. 18-Oct. 31. REpDsTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus One, sometimes two, reported from: G.—Ingst, Littleton on Severn and Filton; and §.—Nailsea, Sand Point, Cheddar Gorge, Chew Valley res., Chewton Mendip, Clutton and Midford — Combe Hay, Mar. 29-Sept. 6. Biack REpsTART Phoenicurus ochrurus G. Adult male, Frampton Pools, Dec. 30 (Njr). S. Single birds, Brean Down, Kingston Seymour and Cheddar res., Mar. 30—Apr. 8 and Oct. 17—Dec. 20 (GBB, RMC, BR). NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhyncha Singing gg reported from: G.—Frampton on Severn, ‘Tortworth, Cromhall, Ingleston Common, Winterbourne Down, Henbury and Clifton Down, Bristol; and S.—Leigh Woods, Abbots Leigh, Sand Point and Batheaston, Apr. 19—June 14. GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Singing g¢ reported from: G.—Frampton on Severn, Damery, Tortworth, Cromhall, New Passage, Chittening, Filton, and BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 43 Stapleton and Clifton Down, Bristol; and $.—Leigh Woods, Ashton Hill Plantation, St. George’s Wharf, Weston in Gordano, Clevedon, Kingston Seymour, Sand Bay, Sand Point, Brean Down, Wavering Down, Blackdown, Chew Valley res., Hunstrete, Pensford, Newton St. Loe and Bathford. BiackcaP Sylvia atricapilla Wintering pairs reported from Westbury on Trym and Sneyd Park, Bristol; several other individuals ringed, latter place and Abbot’s Leigh, late Nov. and December (HRHL, TBs, GAW). Woop WarBLER_ Pahylloscopus sibilatrix Reports of up to seven from: G.—Clifton Down, Bristol; and S.—Leigh Woods, Abbot’s Pool, Ashton Park, Ashton Hill Planta- tion, Clevedon; Brockley, Goblin and Burrington Combes; Cleeve, Weston Woods, W. Horrington, Emborough and Rainbow Wood, Bath, May 3—Aug. 23. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus G. Single birds, Frampton on Severn, Mar. 3 and 24th (LPA, LTCS). S. One, Chew Valley res., Nov. 8 (ajp). Prep FLYCATCHER Muscicapa hypoleuca S. One, Brean Down, Aug. 27 (BR). Tree Pipir Anthus trivialis Breeding proved, Priddy. Up to four, Frampton on Severn, St. George’s Wharf, Leigh Woods, Backwell Hill, Goblin Combe, Wrington Warren, Brean Down and W. Horrington, Apr. 15- Aug. 30. Rock Pipir Anthus spinoletta petrosus S. Inland records of single birds, Cheddar res., Mar. 30, Oct. 24 and 25th, and Nov. 29 (Pjc, JAMCG, BR). WatTER Pipir Anthus spinoletta spinoletta S. Reports (44) of up to four, Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Jan. 9—-Apr. 5 and Nov. 8—Dec. 28. Waite WactaiLt Motacilla alba alba One or two reported, New Grounds, Wick, Sand Bay, Uphill and Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Apr. and Sept., but at least six, Cheddar res., Apr. 28 (BR). BLUE-HEADED WacTAIL Motacilla flava flava S. Male, Cheddar res., Aug. 6, showed characters of this form (JAMCG). 44 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Waxwinc Bombycilla garrulus G. Up to three, Uley, Nov. 9 and 13th (rc), New Grounds, 15th and 20th (wr) and Frampton Cotterell, 17th (jEc). One, Clifton Down, Bristol, Dec. 31 (PLG). ! S. Two, Cleeve, Dec. 4 (vc); one, Southville, Bristol, 31st (PLG). GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lantus excubitor S. Single birds, Brean Down, Oct. 18 (BR) and Rookham, Dec. 10 to end year and into 1971 (jAmcG et al.); two different birds seen, latter place, in quick succession, Dec. 13 (JAMcG). HawrincH Coccothraustes coccothraustes G. Up to four, Clifton and Durdham Downs, Bristol, Feb. 22— May 31 (RH, HRHL, NTL, TBS). S. Breeding proved, Rainbow Wood, Bath (Rc). Single birds, Wraxall, Jan.—Feb. (wc), Leigh Woods, Apr. 13 (GBB) and Failand, May 15 (JJ): SISKIN Carduelis spinus G. Up to 70, Frampton Pools, Jan. 4-Mar. 25; 20, same place, Nov. 29; six, R. Avon, Hanham, Dec. 27: S. Twenty-four reports of up to 80, mainly from coast and reser- voirs, Feb. 14—Apr. 19 and Oct. 4—-Nov. 28. REDPOLL Carduelis flammea Reports (47) of up to 18 from nineteen coastal and inland localities, Jan. 4-May 19 and Sept. 20—Nov. 25. BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Reports (20) of up to 60 from twelve localities, Jan. 3-Mar. 16 and Nov., but 200, Severn Beach, Feb. 15 (RcT) and 300, Sand Bay, Oct. 29) Gra): Corn Buntinc Emberiza calandra G. Count of 71 singing gg and a family party of eight, Acton Turville—Marshfield-Tormarton area, June (ADL et al.)—cf. 66 in 1969 and 77 in 1968. Two, Frampton on Severn, July 18. S. Up to five, Clevedon, Yoxter (Mendip), Charterhouse, Queen Charlton and Lansdown, May 26-July 8. Cirt Buntinc LEmberiza cirlus Four, Bleadon Hill, Mar. 30. Records of singing ¢¢ from Horse- shoe Bend, R. Avon (Bristol), Winford, Cheddar, Cheddar res., and Compton Bishop, but fewer reports than usual. Snow Buntinc — Plectrophenax nivalis G. One, New Grounds, Nov. 14 (LPA); one, Frampton Pools, Nov. 22 (RKB). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 45 S. Up to five, Portishead, Sand Bay and Cheddar res., Jan. 21- Mar. 5 and Dec. 9-31 (TB, BR, MAS). TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Reports (24) of up to 35 from fifteen localities. OTHER COMMON OR REGULARLY OCCURRING SPECIES PRESENT (those marked * are mentioned in the Foreword). Residents: Little Grebe, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay; Great, Blue, Coal, Marsh and Long-tailed Tits; Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Goldcrest, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow. Summer or Winter visitors or passage migrants: Swift, Swallow,* House Martin*; Reed, Sedge and Garden Warblers; Whitethroat*, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff*, Spotted Flycatcher. BOUNDARY OF THE BrisToL DISTRICT From Jan. 1, 1968 the boundaries of the area covered by this report were changed so as to facilitate consistent recording by providing readily recognisable boundaries. The District is now defined as follows: that part of Glos. lying east of the Severn, bounded on the N. by the R. Frome from its mouth at Arlingham Bend inland to Dudbridge, then by its tributary S. to Avening, then by the A 434 road through Tetbury to the Wilts. border; and that part of Somerset bounded on the S. by the R. Axe from its mouth to Wookey, and then by the B 3139, A 371, A 361 and B 30908 roads through Wells, Shepton Mallet and Frome to the Wilts. border. Brean Down, Steep Holm and The Denny are deemed to lie within the area. 46 LEPIDOPTERA NOWES BRISTOL DISTRIGT ae BUTTERFLIES By M. A. Sitcocxs HIS is a much shorter report than previous years, due to lack of space. Manyrecords have been received of the commonerspecies and all have been filed for future reference. It is hoped that at least as many will be received for 1971 when it is anticipated that a comprehensive report will again be published. Contributors were: R. Angles (RA), T. Bomford (TB), J. M. Boyd (jms), A. R. D. Brown (ARpDB), J. F. Burton (jrB), R. M. Curber (rmc), B. J. Gregory (nyc), A. N. Grose (ANG), B. L. Kington (Bik), T. B. and M. A. Silcocks (T and ms), R. B. Tunstall (rBT), Miss D. Withers (pw). G and S refer to West Gloucestershire and North Somerset respectively. Eumenis semele L. (Grayling) G. Bream: several, July 30 (ANG). S. Reported from Brean Down, Sand Point, Dolebury Warren and Goblin Combe (RA, BLK, Ms). Maniola jurtina L. (Meadow Brown) S. Crook Peak: 1, May 24, an early date (jr). Argynnis selene Schiff. (Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary) G. Blackpool Bridge: several, June 3 (ANG). S. Charterhouse: 10, June 20 (T and ms); Goblin Combe, 12, July 5 (ARDB). Argynnis euphrosyne L. (Pearl-bordered Fritillary) G. Forest of Dean: 8, May 26 (Arps); 1 near Tintern, June 1 (ANG). Argynnis aglaia L. (Dark Green Fritillary) G. Midger Wood: 1, June 23; Stinchcombe: several , July 23; Kilkenny: 3, July 11 (ANG); Saddlewood Roughs: 1, August 8 (ARDB). S. Brean Down: 1, June 21 and August 7 (RA); Goblin Combe: 12-15, July 5 and 17 (ARDB), 20, July 29 (T and ms); Sandford Hill: 4, July 30 (T and ms); Charterhouse: 2, August 7 (ARDB); Dolebury Warren: 2, August 14 (BLK). Argynnis cydippe L. (High Brown Fritillary) S. Goblin Combe: 2 males and 1 female, July 5 (ARDB). Arg ynnis paphia L. (Silver Washed Fritillary) G. Edge: 1, July 29; Saddlewood Roughs: 2 males and 1 female, August 8 (ARDB); Dymock Wood: several, July 6 and 13; Gorley: 3, July 7; Blackpool Bridge: 4, July 11 (ANG). S. Clevedon: 1, August 2 (T and ms). Euphydryas aurinia Rott. (Marsh Fritillary) S. Charterhouse: common, June 4, 5, June 20 (T and Ms). Polygonia c-album L. (Comma) Again recorded from many localities, the two latest were Clevedon: 1 in fresh condition, October 17 (jrB) and Congresbury: 1, November 12 (RBT). Limenitis camilla L. (White Admiral) G. Michael Wood: 12, July 4 (ARDB); Inglestone Common: 2, July 23 (ANG). Several sites in the Forest of Dean and near Newent, early July (ANG). Hamearis lucina L. (Duke of Burgundy Fritillary) Reports of single specimens have come from two localities in Gloucestershire, June 2 and 11 (ANG). LEPIDOPTERA NOTES 47 Cupido minimus Fuessl. (Small Blue) G. Barnsley Warren: several, June 2 (ANG). Callophrys rubi L. (Green Hairstreak) S. Sandford Hill: 4, June 4 (Tv and ms), the only record received. Thecla quercus L. (Purple Hairstreak) G. Dymock Wood: 1, July 13; Blackpool Bridge: many, July 22 (ANG); Filton: 1, July 21 (RA). S. Westhay Heath: 1, July 5 (jms). Strymonidia w-album Knoch. (White-Letter Hairstreak) G. Kingsweston Hill: several, July 15; Humbleby Wood: 1, July 29 (ANG); Michael Wood: 1, July 4; Falfield: 1, July 7; Saddlewood Roughs: 1, August 8 (ARDB); Fishponds: 3, July 30 (BLK). Leptidea sinapis L. (Wood White) One record received from Gloucestershire, June 10 (ANG). Colias croceus Fourc. (Clouded Yellow) S. Sand Bay: 1, June 23 (TB). MOTHS By K. H. Poo.e HE following list has been compiled from records received from C. S. H. Blathwayt (c.s.H.B.), A. D. R. Brown (A.pD.R.B.), J. F. Burton (j.F.B.), K. H. Poole (k.u.p.) and T. B. Silcocks (T.z.s.). Records of migrants were few, but included Acherontia atropos, Macroglossum stellatarum and Leucania untpuncta. Acherontia atropos L. (Death’s Head Hawkmoth), Bath, Sept. 14 (jrs). a stellatarum L. (Hummingbird Hawkmoth), Falfield, Glos., July 7* ADRB). Stauropus fagi L. (Lobster), Abbots Leigh, July 7 (TBs). Polyploca ridens Fab. (Frosted Green), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, May 5 (KHP), Abbots Leigh, May to (TBs). Dasychira pudibunda L. (Pale Tussock), Clevedon, June 3 (JjFB). Leucoma salicis L. (White Satin), Weston-s-Mare, June 20 (CSHB). Trichiura crataegi L. (Pale Eggar), Shapwick, Sept. 5, common (csHB). Cycnia mendica Cl. (Muslin), Weston-s-Mare, Nov. 27, an unusual date (csHB) Eilema deplana Esp. (Buff Footman), Weston-s-Mare, Aug. 8 (CsHB). Lithosia lurideola Zinck. (Common Footman), Clevedon, Aug. 5 (JFB). Apatele alni L. (Alder), Weston-s-Mare, several, end of May and early June (csHB), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, May 9 (KHP). Apatele tridens Schiff. (Dark Dagger), Sand Bay, Kewstoke, larva on willow, Sept. 27° (TRS). Anaplectoides prasina Schiff. (Green Arches), Abbots Leigh, June 11 (TBs). Hadena thalassina Hufn. \Pale-shouldered Brocade), Clevedon, Aug. 5 (jrB). Hi. bombycina Hufn. (glauca Hubn.) (Glaucous Shears), Weston-s-Mare, May 31 (CSHB). H1. conspersa Sch. (Marbled Coronet), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, July 6 (KHP). Eremobia ochroleuca Esp. (Dusky Sallow), Nedge, Wootton-under-Edge, Aug. 8* (TBs), Weston-s-Mare, Aug. 3 (CSHB). Antitype chi L. (Grey chi), Abbots Leigh, Aug. 28* (rs) 48 K. H. POOLE Apamea unanimis Hubn. (Small Clouded Brindle), Shapwick, May 29 (cs#Hp). A. scolopacina Esp. (Slender Brindle), Weston-s-Mare, Aug. 8 (csHB). Leucania unipuncta Haw. (White-Speck Wainscot), Weston-s-Mare, Sept. 29 (CSHB). A. scolopacina Esp. (Slender Brindle), Weston-s-Mare, Aug. 8 (csHB). Leucania unipuncta Haw. (White-Speck Wainscot), Weston-s-Mare, Sept. 29 (CSHB). Cerastis rubricosa Schiff. (Red Chestnut), Abbots Leigh, April 12 (2), April 15 (TBs), Parastichtis suspecta Hb. (Suspected), Shapwick, July 23 (common) (csHB). Xanthorhoé ferrugata Cl. (Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet), Clevedon, Aug. 5 (JFB). Coenotephria derivata Schiff. (Streamer), Abbots Leigh, May to (TBs). Pelurga comitata L. (Dark Spinach), Shapwick, July 23 (common) (csHB). Perizoma bifaciata Haw. (Barred Rivulet), Weston-s-Mare, Aug. 11 (CSHB). Eupithecia indigata Hubn. (Ochreous Pug), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, June 9 (KHP). E. venosata Fab. (Netted Pug), Abbots Leigh, June 4 (Ts). Apeira syringaria L. (Lilac Beauty), Abbots Leigh, June 27 (TBs). Ee iets Hb. (Brindled White Spot), Weston-s-Mare, early June (several) CSHB). Bupalus piniaria L. (Bordered White), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, June 9 (KHP). Kygaena trifolit Esp. ssp. decreta (Five-spot Burnet), Walton Moor, Gordano Valley, July 20*, very numerous, varieties frequent, including one ab. minoides and two with dull orange spots and hindwings (jr). Unless marked * all were noted at light, and in single specimens except where shown otherwise. ODONATA (DRAGONFLIES) HE following records, all from North Somerset, have been contributed by Mr. J. M. Boyd. Agrion splendens Harris (Banded Agrion), Stoke Moor, May 17 (5), May 31 (numerous). Lestes sponsa Hansemann (Green Lestes), Westhay Heath, July 5-Sept. 6 (small colony). Pyrrhosoma nymphula Sulzer (Large Red Damselfly), from May 16, throughout the rhyne country. Ischnura elegans Van der Linden (Common Ischnura), May 30 to Sept. 20, through- out the rhyne country and Blagdon. Enallagma cyathigerum Charpentier (Common Blue Damselfly), Blagdon, July 11. Coenagrion puella L. (Common Coenagrion), May 17 to July 26, throughout the rhyne country in swarms. Brachytron pratense Miller (Hairy Dragonfly), May 30 to June 28. Stoke Moor, Westhay and Weston Moor. Aeshna mixta Latr. (Scarce Aeshna), Sept. 20 to 17 Oct. Colonies at Dolemoor and Sedgemoor. Individuals at Kingston Seymour and Hewish. In 1069 was also seen at Hermotts Pool, Wick St. Lawrence and Blagdon, but these colonies were not visited in 1970. A, cyanea Miller (Southern Aeshna), Westhay Heath, June 14 (2, immature). A. grandis L. (Brown Aeshna), Dolemoor, Congresbury, Sept. 27. Sympetrum sanguineum Miller (Ruddy Sympetrum), July 11, Bladgon Lake (25-40). Sympetrum striolatum Charpentier (Common Sympetrum), June 14 to Oct. 17. Common throughout the rhyne country. Libellula quadrimaculata L. (Four-spotted Libellula), May 30 to July 5, Weston Moor, Sedgemoor, and Westhay, sometimes in large numbers. L. drepessa L. (Broad-bodied Libellula), June 7 to 28. Catcott grounds and Westhay Heath, in fair numbers. | 49 MAMMAL SURVEY BRISTOL DISTRICT, 1970 By Rocer G. SyMEs HE Mammal Section extended its area under survey to cover all those parts of Gloucestershire and Somerset within the northern half of the rookm. square ST, corresponding roughly in the north to a line from Berkeley to Cirencester, and in the south to one from Burnham-on-Sea to Frome. Although 299 records of observations were received for 1970 this was the lowest total for five years. It was however most encouraging that the number of species recorded was 30, the highest yet. This, with one exception, is not thought to be due to new species entering the district but rather to the fact that more members are becoming interested enough to submit specific records for the species they observe. Previously two or three indivi- duals had been responsible for a large proportion of all records received. The confirmation of the presence in the Bristol area of the introduced Chinese Muntjac deer is most exciting and should lead to many more observations. Thanks for records are due to Mrs. Anstee, Mrs. B. Bickerton (BB), J. M. Boyd, F. J. Bryant, Bristol Evening Post (BEP), Bristol Young Naturalists, J. F. Burton (jFB), R. L. Clarke, G. E. Clothier, M. Collins (Mc), R. M. Curber (rMc), Dr. A. F. Devonshire, Miss C. Graham, Miss I. F. Gravestock, R. G. Hamilton (rcGH), H.R. Hammacott (HrR#), W. Harrison (wu), N. P. Humphris, Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Hockey, Miss L. E. Hurrell (LEH), J. M. Jarrett, A. F. Jayne, Mrs. R. E. Knight (REK), Mary (MK) and Martin Krajenski, Miss E. J. Lenton (EjL), Miss S. Lewis, Mrs. I. M. McKeag (mmc), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), A. D. Oldham (apo), E. W. Powell (Ewp), R. D. Ransome (rprR), F. H. Rawlings (FHR), J. G. Riley (jcr), Dr. R. J. G. Savage, M. J. Scott, E. S. Smith, M. Smith (ms), Mrs. V. C. B. Trewman (vcst), G. A. Turrell (Gar), R. G. Williams, Miss D. Withers (pw), M. Zobel. Check list numbers and names are taken from Corbet (1964). 1. HEDGEHOG. Erinaceus europaeus. The few records received were valuable. A pair was seen mating on 26 May at 23.45 BST (HRH) and a photograph of a litter of 5 newly-born young was published on 24 June (BEP). Earliest activity noted was on 2 (EWP) and 6 February (FHR), on the latter occasion the air temperature was about 0° C. Latest records, probably of juveniles of late litters which would not survive the winter, were on 1 (RMc) and 18 December (RGs). 2. MOLE. Talpa europaea. Records from Somerset included 4 found dead. There were only 2 records from within the City of Bristol and work on establishing the inner limits of the mole’s range continues. D 50 R. G. SYMES 3. COMMON SHREW. Sorex araneus. Skulls found in bottles and owl pellets were the major source of records. Bottles found in one — area of Poor’s Allotment contained 45 skulls of this species alone. Ways are being sought of keeping trapped shrews alive overnight. 4. PYGMY SHREW. Sorex minutus. Trapped on field meetings at Midford (Rmc) and Long Wood Wildlife Reserve (rcs). Both specimens had died in flap traps. 5. WATER SHREW. Neomys fodiens. ‘Two skulls found in bottles at Poor’s Allotment (RrGs) were the only records, and the first for that locality. 8. GREATER HORSESHOE BAT. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. Thanks mainly to M. Collins who is ringing this species on the Mendips a good batch of new records was received. Sightings mostly in caves were made at Banwell, Loxton, Burrington Combe, Cheddar, Wookey Hole, Clevedon, Winford, Dundry, Easton-in- Gordano, Coombe Down, Avon Gorge (mc) and Wraxall where a male found dead (RGH) had been ringed on 14 December 1963 at Cheddar and had since been recaptured four times on the Mendips (ADO). g. LESSER HORSESHOE BAT. Rhinolophus hipposideros. Re- corded from Hutton, Compton Bishop, Banwell, Axbridge, Burring- ton Combe, Cheddar, Draycott, Priddy, Ubley, Winford, Dundry, Easton-in-Gordano, Stoke St. Michael, Limpley Stoke (mc) and Ebbor Gorge (RMC). 11. WHISKERED BAT. Myotis mystacinus. Recorded from a Somerset Cave (RDR, MC). 12. NATTERER’S BAT. Myotis natierern. Found with the whiskered bats (RDR, MC). 21. COMMON LONG-EARED BAT. Plecotus auritus. One dis- covered amongst greater horseshoe bats in another Somerset cave (RDR, MC) was our first confirmed record. 24. FOX. Vulpes vulpes. Mr. Rawlings, Fox Recorder, reports that whilst records of sightings within the City of Bristol over the past few years have indicated the possible locations of earths, actual sites are now being reported. Food is put out and taken regularly in four places and one interesting report detailed dates and times when foxes in one locality were heard calling. ‘wo records of cubs were received, more with specific dates would be welcomed. A fox living in Eastville Stadium disrupted greyhound racing several times (BEP) and one at Kenn was shot whilst up a tree (JFB). MAMMAL SURVEY 51 27. STOAT. Mustela erminea. After several lean years there was a most welcome increase in the number of records of this, and the next, species. All records of stoats were from Somerset. T'wo were seen fighting in Ashton Park on 21 September (Jrs). 28. WEASEL. Mustela nivalis. Recorded in Somerset at Chew Valley, Nailsea (HRH), Long Wood (ms), Priddy (mc), Easton-in- Gordano (wH) and Failand (vcsr). Gloucestershire records were at Spaniorum Hill (£jL) and Falfield (REx). 30. AMERICAN MINK. Mustela vison. Reported in Somerset from Rivers Parrett, Little, Banwell, Yeo (MAFF), and Axe (GEC). Only recorded on the Leadon in Gloucestershire. 31. BADGER. Meles meles. Valuable information on locations of setts is gradually accumulating but there have been very few records of cubs. Eight badgers were reported killed on roads, six in Somerset, two in Gloucestershire. It is disturbing to reflect that the number of corpses reported must represent a small percentage of actual casualties. 32. OTTER. Lutra lutra. Several people mistakenly reported mink as otters but positive evidence of possibly more than one animal was found on one river (LEH), the location of which is not being published. 42. RED DEER. Cervus elaphus. Sightings of 6, almost certainly escaped from captivity, were reported from Berkeley (GAT). 45. ROE-DEER. Capreolus capreolus. Slots were recorded regularly at Stockhill Plantation. 47. CHINESE MUNTJAC. Muntiacus reevesi. Sighting reported from Cirencester area. This species appears to be spreading widely and a careful watch should be kept for it. It is even likely to establish itself in semi-urban areas. 53. BROWN HARE. Lepus capensis. Nearly all records from Somer- set. Mr. J. M. Boyd reports that he and many others had the impression that hares were more numerous than in 1969. 55. RABBIT. Oryctolagus cuniculus. Records received from many areas in Gloucestershire and Somerset. Two records of young seen in May (REK, Dw). Myxomatosis reported around Chew Valley Lake in the autumn (HRH). 57- GREY SQUIRREL. Sciurus carolinensis. Many reports of sightings of both live animals and dreys. Several people com- mented on the very reddish-brown colour of some individuals. One was reported to have held up traffic whilst it groomed itself on a main road (JGR), whilst another was seen to steal a banana from a fruit bowl inside an open window of a house (IMMc). 52 R. G. SYMES 59. DORMOUSE. Muscardinus avellanarius. One was found inside | a bird nest box at Hardington Moor, Yeovil (BB) in September. 62. WOOD MOUSE. Apodemus sylvaticus. Trapped on most field meetings; one was badly chilled due to the unfortunate use of damp | bedding in traps. Majority of those caught have been males. One | found in a nest box 7 ft. up a tree had evidently carried many | leaves up to the box (HRH). | 64. HOUSE MOUSE. Mus musculus. Several reports from premises in Bristol. Very few records have been received of house | mice living away from buildings. | 65. BLACK RAT. Rattus rattus. 3 reports from Bristol, 5 indivi- | duals poisoned in a warehouse at Old Market being R.r.frugivorus. _ Heavy infestation reported from factory at Yatton where they were | thought to have been introduced in a freight container (RGs). | 66. BROWN RAT. Rattus norvegicus. Most records from urban areas but one skull found in bottle at Poor’s Allotment (RGs). 67. BANK VOLE. Clethrionomys glareolus. Trapped at several sites and a number of skulls found in bottles and pellets. One out of eleven skulls found at Poor’s Allotment exhibited the ‘“‘complex” condition of the upper third molar (Southern 1964). 68. WATER VOLE. Arvicola terrestris. Sightings on Rivers Avon (RGs) and Frome (MK) and Wellow Brook, Midford (£jL). Apparent absence in recent years reported from Nailsea Moor (HRH), this might be due to the depredations of mink. 69. FIELD VOLE. Microtus agrestis. Records from Nailsea (HRH), Poor’s Allotment, Long Wood (res), Midford (RMc) and Spaniorum Hill (gx). No harvest mice or yellow-necked mice were found in 1970. Several members sent in records of sightings of unidentified bats. These are most useful in helping to establish the localities of roosts and all observations should be reported. Any bodies of dead bats should be preserved for confirmation of identification. REFERENCES Corbet, G. B. 1964. The Identification of British Mammals. British Museum (Nat. Hist.), London. Southern, H. N. 1964. Handbook of British Mammals. Oxford: Blackwell. A HERBARIUM BOOK OF DR. ARTHUR BROUGHTON By A. J. Witiis AND D. GLEDHILL (Departments of Botany, University of Sheffield and University of Bristol) R. Arthur Broughton, described in William Barrett’s History and Antiquities of the City of Bristol (1789) as an “‘ingenious physician and botanist’’, was Physician to the Royal Infirmary from 1780 to 1786 (White, 1912), and whilst in Bristol made a number of records of plants of the area, especially in the Avon Gorge. A catalogue of “rarer plants, etc., found about St. Vincent’s Rock’’ by Dr. Broughton is given by Barrett (1789). White (1912, p.67) states that Dr. Broughton’s collections, chiefly botanical, were bequeathed to the City of Bristol and housed in the King Street Library, but that “‘no one knows what has become of them’’ and that no trace could be found of them at King Street in 1893. In October 1970 the existence of a herbarium book of 1779 by Dr. Broughton, held by Miss V. J. Macnair of Welshpool, Mont- gomeryshire, was drawn to the attention of one of us (A.J.W.) by Mrs. H. R. H. Vaughan, M.B.E. (Welsh Region B.S.B.I. secretary), who realized its possible interest and significance in respect of Bristol Botany. Miss Macnair, who was given the single volume by the late Miss M. H. Asterley, wished to find an appropriate reposi- tory for the book and, as the collections of White and other Bristol botanists are housed in the Department of Botany of the University of Bristol, it was thought appropriate to add the Broughton collec- tion to this Herbarium. Miss Macnair kindly presented the book to the Herbarium of the University Department of Botany, and it was transferred there (by D.G.) in November 1970. The large (19 xX 12 in.) leather-bound book is much worn, and has 233 pages, many being blank and others bearing up to four plants, arranged and named according to the second Sexual System of Linnaeus. Unfortunately the only additional information is the common English names of each plant. The book appears subse- quently to have been used as a plant press, and several specimens added (initialled J.H.O.) by the late J. H. Owen. The title page is hand-written as follows: Herbarium siccum complectens plantas quae per Insulas Britannicas sponte crescentes, inveniuntur secundum Systema sexuale distributas, et in Ordine Florae Anglicae dis- -positas. Tomus Primus. Collegit Arthurus Broughton M.D. Nosocomiii Bristoliensis Medicus et Societatis regiae medicae Edinensis Socius 1779. 54 A. J. WILLIS AND D. GLEDHILL The book originally contained 434 named specimens but four are missing and a few are damaged by mites. A fly-sheet lists 322 ““plants which are deficient’’, from which it appears that Broughton intended the book to be a complete collection in the sense of Hudson’s Flora Anglica (1778). This ‘first book’ includes plants from only the first fifteen of the classes of Linnaeus, and it seems probable that a second book comprised the remaining nine classes. Of greatest value and significance in the book is a slip of paper bearing a manuscript list of species with their localities in the Avon Gorge and elsewhere in and around Bristol, but not all of these species which could be included in the first volume Herbarium book are represented. The full list is given below, in the order originally written, and where there has been a change of nomenclature, or in the names of localities, the modern names are included in paren- theses after the entries. Orchis pyramidalis Brislington Salicornia europaea Posset (Anacamfptis pyramidalis) (Portishead) Chlora perfoliata Chenopodium maritimum ai (Blackstonia perfoliata) (Suaeda maritima) Hedysarum onobrychis i Malva moschata ” (Onobrychis victifolia) ; Ervum tetraspermum Leigh Sedum dasyphyllum Clifton (Vicia tetrasperma) Wood(s) Cotyledon umb. veneris Redland Verbascum thapsus i (Umbilicus rupestris) Campanula trachelium ? Hypericum hirsutum 5 Ophrys apifera A Chenopodium serotinum 7» Ophrys ovata (C. ficifolium) (Listera ovata) Mercurialis annua 09 Rubia peregrina * Gentiana centaurium fl. alba Wraxal(1) Monotropa hypopithys bs (Centaurium erythraea) (M. hypopitys) Lythrum salicaria ” Prenanthes muralis s caul. 4. ang. (Mycelis muralis) Sagina erecta ” Inula dysenterica Henbury (Moenchia erecta) : (Pulicaria dysenterica) Lioipes eS Be Se : Aegilops incurva Banks of fe cinos arvensis) OCKS (Parapholis incurva) Severn Lypericum montanum ” Ch a hi Redelith Antirrhinum minus ss see dia rela 7 (Chaenorhinum minus) Ehilobuew a Orchis macilatn vy < obium tetragonum 2 Be (Dactylorhiza maculata) riba tne tes © M. ds Poterium sanguisorba Af Ch Fae / care Asplenium ceterach Bedminster Ber OPI UTE 4g ; Posset Point (Ceterach officinarum) Lathyrus latifolius Centaurea scabiosa St. Vincent’s (Portishead Rocks ; Point) Glaux maritima N(ew) Lathyrus palustris r» Passage Euphorbia exigua is Arenaria marina si Erigeron acre St. Vincent’s (Spergularia marina) (E. acer) Rocks Chelidonium glaucium Epilobium ramosum Hengrove (Glaucium flavum) (E. hirsutum) Pastinaca sylvestris op (P. sativa) Hedypnois hispidum (Leontodon hispidus) a) Gentiana aamorella [sic] (Gentianella amarella) ’ Veronica spicata Carduus acaulis (Cirsium acaule) Carduus crispus (C. acanthoides) Aster tripolium Solidago virga aurea (S. virgaurea) Dipsacus pilosus Galeopsis ladanum Brassica muralis (Diplotaxis muralis) Lichen nigrescens (Collema nigrescens) Solanum nigrum Clavaria muscoides HERBARIUM BOOK Leigh Wood(s) Hotwells Riverside a) 99 Coach Yard Durdham (Clavulinopsis corniculata) Down Agaricus aurantiacus (Lactarius aurantiacus) Viscus quercinus (Viscum album) Lichen floridus (Usnea florida) Peziza coccinea (Aleuria aurantia) Lycoperdon fraxineum (Daldinia concentrica) Peziza atra (Ascobolus furfuraceus) Peziza scutellata (Scutellinia scutellata) Pimpinella dioica (Trinia glauca) Scilla autumnalis »”? Corston a) Leigh Wood (s) Redland 2? St. Vincent’s Rocks a? Ophrys spiralis (Spiranthes spiralis) Conyza squarrosa (Inula conyza) Lepidium petraeum (Hornungi2 petraea) Arabis stricta (A. scabra) Viola hirta? Lathraea squamaria Lepidium ruderale Aquilegia vulgaris Arenaria tenuifolia (Minuartia hybrida) Geranium sanguineum Turritis hirsuta (Arabis hirsuta) Agaricus androsaceus (Marasmius androsaceus) Orchis maculata (Dactylorhiza maculata) Scabiosa columbaria Orchis bifolia (Platanthera bifolia) Oenanthe fistulosa Lysimachia nummularia Hydrocharis morsus-ranae Scutellaria galericulata Euonymus europaeus Screw’s Hole (Crew’s Hole, Hanham) St. Vincent’s Rocks Durdham Down Leigh Down St. Vincent’s Rocks St. Vincent’s Rocks under Cook’s Folly Below K (ings) Weston ?? about Henbury This list may form a forerunner of the “‘catalogue of rarer plants, etc., found about St. Vincent’s rocks” by Dr. Broughton and published, together with a list of fossils, corals, earths, crystals, metals and marine exuviae, by Barrett (1789). However, the list in the Herbarium book does not include Gallium [sic] montanum, Bupleurum tenussimum [sic], Smyrnium olusatrum, Sedum rupestre, Potentilla verna, Ornithosus persiesillus [sic], Hippocrepis carnosa [sic], Viola livida, Orchys [sic] muscifera and Polypodium fragile given in Broughton’s catalogue for St. Vincent’s Rocks by Barrett (1789), and some of the plants on the list in the Herbarium book are not included in the catalogue. It seems probable that the list in the Herbarium book stems from Dr. Broughton’s own observations in the field, some of which were communicated to William Withering and given in the third edition (1796) of his four-volume Arrangement of British Plants (see also White, 1912, p.66). Dr. Broughton and Mr. Ford are mentioned by 56 A. J. WILLIS AND D. GLEDHILL Withering with reference to Arabis stricta (scabra) and Turritis (Arabis) hirsuta on St. Vincent’s Rocks. Although rarities such as Arabis scabra, Geranium sanguineum, Scilla autumnalis and Trinia glauca were known from St. Vincent’s Rocks before the observations of Dr. Broughton, he undoubtedly made several first records for the district, including Bupleurum tenuissimum from “‘Boggy ground at the western end of St. Vincent’s rocks, near Cook’s Folley” noted by Withering (1796). The list now available strongly suggests that Dr. Broughton was the first recorder of a number of other plants for the Bristol area, among them probably Chaenorhinum minus, Lathraea squamaria and Spiranthes spiralis from St. Vincent’s Rocks, Campanula trachelium, Gentianella amarella, Monotropa hypofitys, Ophrys apifera and Veronica spicata from Leigh Woods and Chenopodium ficifolium from Redland. The record of Veronica spicata from Leigh Woods is of considerable interest for while this plant was known from St. Vincent’s Rocks from 1641 onwards, where it persists in fair quantity, there are no other reports of it from Leigh Woods apart from two this century (1912, 1960). V. spicata is now an extreme rarity in Leigh Woods and seldom flowers there. It is of note that an inventory of plants from St. Vincent’s Rocks and neighbourhood published in Shiercliff’s Bristol and Hotwell Guide (1789) contains a substantial number of the plants on Dr. Broughton’s list. Changed conditions over two centuries have doubtless resulted in the loss of plants from some of the sites which Dr. Broughton men- tions, e.g., probably Anacamptis pyramidalis from Brislington, and Scilla autumnalis is now exceedingly reduced on the Avon Gorge where it has not been seen in flower for several years. There are no recent records of Minuartia hybrida from St. Vincent’s Rocks or any reports of Lathraea squamaria from there, although the latter is now known elsewhere on the Bristol side of the Gorge. Platanthera bifolia is probably lost from under Cook’s Folly, although it was known on Durdham Down in the first half of the last century (White, 1912). Moenchia erecta, not represented in Dr. Broughton’s Herbarium book, once existed on Brandon Hill (White, 1912), but has not been reported subsequently from Wraxall. One or two of the details in Dr. Broughton’s list seem open to doubt: the record of Parapholis incurva (Banks of Severn) probably refers to P. strigosa (these related species were earlier not well under- stood), and Lathyrus palustris at Portishead is perhaps questionable. Although no ‘“Tomus Secundus”’ or other collections have been found and uncertainties remain, the appearance of the Herbarium book is most welcome and has helped to make the historical record of Bristol Botany more complete. HERBARIUM BOOK 57 ACKNOWLEDGMENT We are indebted to Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott for helpful comments on this paper. REFERENCES Barrett, William 1789. The History and Antiquities of the City of Bristol. Pine, Bristol. Hudson, G. 1778. Flora Anglica. Vols. 1-2, st edn. Nourse, London. Shiercliff, E. 1789. The Bristol and Hotwell Guide, etc. 1st edn. Bulgin and Rosser, Bristol. White, J. W. 1912. The Flora of Bristol. Wright, Bristol. Withering, William 1796. An Arrangement of British Plants. Vols. 1-4, 3rd edn. Swinney, Birmingham. Book Review A Handbook of Water Plants. E. M. Burscur 1968, translated by Hella Czech. pp 128. Frederick Warne & Co., 65p. The English translation of this book could be better. Many phrases and sentences are so constructed as to be ambiguous (‘The small golden yellow flowers of the Cruciferae type have inflorescences with many flowers in corymbs’ p 60) or very hard to read. Occasional wrong words are used and this adds to the confusion (p 18— the variety of attached organisms is referred to as their composition and on p 20 a simple leaf shape is defined as an entire leaf shape). There are few spelling mistakes (brachts, p 33) but two orthographic errors are persisted with throughout the book (Rumex hydrolaphatum instead of Rumex hydrolapathum and Riciella instead of Ricciella). The first quarter of the text is a mixture of detail and generalisation about the aquatic environment and its plants. It also contains a set of simple keys by which the plants dealt with can be identified. The illustrated glossary of terms used in the keys is not related to the remaining text; which increasingly assumes previous knowledge but at the same time ignores its own earlier groundwork (p 73- a lanceolate leaf has now become a lance-shaped leaf but its base is now cordate and the glossary has not explained this term, although five of its illustrations are of cordate- based leaves). The main descriptive text is liberally and well illustrated but the flower of Lythrum (p 62) could have been further removed from the legend for Hippuris. It consists of notes on habitats, characteristics and generalities, of which the last are aimed at the interests of fishermen. I consider that a book so potentially interesting to aquarium and water-garden enthusiasts, as well as a wider range of naturalists, deserved much greater care in the pre-issue stages than has apparently been the case. At 65p it is a little expensive when compared with many of the recent colour- illustrated and much more error-free books on plants. D. Gledhill. 58 THE STRATIGRAPHY OF 2hHe STONEHOUSE AND TUFFLEY CLAY Pits GLOUCESTERSHIRE By CHARLES Puitip PALMER ECTIONS in the upper part of the Lower Lias and in the Middle Lias at Stonehouse and Tuffley are described. These sections are correlated with each other and with the succession in the Stowell Park Borehole. A comparison is made with the corres- ponding part of the succession on the Dorset Coast. Introduction Two well known Liassic clay pits in Gloucestershire have long remained in need of detailed description. The first pit belongs to the Stonehouse Brick and Tile Co. (map ref. S.O. 816050), where approximately 16oft. of clays, capped by the Marlstone Rock Bed, are exposed in a steep but accessible quarry face. ‘This pit appears not to have been previously described, although Richardson (1910, 254 & pl. 3) made several references to it. He included a photograph of the brick works and part of the clay pit together with details of brick-making techniques em- ployed there during the first decade of this century. The second is the better known, but long disused, pit at Tuffley, Robin’s Wood Hill (map ref. S.O. 836149), which has been the subject of two Geological Association Excursion Reports. The first (Watts 1928, 139) was a general account of the fossils found during the time when the pit was being worked. His penetrating observa- tions on the ‘life positions’ of bivalves and the attitudes of belemnites indicate his awareness of paleoecology, but unfortunately he recorded no stratigraphical details. A more recent Geologists’ Association Excursion Guide (Ager 1955, 364) recorded the litho- logical succession and the stratigraphical position of some of the fossils to be found there. This pit is cut at two levels; the upper level is beginning to slip and is becoming overgrown, while the lower face, though accessible in the lower part, is nearly vertical from the Capricornus Sandstone up to the floor of the upper level. Approximately 207ft. of clays capped by the Marlstone Rock Bed are exposed in a steep and, in places, rather inaccessible quarry face. A third pit, about a mile to the south of Stonehouse Station, Samuel Jeffries’ Pit (map ref. $.0.816050), is badly slumped and STRATIGRAPHY 509 allows no true account of the succession to be recorded in situ. However, from an examination of the beds exposed in the face, it is evident that the description of the Stonehouse Pit is applicable to Jeffries’ Pit. The purpose of this work is to place on record descriptions of the first two pits before they fall into disuse and become slumped. ‘The increasing use of the more economical bituminous Callovian shale in the Oxford Clay for brick-making will inevitably lead to the closure of more and more Liassic clay pits. The clay pit of the Stonehouse Brick and Tile Co. is cut into a mass of Liassic clays slipped down from the Cotswold scarp face. The plane of the slide probably passes through the shallow valley between the top of the clay pit and the Inferior Oolite quarry at the top of Doverow Hill. It may possibly be objected that the slight unconformity between the Margaritatus and Spinatum Zones is due to either sliding or cambering movements of the Marlstone Rock Bed. The field evidence is not consistent with these hypotheses. The dip-angles of the beds at Stonehouse have been recorded (Ackermann and Cave 1967, 569) as 50° to the northeast and are more or less constant. If the slide plane passed through any part of the quarry face there would be no constancy of dip angles—dips above the slide plane would be steeper. Conversely, if cambering of the Marlstone Rock Bed had taken place then the dip-angle would be reversed—this is not the case at Stonehouse. The term Dyrham Silts (Ackermann and Cave 1967, 568) is applicable to all the beds from bed 1 at Tuffley to the Marlstone Rock Bed, the only exception being bed 3b at Tuffley which has a high clay content, little silt and the only microfauna seen at the two pits. A collection of benthic fossils from the two pits will form the basis of a subsequent palaeontological paper. Description Clay pit of the Stonehouse Brick and Tile Co. and Jeffries Pit. (S.0.81650). Lithological succession. Numbers in bold type indicate hard band. Bed. No. Lithology Ft. Ins. 14b =Marlstone Rock Bed. Soft to hard, buff, micaceous, massive, fine-grained sandstone: diagonally jointed in situ, but weathering into large rounded doggers in fallen blocks. 8 6 a Irregular patches of shells in hard ferruginous, sandy nodules mostly in hollows in the eroded and highly irregular surface of the shale bed below - ae nN! ee o-6 60 Cc. P. PALMER EROSION SURFACE AND ABRUPT CHANGE IN LITHOLOGY Bed. No. Lithology ree Ins: Pale grey, shaly clay os 3 ¥s is! ORR A: 12b _ Ferruginous, sandy limestone. ca whe re I a __ Derived pebbles in basal part of above... 3 Td Buff to pale grey micaceous clays with many small fossils, Amaltheus margaritatus, A. subnodosus and A. striatus : 2 10b = Hard, ferruginous, orange-brown, oolitic limestone, with tufa-coated solution cavities along joint planes .. 2-4 a Soft, sandy, ferruginous layer with belemnites and many other fossils. Occasional derived pebbles and scattered ooliths se ae es ca aye ae 4 9 Grey, silty shale Bis I2 8b Hard, mauve-grey, ferruginous, fine- grained, sandy lime- stone with much scattered pyrite; large fauna of molluscs, Amaltheus stokest, Lytoceras Sp. I 4 a Many flattened, derived, iron- -coated pebbles i in basal part of above : us oe ae Be Big x 4 7 Grey, silty clay 12 6 Hard, micaceous, blue-centred limestone in centre of pit but passing laterally into hardish, blocky marls, Amaltheus stokesi oe ig iN 5d zt a I 6 5 Thick bed (48ft. ) of grey or buff-coloured, silty clays with several lines of ferruginous nodules: divided as follows:— Grey silty clays with scattered flattish ferruginous nodules 4 Buff-grey, silty clays, Amaltheus stokest sa st | we A: Line of ferruginous flattish nodules ie 4. Dark grey clays, rather more silty below than above re 30 Light brown, sandy clays with round ferruginous nodules in roughly three layers. Highly fossiliferous ae 4 4 Capricornus Sandstone. Hard sandy limestone: fine- grained and ferruginous above, passing downwards into coarse, micaceous, shaly limestone below, Androgynoceras lateaecosta, A, artegyrus, Liparoceras divaricosta .. ny at is 4 4 3c Pale, grey silty clays .. 15 b Grey and brown silty clays with lines of crushed pectinids, Androg ynoceras cf. maculatum .. i. rr ” a I a Grey silty clays : 2 Z Dark grey clays with small, fossiliferous limestone nodules 4 I Grey silty clays re seen to 15-20 Clay pit at Tuffley, Robin’s Wood Hill. (S.0.836149). (Modified after Ager 1954: 364). Lithological succession. Numbers in bold type indicate hard band. Yoo nea 16c Spinatum layer. Fossiliferous, flaggy sandstone with ferruginous oolitic grains, with Pleuroceras spinatum and Amaltheus aff. subnodosus .. 4 b Massive sandstone weathering into large rounded doggers in places ate 14 a Hard ferruginous sandy nodules with occasional specimens of Gibbirhynchia micra .. ae e a: ce re o-6 EROSION SURFACE AND ABRUPT CHANGE IN LITHOLOGY 15 Grey silty shales ie 17 14 Ferruginous, oolitic limestone, nodular in lower part: Amaltheus spp. a a ae AN; sae ne I 6 ie Grey silty shales ty sy les Wi eis peseen.o| STRATIGRAPHY 61 Bed. No. Lithology Ft. Ins. 12 Ferruginous limestone, nodular at base, with Amaltheus stokest and Lytoceras sp. and raise fauna of bivalves and belemnites.. I 10 II Grey silty shales; floor of upper working about 2ft. above the base cre : 12 10 Ferruginous micaceous limestone, the lower part. weathering white I 9 Grey silty shales with bands of ferruginous nodules; 53ft. 6in. distributed as follows:— g Grey shales with scattered ferruginous nodules 6 f Grey silty shales Se “6 9 e Ferruginous nodules .. ; ae os “fe af 3 d_ Grey silty shales oie a ee Be a oe 9 c Ferruginous nodules : = a ae - 3 b Grey silty shales es ~- 25 a Scattered ferruginous nodules, Androg ynocer ras 5 capricornus os 4 8 Band of highly fossiliferous ironstone nodules, forming box- like structures containing yellow sand: Androgynoceras 4 7 Sandy grey shales Aa a 2 6 Prominent band of hard sandy shales 2 4 4to 6 5 Grey silty shales We Pe ae fa, + GO Prominent band of ferruginous nodules 6 3 Grey silty shales with 4—6ft. of stiff blue clay at the base. Ironstone nodules, especially in the lower part. Total 4oft. 6in. divided as follows:— c Grey silty shales with some ironstone nodules, especially in the lower part se ot me - ns .. 45 b Ironstone nodules in dark blue, sticky clay with Androg ynoceras maculatum and a rich fauna of foraminifera and ostracoda kes 6 a Dark grey clays passing downwards into grey silty shales 4 v4 Grey indurated sandy shales with crushed bivalves and Beaniceras cf. luridum. ee 5% I I Grey shales with nodules, recorded aod Ager (1954) but not now well exposed. : - aad 10 Ager assigned two bed numbers (11 and 12) to the shales in which the floor of the upper quarry is cut. As they are lithologically continuous they have been united and the beds above renumbered. Stratigraphy IBEX Zone, Luridum subzone. The lowest ammonite collected from the two pits is Beaniceras from bed 2 at Tuffley, which, owing to its crushed condition, 1s tentatively referred to B. luridum. The top of the subzone is fixed by the occurrences of Androgynoceras maculatum in Bed 3b a few feet above. Hence beds 2 and ga are assigned to the subzone. Equivalent beds at Stonehouse are not exposed at the time of writing. DAVOEI Zone, Maculatum subzone. A. maculatum in 3b at Tuffley fixes the base of the subzone, 62 Cc. P. PALMER although no other specimens were collected from higher horizons at that locality. At Stonehouse a poorly preserved Androgynoceras of the A. maculatum type was collected from bed 3b. Hence beds 1-3 at Stonehouse and beds 3b—5 at Tuffley are assigned to this subzone. In Dorset this division attains a mere oft.with A. maculatum ranging throughout and abundant in the lower part. In Gloucestershire it is about 7oft., and in the Stowell Park borehole A. maculatum has been recorded between 927ft. and 985ft. DAVOEI Zone, Capricornus subzone. Bed 4 at Stonehouse and beds 6, 7 and 8 at Tuffley yield the bulk of the better preserved ammonites of the genus Androgynoceras and the dominance of A. lataecosta and A. artigyrus indicates that these beds belong to this subzone. However, the overlying sandy clays with ferruginous nodules, 5a at Stonehouse and ga at Tuffley, yield fragments of A. capricornus that are already showing projected ribs on the venter, thus marking the highest part of the Capricornus subzone (Spath 1938, 152). In the Dorset coast this division is 5oft. thick, while at Stonehouse and Tuffley it is about 8ft. But at Stowell Park it is 29ft., and this expansion is reflected in the reduc- tion of the “Capricornus sandstone,’ which is there only an indurated shelly layer of ift. 5in. (Green 1956, 41). The nodules above at 890/3 are taken as equivalent to 5a at Stonehouse and 9a at Tuffley (and possibly the Red Band in the Dorset Coast?). DAVOEI Zone, Figulinum subzone. At Stonehouse no ammonites have been seen in the thick bed of clays 5b and the overlying nodule band 5c, but at the southern end of the pit, in an abandoned part of the working face, a sandy seam in 5d, roughly 2ft. above 5c, yielded a fragment of Amaltheus stokest. The base of the Margaritatus zone is consequently placed at the base of 5d, and the 3oft. of sandy clays, 5b and 5c, are included in the Figulinum subzone. At Tuffley beds gb and c are included in this subzone. Although Ojistoceras has not been recorded from the Cheltenham/Stroud area this arrangement is supported by the Stowell Park Borehole both in the similar thickness, (30ft. Stone- house, 44ft. Stowell Park, and 4oft. Dorset Coast) and by the similar positions compared with the Stowell Park borehole where the nodules at 844-848ft. are taken as equivalent to 5c at Stonehouse and gc at Tuffley. MARGARITATUS Zone, Stokesi subzone. Well preserved A. Stokesi are found in beds 6 and 8 at Stonehouse and smaller crushed examples occur in clays 5d—e and bed 7. Hence STRATIGRAPHY 63 beds from 5d up to the top of g at Stonehouse are included in this subzone, and, by analogy, beds od up to the top of 13 at Tuffley. These beds are taken as equivalent to the clays between 746/8 down to 844ft. at Stowell Park, and the nodules in 5e at Stonehouse and gg at Tuffley are clearly equivalent to the nodules between 791/5 and 811/1 ft. at Stowell Park. If this arrangement is correct then the whole of bed 5 at Stonehouse and bed 9 at Tuffley is equivalent to the sandy clays between 791/8 and 894/oft. at Stowell Park. Hence the sandstone at 7g1ft. at the latter locality is equal to bed 6 at Stonehouse and bed 10 at Tuffley. The clays between 746/8 and 790/6ft. at Stowell Park are included in this subzone, although it is not certain that the septarian nodule found at 762ft. is the lateral equivalent of bed 8 at Stonehouse and bed 12 at ‘Tuffley. MARGARITATUS Zone, Subnodosus subzone. Numerous crushed nodate Amaltheids are to be found in the pale grey clays of bed 11 at Stonehouse. These are referable to A. subnodosus and A. striatus. Small inner whorls of A. margaritatus are to be found in the basal part of bed 10 at Stonehouse, and a specimen of A. margaritatus found by Ager in the equivalent bed at Jeffries Pit indicates that the base of this subzone should be drawn below bed 10 at Stonehouse and bed 14 at Tuffley; it extends up to the base of the Marlstone Rock Bed at both localities. At Stowell Park there can be little doubt that the oolitic limestone between 737/10 and 744/oft. is equivalent to beds 10 at Stonehouse and 14 at Tuffley. At Stowell Park the 2ft. current-bedded sandstone lying below the oolitic limestone is included in this subzone. MARGARITATUS Zone, Gibbosus subzone. No evidence for this subzone has been discovered at either pit. SPINATUM Zone Following Ager (1954) the base of this division is taken at the first appearance of the small Rhynchonellid Gzbbirhynchia micra in the shelly nodules 14a at Stonehouse and 16a at Tuffley. This brachipod occurs in the lower part of the Marlstone Rock -Bed throughout the Midlands (Ager 1954, 27) and is, at Stonehouse, present at the base and ranges upwards about 8ft., thus covering most of the exposed Marlstone Rock Bed at that locality. The fossiliferous layer at Tuffley yielded a specimen of Pleuroceras spinatum, but as the zone index also occurs in the upper part of the Apyrenum subzone (Howarth 1958, 39) this cannot be accepted as conclusive evidence for the presence of the Hawskerense subzone. 64 Cc. P. PALMER Correlation Direct lithological correlation between Stonehouse and Tuffley is straight-forward because of the remarkable constancy of the beds, even though the two pits are separated by nearly seven miles. Bed 4 at Stonehouse corresponds with 6, 7 and 8 at Tuffley where the upper part of the Capricornus Sandstone is there strongly indurated with iron, forming the distinctive ironstone bed 8. The micaceous shales below bed 8 are indurated in the lower part forming bed 6, while the softer upper part forms bed 7. Thus three beds are separable at Tuffley while only one is clearly recognisable at Stonehouse. Bed 5 at Stonehouse is obviously equivalent to 9 at Tuffley, but no nodule bed equivalent to 9c at Tuffley can be detected at an equivalent distance above 5c at Stonehouse. The ferruginous nodules at the base, 5a at Stonehouse and ga at Tuffley, contain two forms of Pleuromya in the life position at both localities. These were probably the bivalves ‘erect as in life’ referred to by Watts (1928, 139). ‘Beds 6, 8 and 10 at Stonehouse correspond respectively to beds 10, 12 and 14 at Tuffley. Beds 8 at Stonehouse and 12 at Tuffley are identical even to the slightly mauve colour seen on a freshly fractured surface, and the presence of pyrite. Beds 10 at Stonehouse and 14 at Tuffley are equivalent by virtue of their oolitic structure and tufa-coated solution cavities eroded along joint planes. There is no trace of a limestone in the clays above bed 14 at Tuffley to correspond with the highest limestone, bed 12, at Stone- house. Its absence at ‘Tuffley may indicate that the erosion surface, upon which the Marlstone Rock Bed rests, is stratigraphically lower at Tuffley than at Stonehouse. That is, the Rock Bed rests on an eroded surface of the shales of bed 13 at Stonehouse, whereas at Tuffley it rests on the eroded surface of shales equivalent to bed 11 at Stonehouse. The alternative interpretation, that either bed 10 or 12 at Stone- house is intercalated, would have equal weight if there were no abrupt change of lithology above the Margaritatus clays at both localities. But the following evidences argue against it:— (1) The fauna, oolitic structure and tufa-coated solution cavities present in 10 at Stonehouse and 14 at Tuffley indicate strongly that the two beds are equivalent, therefore bed 10 at Stonehouse is not intercalated. Considering the lateral constancy of the beds described above, it would be surprising if there were a “‘sudden”’ intercalation of a thick limestone (bed 12) at Stonehouse in shales (beds 11 and 13) amounting to 36ft. which would have to be considered equi- valent to bed 15 at Tuffley, but there extending to only 17ft. There- fore it is improbable that bed 12 at Stonehouse is intercalated. STRATIGRAPHY 65 (2) The apparent absence of the Gibbosus subzone from both localities can be explained by the erosion surface at the base of the Spinatum Rock Bed. Deposits of this subzone were probably removed by erosion during late Margaritatus times, resulting in an erosion surface that is 37ft. above the oolitic limestone at Stonehouse, 17ft. above the equivalent bed at Tuffley and only 8ft. 7in. above an equivalent oolitic limestone at 737ft. in the Stowell Park borehole. The absence of any ammonite evidence for the Gibbosus subzone and the lithostratigraphical evidence in favour of a slight angular unconformity between the Margaritatus Shales and the Rock Bed is further strengthened by two more examples:— (1) At Roxby Mine, north of Scunthorpe, Lincs. (map ref. SE.705177) the sandy nodules at the base of the Spinatum Rock Bed of the Midlands are represented by about 141n. of shelly sands and indurated shales with Gzbbyrhynchia. Above is the Rock Bed, while below are clays with Androgynoceras sp. but no Oistoceras. ‘Thus a non-sequence at Roxby cuts out the whole of the Margaritatus Zone and the Figulinum subzone. (2) Ager (1954, 27), on the known distribution of the rhynchonellid brachipods Gibbirhynchia muir-woodae and G. amalthei, deduced:—“‘that only the lower part of the Middle Lias is present in Kent. ‘Thus in the Elham boring described by Lamplugh, Kitchin & Pringle (1923) the ‘hard grey limestone’ at the top of the Middle Lias was found to contain G. muir-woodae whilst the overlying greenish grey sandy limestone contained a Gibbirhynchia close to G. amalthet. A similar distribution occurred in all the other cores examined, suggesting a wide-spread break at this level, due _ presumably to post-Domerian erosion in the vicinity of the London- Ardennes ridge.”’ Evidently the non-sequence at Gloucestershire is widespread and extends northwards as far as the Market Weighton “axis”? and eastwards to the Kent area. An alternative hypothesis is here offered to Ager’s ‘“‘post-Domerian erosion in the vicinity of the London—Ardennes ridge.”’ That erosion began in late Margaritatus times in Gloucester, the Midlands, North Lincolnshire and Kent. Erosion cut deeper, down to the Davoei Zone, in North Lincolnshire, but only down to the Margaritatus Zone in Gloucestershire, the Midlands and Kent. _ Erosion ceased before deposition of the Rock Bed, except in Kent, where it continued during Spinatum times. The Marlstone Rock Bed of Gloucestershire is a local sandy development of the typical Marlstone which, in the Midlands, is normally displayed in the lower part as a sandy limestone, and in _the upper part as a ferruginous oolitic limestone. E 66 Cc. P. PALMER At Tuffley and Stonehouse the lower beds are sandy with crinoid _ ossicles, but no ooliths, while the flaggy upper layer contains | Pleuroceras spinatum, Lobothyris punctata and ferruginous ooliths. Hallam (1955, 21) showed that in Leicestershire the upper | aft. gin. of the ironstone contains Dactylioceras and quite logically | concluded that the base of the Toarcian should be drawn in the Rock Bed, and that deposition of iron continued, in that region, into Toarcian times. At Tuffley the well displayed ‘‘Marlstone platform” immediately | above bed 16c makes it unlikely that higher parts of the Rock Bed are present, so that all of the Rock Bed is there of Spinatum age and | equivalent to the Sand Rock of the Midlands. Correlation with the Dorset Coast It is possible to suggest that two of the beds in the Margaritatus Zone at Stonehouse and Tuffley can be very tentatively correlated with similar beds in the Dorset Coast. (1) At Stonehouse bed 10 marks the first appearance of Amaltheus A margaritatus, while S. subnodosus and A. striatus occur in the clays | above. In’ Ridge Cliff, between Seatown and Eype, Dorset, the | Margaritatus Stone (bed 24 in Howarth 1957) marks the first — appearance of A. margaritatus, while A. subnodosus occurs in the | clays above. Both bed 10 at Stonehouse and the Margaritatus Stone | at Seatown contain small and rare Trochid gastropods which, though not stratigraphically important, indicate the ecological — probability of a gastropod-tolerating environment extending | simultaneously over a wide area. (2) Again, at Stonehouse, the form of A. stokes: found in the — micaceous sandy limestone of bed 6 is of the same type that is found | in the Eype Nodule Bed in the Stokesi subzone of the Dorset Coast. But in bed 8 at Stonehouse specimens of A. stokest are more closely and finely ribbed than those found below in bed 6, and they | correspond very closely to specimens collected by the author from — Day’s Shell Bed (Palmer 1966), which occupies the same relative | position to the Eype Nodule Bed in Dorset as bed 8 at Stonehouse | does to bed 6 below. To support this tentative correlation it may be noted that: (a) In Day’s Shell Bed in Dorset, Cardinia, Sphaeriola and Myaconcha | make a sudden appearance and range upwards into the Spinatum | Zone. (b) In bed 8, Stonehouse, Cardinia, Sphaeriola and Myaconcha all | make a sudden appearance and range upwards. These bivalves have no stratigraphical value, but it seems likely that ecological con- | ditions were, on ammonite evidence, widespread, and extended | | STRATIGRAPHY 67 isochronously from Dorset to Gloucestershire with perhaps an eeeeical break across the Mendip axis. Conclusions (1) During Davoei and Margaritatus times sedimentation was subject to little lateral variation in the Gloucestershire area, so that bed by bed correlation is possible between Stonehouse and Tuffley on lithostratigraphical evidence alone, without reference to am- monites. To a more limited extent this 1s also true of the Stowell Park borehole. (2) No evidence can be found for the presence of either the Figulinum or the Gibbosus subzone in Gloucestershire. Comparison with the Stowell Park borehole suggests that deposits of the former were present, while the postulated Margaritatus/Spinatum un- conformity argues that deposits of the latter are missing. (3) A non-sequence in Gloucestershire between the Margaritatus and Spinatum Zones points to an unconformity between the Margaritatus Clays and the Spinatum Rock Bed. The resulting erosion plane appears to be widely distributed in the Midlands Province (between the Mendips and the Humber) and eastwards into Kent. But in the Yorkshire basin and the Dorset coast the sequence in the Margaritatus Zone is apparently complete. Acknowledgments: my thanks are due to Dr. D. V. Ager for his co-operation and also to Dr. M. K. Howarth who read the manu- script and made valuable suggestions. REFERENCES Ager, D. V. 1954. The genus Gibbirhynchia in the British Domerian. Proc. Geol. Assoc. Lond., 65, 25-51, pl. 1 — 1955. Field ears in the Oona Cotswolds. Proc. Geol. Assoc. Lond., 66, 356-365. Arkell, W. J. 1933. The Jurassic System in Great Britain. Oxford. Green, G. W. & Melville, R. V. 1956. The Stratigraphy of the Stowell Park Borehole. (1949-1951). Bull. Geol. Surv. Great Britain, 11, 1-66, pl. 1. Hallam, A. 1955. The Palaeontology and Stratigraphy of the Marlston Rockbed in Leicestershire. Trans. Leics. Lit. @ Phil. Soc., 49, 17-35. Howarth, M. K. 1957. The Middle Lias of the Dorset Coast. Quart. 7. Geol. Soc. Lond., 118, 185-204, pl. 17. Palmer, C. P. 1966. The fauna of Day’s Shell Bed in the Middle Lias of the Dorset Coast. Proc. Dorset Nat. Hist. Arch. Soc., 87, 69-80, pl. 1-3. 68 Cc. P. PALMER Richardson, L. 1910. Brickmaking in Gloucestershire. Proc. Chelt. Nat. Sci. Soc., N.S., 1, 223-287. Watts, A. 1928. Excursion to Robin’s Wood Hill. Proc. Cotteswold Nat. Fid. Cl., 23, 137-9, pl. 18. Ackermann, K. J. and Cave, R. 1967. Superficial Deposits and Structures, including Landslip in the Stroud District, Glouces- tershire. Proc. Geol. Soc., Lond. 78, 567-586. STONEHOUSE TUFFLEY STOWELL DORSET COAST = =. PARK I” =100 ft. 1” =40 ft. 1” =50 ft. S/ZQNE__ZO_ DEPTH ft ins. -729/3-°>- limestone ‘ 737 N10 \ 7) > 74 6/8 : bas a ale 5 Zz Colitic = 762/5 limestone ” \ sond or sandstone [| = = es @ ferruginous f - 4 oe ¢ ebgi) nodules indurated shelly loyer firm Correlation suggested correlation e Ms. Marlstone M8. Margaritarus Bed S.B. Starfish Bed , E.N.B.Eype Nodule Bed eS 3T. 3 Tiers R.B,. Red Bed B.S. Belemnite Stone’ LURIDUM|MACUL -|CAPRICORNJFIGULINUM a 69 REPORT ON A TURBO-DRILL BOREHOLE AT SEVERNSIDE By T. R. Fry URING 1966 drilling was commenced at Severnside by Bristol Siddeley-Whittle Tools Ltd., for the purpose of testing their new turbo-drill. Nat. Grid Ref.: (ST 54878400). One deep borehole and several lesser ones were made on the same site. , Samples of the rocks penetrated were sent to the Department of Geology at the University of Bristol for examination as the work progressed; these consisted mainly of debris recovered from the washings at intervals of every ten feet but a few solid cores were also obtained. A detailed record of a general geological character was also prepared, mainly from the deepest borehole and is lodged with the Editor of these Proceedings. The lines of bedding shown by the cores indicated the dips as follows: Depth Dip rO7Orr.’. re a ov ee: 2 BLO” 2430° .. se af ae pag Oe D7 2Or es 4 ae a nit 9031... ue a Sts b -20 No information was forthcoming from above 16701. It was not possible to obtain any information as to direction of the dips. GENERAL SUMMARY OF INFORMATION (The age of the formations and their thicknesses must be regarded as suggestive and approximate only). Depth in Thickness Feet Formation in Feet From To Recent and Pleistocene O 80 Alluvial deposits of mud, peat, sand and gravel ue 80 Triassic 80 170 Keuper Marl oe - go Coal Measures 170 760 Pennant Sandstone a: ar We ae .. 590 ? Breccia 760 790 ~=©The true character and age could not be made out from the washed aggregate, but a core taken later indicated a fault breccia at 740’. Carboniferous Limestone Series 790 860 Clifton Down Mudstone .. oe oe ae tare 70 860 1020 Black Rock Limestone... She cae a ae 160 1020 1400 Lower Limestone Shale .. - = Us =, , °300 1400 1510 Shirehampton Beds (including Bryozoa Bed) .. ‘e (LTO Old Red Sandstone Series 1510 1860 Upper Old Red Sandstone (Portishead Beds) . . sles 4350 1860 2620 Lower Old Red Sandstone (Brownstone Group) .. 760 2620 3260 ?Lower Old Red Sandstone (Division indeterminate) .. 640 3260 3340 ?Lower Old Red Sandstone (St. Maugham Group) .. 80 70 THE SPIDER FAUNA OF STEEP HOLM By B. J. CHASE HE spider fauna of Steep Holm was investigated during short periods in August 1968 and 1969. The only previous records are from 1938, when J. E. Hamilton made a collection of land invertebrates, excluding insects. He passed the collection to A. R. Jackson for identification. Steep Holm appears to be an unusual and changing island habitat; little has remained stable and untouched for any great length of time. The factors that have contributed to this change are (i) its occupation at various times by the army and their associated buildings and fortifications, all of which are now in ruins apart from the barracks and the ammunition bunkers. (ii) periodic farming and cultivation of the central plateau, and (iii) the disturbance caused by the gull and rabbit populations. The breeding colony of gulls have contributed to the disturbance of the ground level flora and the rabbits have now eradicated all the large areas of grass leaving only small patches of about 1 sq. ft. in size and these are very closely cropped. The dominant plant species are nettles, privet, elder, sycamore, Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum) and Parietaria. On three sides of the island there are areas of loose rock scree leading up to the cliff edges. These environmental factors have influenced the range of spiders to be found on Steep Holm. The island’s size is in itself a limiting factor for maximum possible densities of species. Stable areas of leaf litter, grass and other vegetation would, if present, support a much greater range of species than at present. The possibility of a fluctuating representation must be borne in mind, since aerial dispersion is a common means by which the young of many species are distributed and the island is within reasonable distance from the mainlands of England and Wales for arrival by this method. Examination of the species list (inevitably incomplete) suggests that several common species have failed to colonize the island. An example of this is the recording of Linyphia triangularis in 1969, a spider of the Linyphiid family having a characteristic and easily recognized web which is usually found to be common in approximately the same situations as Meta segmentata. M. segmentata is abundant on Steep Holm but to date only one isolated female of L. triangularis has been recorded. 4 SPIDER FAUNA OF STEEP HOLM 71 The spiders The two most unusual specimens found were Oxyptila blackwalli and Segestria bavarica. O. blackwalli, which was found under a stone on the cliff path on the south side of the island, is a county record for Somerset and is uncommon only being found in coastal areas in southern counties. Segestria bavarica was found to be common on the south side of the island: it was thought to be very rare on the main- land, however it has been recently found in several places on the coasts of Cornwall, Dorset, the Isles of Scilly and Lundy Island and is abundant on the peninsulas of Sand Point and Brean Down in Somerset. These locations and the ones above indicate that S. bavarica has specific habitat requirements. These are cracks and crevices in south-facing rocks and cliffs above the wave-splash zone. The web of S. bavarica is characteristic since it builds a tubular retreat leading for a distance of 100-150 mm (4-6 inches) into a crack in the rock. The open end of the web is level with the rock face and has up to a dozen or so radiating strands which serve as trip-wires for the spider’s prey. S. bavarica may well have been over- looked in the past due to its superficial resemblance to Segestria senoculata, the immatures and webs of both species are similar. However, S. bavarica can be identified in the field by examining the rounded dark lobes on the dorsal surface of the abdomen. In S. bavarica these have pale areas within the lobes and on the ventral surface of the abdomen there is a broad black central band. Both these features are lacking in S.. senoculata. The majority of specimens were found on the south side of the island where there are sheltered and sunny stretches of rock scree and privet. The areas between Split Rock and ‘Tower Rock proved to be especially productive. The area above Calf Rock contains a large colony of Atypus affinis. ‘This spider, the only British member of the Mygalomorphidae, lives almost all its life within a silk tube of approx. 150 mm in length. ‘The greater part of the tube is buried in the earth, a section of about 30 mm protrudes above the ground and merges with the under- growth, looking rather like a piece of dead twig. A. affinis has large and powerful chelicerae and fangs that enable it to excavate a burrow in which it spins its tube. It has adapted to the lack of any great amount of undergrowth and natural cover by spinning the aerial portion of its tube along the edges of rocks and poking out into crevices. Three of the tubes excavated contained recently hatched young that had not yet undergone their first moult. The average size of the adults was approx. 20 mm. Several miniature tubes of young spiders were noted. Sample digging in selected areas give an estimated population of approximately 5,000 specimens. The rock screes between Split Rock and Calf Rock provides an 72 B. J. CHASE ideal habitat for the Salticidae species. In this area Salticus scenicus and Heliophanus cupreus are abundant. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank the following for their help in connection with the above work: P. J. Chadwick of the Steep Holm Trust’s Gull Research Station, D. W. Mackie, J. Crocker and G. H. Locket for help in identification of some specimens, Dr. W. S. Bristowe for unpublished information on S. bavarica, the Steep Holm Trust, and the Bristol Naturalists’ Society. REFERENCES Bristowe, W. S. 1939 The Comity of Spiders. Ray Society, London, 1, 1-228. Bristowe, W. S. 1958. The world of spiders, g9—102. Collins, London. Chase, B. J. 1969. Spiders of Steep Holm, Somerset. Bull. Brit. Arach. Soc. 1 (3), 33-4. Hamilton, J. E. 1938. Land invertebrates (of Steep Holm), exclud- ing insects. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., 4th ser. 8 (4), 468-470. Locket, G. H. and Millidge, A. F. 1951. British Spiders. Ray Society, London, 1, 86-88. Nicholson, E. M. 1957. Britain’s Nature Reserves, 43-47. Country Life, London. 73 THE VEGETATION. OF STEEP HOLM, BRISTOL GHANNEL By P. BRIDGEWATER I. Introduction TEEP Holm has long fascinated naturalists of all persuasions, but notably botanists and ornithologists. The first recorded visit by a botanist was that of W. Turner in 1562 (Turner, 1568), while the first complete account of the vegetation was attempted by McLean and Hyde (1924), followed in 1939 by the excellent account by Skene. Both of these accounts, made in the period following the cessation of agriculture, include many species typical of limestone grassland, which have now disappeared. Moss (1907) included the island as ‘natural pasture’ on his vegetation map of the area, although this is now obviously not the case. After Skene’s work, there was little published until the species list of Graham (1964), and Gillham’s (1963) comparative account of the effects of sea birds on several sites in the Bristol channel. Poulding (1965) included a more formal classification of the island’s vegetation, with specific reference to bird habitats. More recent publications have been those by Bridgewater (1967, 1968), which discuss a provisional classification, with reference to historical factors in the development of the vegetation. The purpose of this paper is to present a classification of the island’s vegetation, based on the results of surveys in 1966 and 1969, using the methods of the Zirich-Montpellier system of phyto- sociology (Braun—Blanquet, 1964). II. Phytogeographical position of the Island’s flora In this section, the species lists of Graham (1964, 1966), with one or two additional species added by the author during the visits of 1966 and 1969, have been analysed into the geographical elements proposed by Matthews (1937). The results are set out below: Introductions a a ae [5 Oceanic South element .. Saad JUO Oceanic West element = oie 8 Oceanic North element... ve 85 74 P. BRIDGEWATER Continental element sf ost gue Continental South element as Continental North element 27) a 9 European, Eurasian and Cosmopolitan elements... ae III Total number of species... ms 158 *Of this component, 3 species are typically Continental Southern, and 1 Mediterranean in distribution. There is, therefore, a pronounced Southern /Oceanic distribution group in the island’s flora. III. Vegetation (a) Physical characteristics of the Island Elliptical in outline, the island is approximately 950 yards long, and 350 yards wide at its widest point. Geologically, the island consists of a single series (Avonian) of Carboniferous limestone. This is exposed as the steep sea cliffs, which rise to the rather more level plateau. Human activity can be recognised by the numerous relics of Army occupation, from the ‘War scare’ of the 1860’s to the second World War. (b) Community descriptions Fight plant communities have been recognised, five of which are well defined, with three rather ‘fragmentary’ units. Table I gives the floristic composition of these communities, derived from a series of sample ‘lists’ made during the visits of 1966 and 1969. The number of ‘lists’ comprising each community is shown. (1) Lavatera arborea community Identifying species: L. arborea, Crithmum maritimum, Umbilicus rupestris, Parietaria judaica. This community represents the typical sea cliff vegetation. Plant cover is usually rather sparse, because of the cliff’s inhospitable habitat. The community is best developed on the south side of the island, where several species with southern affinities flourish. ‘Two variants of the community were noted: (i) differentiated by Jnula crithmoides and Limonium binervosum and (11) by Sedum acre and Festuca ovina. a a a RR RA VEGETATION OF STEEP HOLM 75 TABLE I: Floristic composition of the vegetation, showing species constancy for each community. Community number: Number of lists: Smyrnium olusatrum Urtica dioica Lavatera arborea Crithmum maritimum Umbilicus rupestris Parietaria judaica Urtica urens . Carduus tenuiflorus Poa annua Senecio vulgaris Conium maculatum Glechoma hederacea Cirstum vulgare Mercurialis annua Rubus fruticosus* Ligustrum vulgare Acer pseudoplatanus .. Mercurtalis perennis .. Phyllitis scolopendrium Rhynchostegiella tenella Scorpiurium circinatum Sedum acre Festuca ovina Inula crithmoides Limonium binervosum Dactylts glomerata Polypodium interjectum Helictotrichon pratense Hyoscyamus niger Anchusa arvensis Erodium maritimum Arctium minus Euphorbia lathyrus Reseda luteola Coronopus didymus Tris foetidissima Paeonia mascula Raphanus maritimus . . Sonchus oleraceus Senecio jacobaea Sambucus nigra Hereda helix ; Allium ampeloprasum Teucrium scorodonia . . | | Arum maculatum... II : * mostly R. ulmifolius Schott. Additional species (noted once only in each of the communities) Lavatera arborea community:—Cochlearia officinalis, Plantago coronopus, Bromus mollis. Dactylis glomerata community:—Lotus corniculatus, Agrostis stolonifera, Campto- thecium lutescens, C. sericeum, Porella platyphylla, Chelidonium majus, Cheiranthus cheiri, Asplenium trichomanes, Grimmia pulvinata, Geranium robertianum. Smyrnium olusatrum community:—Anagallis arvensis, Scrophularia nodosa. Acer pseudoplatanus community :—Rosa canina, Primula vulgaris, Myosolis ramosissima, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum. 76 P. BRIDGEWATER The Roman numerals used in the body of the table represent the °%% presence of the species in the community, as detailed below:— I = species present in 1— 20% of the sample lists 1 ees 2 poh Leas 40% 26;. 39 ” ” IT = ” 2 9 41. — 60% sgn 39 ” ” IV = ” ” ” Oi 80% 39 \) 339 9 ” V= 9 99 ” OM ice 100% Oey) 29 29 In the case of fragmentary units (i.e. communities 2, 7 and 8), identifying species are indicated by the + symbol. Variant (i) 1s commonest on the most exposed cliffs, usually regularly subject to salt spray from the sea, whereas variant (11) is usually confined to the higher cliffs, not so subject to salt spray. (2) Dactylis glomerata community Only three species lists were made in this vegetation, which represents limestone crags, not directly part of sea cliffs. The major identifying species are: D. glomerata, Polypodium interjectum, Festuca ovina, Sedum acre, Helictotrichon pratense. (3) Urtica urens community Identifying species: U. urens, Partetaria judaica, Carduus tenuiflorus, Poa annua, Senecio vulgaris, U. dioica, Smyrnium olusatrum. This community, with the one following, are the most important on the plateau and sloping cliff tops on the south side, and, con- sequently, form the vegetation most influenced by the gull popula- tion. Two rather distinct variants were noted: (i) differentiated by Ayoscyamus niger, Anchusa arvensis, Erodium maritimum, and, to a lesser extent, by Glechoma hederacea and Senecio jacobaea. ‘This corresponds to the “‘seasonally bare areas’’ described by Gillham (1963), i.e. the soil is more or less completely exposed before germination of nettle in spring. Variant (11), differentiated by Senecio vulgaris, Conium maculatum, and, occasionally, Glechoma hederacea, forms a ‘closed cover’ vegeta- tion at the western extremity of the island (near Rudder Rock). (4) Smyrnium olusatrum community Identifying species: S. olusatrum, Cirsium vulgare, Mercurialis annua, Glechoma hederacea, Urtica dioica, Senecio vulgaris, Conium maculatum. Many authors have pointed to this community as Steep Holm’s most unusual form of vegetation. Skene (1939) notes that “‘the most interesting feature of the vegetation is... the ‘meadow’ of Smyrnium olusatrum onthe plateau... Atpresentitforms, witha few other plants, a society which is certainly unique in this country.’’ Despite VEGETATION OF STEEP HOLM ied this, Gillham (1963) records a similar vegetation on Puffin Island off Anglesey. Three variants of the vegetation were noted: (i) differentiated by Arctium minus, and typically confined to the plateau, (ii) differen- tiated by Urtica urens, Poa annua and, less frequently, Parietaria judaica, occurring where the plateau slopes to the south cliffs, and eventually forming the Urtica urens community, and (iii) differen- tiated by Euphorbia lathyrus, Reseda luteola and Coronopus didymus. ‘This third variant is rather restricted, being confined to footpaths in the area of the barracks. (5) Ligustrum vulgare community Identifying species: L. vulgare, Rubus fruticosus agg., Smyrnium olusatrum, Urtica dioica. Though this encompasses all the ‘scrub’ vegetation of the island, it is easily divisible into a rather distinct variant, differentiated by Sambucus nigra,Glechoma hederacea, Mercurialis perennis, M.annuaand Arum maculatum, representing the more nitrophilous areas (cf. Gillham, 1963), and the typical community, found chiefly on the north and east slopes. One of Steep Holm’s more unusual plant species is found in association with this community, viz. Alliwm ampeloprasum. In fact, it grows at the edge of scrub vegetation, where this abuts onto loose, open, soil, which supports a few plants of Smyrnium olusatrum and Urtica dioica. This loose soil is extremely unstable, the cliffs of Tower Rock contributing to this instability with limestone fragments in a cree’ at the cliff base. This whole area can be classified as a ‘sharp boundary’ situation, between the scrub and loose soil, with Allium ampeloprasum located in the boundary itself. Bellamy e¢ al. (1969) have indicated that such sharp boundaries support many rare species in Upper Teesdale, Co. Durham. It therefore seems likely that the existence of A. ampeloprasum is dependent on unstable conditions surrounding it—a useful point in conservational considerations. (6) Acer pseudoplatanus community Identifying species: A. pseudoplatanus, Rubus fruticosus agg., Mercurialis perennis, Conium maculatum, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Smyrnium olusatrum. Representative of ‘woodland’ at the east end of the island, this community includes most of the bryophytes and ferns found on Steep Holm. In addition, Steep Holm’s most celebrated rarity, Paeonia mascula, is found in this woodland. In 1969, only a few plants were noted. 78 P. BRIDGEWATER This plant, like Allium’ ampeloprasum, seems favoured by unstable sites. ‘The species would probably survive better in an open site, comparable to its natural habitat in the Mediterranean. (7) Coronopus didymus community Only two lists were made in this vegetation, found as a close rabbit-cropped ‘lawn’ at the west end of the island (Rudder Rock). Identifying species are: C’. didymus, Erodium maritimum, Carduus tenuiflorus (rosettes only), Poa annua, Urtica urens, seedlings of Smyrnium olusatrum. (8) Teucrium scorodonia community Again only two lists were made, and the following identifying species noted: 7. scorodonia, Parietaria judaica. This community must be regarded as the final degradation stage of the “‘close turf of fescues, yellow stonecrop, ground ivy and wood sage’’ reported by Skene (1939). Because of the rather homogeneous nature of Steep Holm’s vegetation, the individual communities have fairly sharp boundaries, and the vegetation is thus easily placed in one of the above com- munities. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank the Steep Holm Trust for permission to work on the island, and its Gull Research Station for use of their facilities whilst on the island. REFERENCES Bellamy, D. J., Bridgewater, P., Marshall, C., Tickle, W., 1969. The status of the Teesdale rarities. Nature, Lond. 222, 238-243. Braun-Blanquet, J., 1964. Pflanzensoziologie. Springer-Verlag, Vienna. Bridgewater, P., 1967. The vegetation of Steep Holm Island, Somerset. Journal Durham Univ. Biological Soc., 11. Bridgewater, P., 1968. A preliminary investigation into the plant communities of Steep Holm in August 1966. Rep. Steep Holm Gull Res. Stn. 3, 32-36. Gillham, M. E., 1963. The vegetation of local coastal Gull colonies. Trans. Cardiff Nat. Soc., 91, 23-33. Graham, V., 1964. The plants of Steep Holm. Rep. Steep Holm Gull Res. Stn, 2, 2-9. Graham, V., 1966. Plants of Steep Holm. Rep. Steep Holm Gull Res. Sin, 2, 3-5. VEGETATION OF STEEP HOLM 79 McLean, R.C. & Hyde, H.A., 1924. 167-172. The vegetation of Steep Holm. 7. Bot., 62, 167. Matthews, J. R., 1937. Geographical relationships of the British Flora. 7. Ecol., 25, 1. Moss, C. E., 1907. Geographical Distribution of the vegetation in Somerset, Bath & Bridgwater District. Geog. 7., 26. Poulding, R. H., 1965. The status of the Dunnock on Steep Holm. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., 31, 83-90. Skene, M., 1939. A survey of Steep Holm. III. Botany. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., 8, 452-459. Turner, W., 1568. The New Herball. 80 TRITYLODONTID INCERTAE SEDIS By R. J. G. SAVAGE (Dept. of Geology, University of Bristol) AVAGE & Waldman (1966) published a note on the occurrence of a tritylodontid in a Lower Jurassic fissure at Holwell quarry, near Shepton Mallet, Somerset. ‘They identified the maxilla as Oligokyphus, without a specific appellation, and made comparison with the rich Oligokyphus material described by Kiihne (1956) from a Lower Jurassic fissure in Windsor Hill quarry, about seven miles west of Holwell. Since the publication Professor W. G. Kiihne and Dr. J. A. Hopson have queried the identification (pers. comm.). During the past year fresh falls at the now disused Windsor Hill quarry have enabled me to make a collection of Oligokyphus material, so that I have had at hand for comparison with the Holwell specimen good maxillary dentitions. Unfortunately, the Holwell quarry has not yielded any more tritylodontids. In Table I all the known tritylodontid species are listed with their relevant characteristics. An examination of these demonstrates how difficult it is to identify the Holwell specimen and how indefinite are some of the genera. The character of length versus width of the post-canine teeth is the most decisive. In Oligokyphus the length exceeds the width; in all other genera width exceeds length. The Holwell specimen falls in the latter category, thus eliminating Oligokyphus as a possible generic identification. In adults the number of postcanine teeth is usually six to seven, but the rates of loss and replacement may affect the number appreciably. Lufengia with five and Tritylodontotdeus with nine are the exceptions in the list and the Holwell specimen can on this and other characters be said to be sufficiently different to warrant exclusion from these two genera. The genus Chaleopothertum is based solely on a broken postcanine from Wurtemberg. There is disagreement about the cusp inter- pretation; probably it had two on the outer and three on the middle row, with the inner row missing. However it is so inconclusive that it contributes nothing to our knowledge of the group. The four remaining genera are comparable with the Holwell specimen in having six to seven postcanine teeth and in having their width in excess of the length. Size does not appear to be a generic character, since in Bienotherium where four species are described ———————————————————V—_V3V—nnrvOvoOococrcrremee TRITYLODONTID INCERTAE SEDIS 81 there is a large size range. Stratigraphically the precise level is often in doubt and the total range is small, Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic. The only character remaining is the number of cusps on each of the three rows on the postcanine teeth. This number, when a large number of specimens is available, is seen to vary, (i) from individual to individual and (11) along the tooth row in a jaw. Often a cusp may be only partially developed, and different authors may give different figures for the same specimen. The complete count for the Holwell specimen is as follows:— Holwell UB 19046 Right maxilla Measurements in mm Number of cusps a—p trs outer middle inner PO 1 — — — oo — 2 4°93 5:0 2+a 3+a 3 moo 4:0 50 2 3+a 3 m4 4:5 50 2+a 3+a 3 PU 5 .4°2 4:0 2 3+a 3 PC6 — _ —— -— —— PG 7. — = ~— ~— From these figures it is clear that for all teeth present, the inner row of cusps always contains three and the middle row three plus a small accessory cuspule (a), which might by some authors be regarded as a fourth cusp, depending on the depth of the cleft separating it from the adjacent cusp. The outer row has two cusps on each tooth, with additionally an accessory caspule on PC 2 and BG 4: The height of the cusps and the degree of crescentic development might be used, if available on sufficient specimens. The extent of wear On many specimens, and in particular on the Holwell specimen rules out use of these characters. Comparing now the Holwell specimen with the four remaining genera, Stereognathus from the Stonesfield Slate is clearly the most dissimilar. Stereognathus is unique in the reduction of cusps to 2 2 2; also it is later stratigraphically than any other known tritylodontid. On both these counts it can be regarded as distinct from the Holwell specimen. Likhoelia, Bienotherium and Tritylodon are, in theory if not in practice, distinguishable on their cusp formulae, and none corresponds exactly to that of the Holwell specimen. These three Triassic genera can be interpreted as having a 2 — 3 — 3 cusp formula. None is exactly the same size as the Holwell specimen, though T. fraasi is closest. Thus in assessing the Holwell specimen taxonomically only two R. J. G. SAVAGE 82 —— | | eS | | — | | SC Eee —_—— |S | Ss | ee eeSeSeeSSEEeeEeEeEeEEEESeEeEEEEEEeEeeee ————————— OO :.-OQ_ oe z ae z d c € z oe = ba. 6 ove SG S. tree. Ss ee yee AC dy = ae Gieece 4S I Ww Oo rod uOT}eULIO A dsny +9 Jaquinyy a geld ouiuery 1sOg 6661 ny 2 MoYD Lv61 Sunox zg61 mMoyD ov61 Sunox of61 sunox 1961 Sinqsutry Fggi UUMG £ggt r9xx2pAT £061 ourysouy oz61 Stuuszy PSgr yWomsapeyyD QIUIIIJIY [VUISIIO DDIYap vidua{nT sOULUL if wnusou . supsaja is asuaunuund wnrsayjouarg 149F1aquaqja DaoYyyrT snaavsuo) uopojdjrs 7, SNUWIXDUL SnaplojUopo}d]rs J, ispvLf Uwopopdzrs 7, luasiuarg wnisayj0goa/vy’) sypisasiyy snygdyosiQ souIuL snjyijoo SnyvudoaLas QUIeNy eulyD ‘ueuuNnX “uly Ssugny] BOY “S ‘OoLIey ‘spog poy wey = 5 ‘OOLIVY ‘QUOISPULG ALDH Aueulises) ‘Sinquisyin AA ‘pog-ouog puvjsuyq *‘JOSIQUIOG ‘[[IM[OP ‘a1nsst J puv[suyq ‘“jas1aul0g ore uoidayg ‘ornsst.q puelsuq ‘P10JxO ‘91¥[S P[eyseuois uoneI0'T] DISSVIUL ddddfh oissvunle UAMOT oissvunl dcIWw uInj}eNS TRITYLODONTID INCERTAE SEDIS 83 answers seem possible. One is to establish it as a new genus, dif- ferentiated from existing genera only on a small difference in the number of cuspules. The alternative is to leave the Holwell specimen without a generic allocation as Tritylodontid incertae sedis. The latter alternative is in the circumstances preferable. I am grateful to Dr. J. A. Hopson for valuable comments on this note. I have in general followed his cusp interpretation, but as his taxonomic revision is unpublished I have left this unaltered. REFERENCES Kiihne, W. G. 1956. The Liassic therapsid Oligokyphus. x, 149 pp., 66 figs., 12 pls., London: Trustees of the British Museum. Savage, R. J. G. & Waldman, M. 1966. Oligokyphus from Holwell Quarry, Somerset. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc. 31, 185-192, 1 plate. 84 A LATE PLEISTOCENE MAMMAL FAUNA FROM CAERWENT QUARRY, MONMOUTHSHIRE By STEPHEN LOCKE (Newport Museum, Monmouthshire) INTRODUCTION URING August 1970 an enquiry at Newport Museum resulted in the author identifying a number of mammalian teeth and bones of late Pleistocene age, from Caerwent Quarry, Monmouthshire. The finder, Mr. Colin Titcombe, was at that time working in the quarry. The best part of the finds have been lent to Newport Museum where some are now on display. The fossils had been collected during the previous five months from a cave or fissure which had been revealed, and then largely destroyed by quarrying. Sufficient evidence remained however to justify a brief account of the geological context of the fauna in addition to compiling a faunal list. Caerwent quarry is working in Carboniferous Limestone of the Drybrook Limestone Formation which has here a general southerly dip of about 5°. (Welch & Trotter, 1961). The cave was exposed in the highest western face of the quarry (grid reference ST 472 895), the top of which lies at about roo ft. O.D. THE BONE CAVE The fossils were found in a cave which has the form of a long, roofed, vertical fissure bearing at 145°. It was 55 m long, about 4 m wide and exceeded 11 m in depth. The north-western end is terminated by a vertical shaft communicating with the surface which was certainly the main entrance, and the only part of the cave still remaining. A shallow sub-circular depression 8-5 m wide marks the communication of the shaft with the surface but in section it is seen to narrow rapidly to 3 m. The following section is revealed in the shaft:— 2. Orange-brown loamy clay streaked with many small patches of black sooty material and a few larger patches of wet yellow clay towards the base. Small quartz pebbles and fragments of limestone are thinly scattered throughout this deposit which shows slight signs of stratification. filling shaft to... ng ua oe 2 .> 45. LATE PLEISTOCENE MAMMAL FAUNA 85 1. Breccia. Angular fragments of Carboniferous Limestone of varying sizes (commonly between 100 and 200 mm) generally much weathered with a decalcified skin; broken fragments of banded tuffaceous stalagmite; thinly scattered bones, often friable; set in a matrix of mottled red to dark brown sandy clay with black and yellow patches as in bed 1. No visible stratification. Seen tO fiss Me eve a ss a2 oe a se 00) Talus slope to floor of quarry The lowest levels of the breccia are stated by Mr. Titcombe to have contained fewer but larger blocks of limestone in a matr’x of brown sandy clay; some of these boulders still remain on the quarry floor and attain sizes of 2 or 3 m. They appear waterworn and are probably contemporary with the original enlargement of a minor fault to form the cave. ‘The bone-bearing breccia occurred at higher levels in the front half of the cave and contained angular limestone fragments throughout, which varied in size up to 0:5 m. This is interpreted as a frost breccia with a variable matrix introduced by periodic flooding; tuffaceous stalagmite formed intermittently and was subsequently broken and incorporated in the breccia. THE FAUNA A good range of species is represented by only a few specimens of each; teeth are common, sometimes only the crowns are preserved, but some mandibles and other bones also occur. Although no actual traces of gnawing have been detected, the very fragmentary nature of the bones, together with the presence of juvenile mammoth and deer, suggest that this fauna was largely carrion accumulated by hyaena. HYAENA Crocuta crocuta Erxleben at least three adults and a juvenile are represented by several mandibles, a number of teeth and coprolites. LION Felis leo Linné BADGER Meles meles Linné BROWN BEAR Ursus arctos Linné these species represented by a small number of teeth, and in the case of the Badger, mandibles. MAMMOTH Mammuthus trimigenius (Blumenbach) one juvenile is represented by four teeth. WILD PIG Sus scrofa Linné GIANT DEER Megaloceros giganteus (Blumenbach) 86 S. LOCKE REINDEER Rangifer tarandus (Linné) Deer are mainly represented by a few mandible fragments and a number of teeth, many of which are very juvenile. BOS/BISON Ox or Bison BANK VOLE Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber) VOLE Microtus sp. FIELD MOUSE Apodemus sylvaticus (Linné) Rodents are represented by several mandibles and loose teeth. COMPARISON WITH OTHER SITES Late Pleistocene deposits with stratigraphic control are known from the Wye Valley (King Arthur’s Cave: Hewer 1926, Taylor 1928) and Mendip (Cheddar Caves: Donovan 1955; Brean Down: ApSimon, Donovan & Taylor 1961). Many smaller caves, fissures and shelters are known for which Donovan (1954) provides a com- plete bibliography and Savage (1969) a stratigraphical summary. On Mendip, a late Pleistocene cold fauna which included mammoth, rhinoceros, cave-lion, hyaena and bison was followed by a dry-cold final Pleistocene fauna marked by the absence of these animals but the persistence of reindeer, giant deer, red and roe deer, hare, brown bear and fox. Rodents, including lemmings and pika, are generally important members of this fauna. The earlier period is identified as “‘proto-Solutrian”’ in terms of human culture, the later as Cheddarian. The Wye Valley caves fit into this broad scheme. The lower levels of King Arthur’s Cave (i.e. the Red and Yellow Clays and Silts, the “‘Mammoth layer’’ and the Cave Earths) are late Pleisto- cene and the succeeding Yellow Rubble with its numerous rodents is final Pleistocene. The lowest levels of the nearby Merlin’s cave (Hewer 1926, Phillips 1931, Hinton 1924) are final Pleistocene. Occurrences of late Pleistocene faunas are restricted on Mendip, but the Caerwent fauna is comparable to that from layer 3 of Picken’s Hole (Tratman 1964). The Almondsbury fissure (Savage 1969) contains a somewhat similar fauna as do the Cave Earths and equivalent deposits in King Arthur’s Cave. REFERENCES Apsimon, A. M., Donovan, D. T. and Taylor, H. 1961. The Stratigraphy and Archaeology of the Late-Glacial and Post- Glacial Deposits at Brean Down, Somerset. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 9, 67-136. LATE PLEISTOCENE MAMMAL FAUNA 87 Donovan, D. T. 1954. A Bibliography of the Palaeolithic and Pleistocene Sites of the Mendip, Bath and Bristol Area. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 7, 23-24. Donovan, D. T. 1955. The Pleistocene Deposits at Gough’s Cue, Cheddar, including an account of recent excavations. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 7, 76-104. Hewer, T. F. 1926. Second Report on Excavations in the Wye Valley. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 2 (for 1925), 216-228. Hinton, M. A. C. 1924. Preliminary notes upon Mammalian Remains from Merlin’s Cave. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 2, 156-158. Phillips, C. W. Final Report on the excavations of Merlin’s Cave, Symonds Yat. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 4, 11-33. Savage, R. J. G. 1969. Pleistocene Mammal Faunas. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 12, 57-62. Taylor, H. 1928. King Arthur’s Cave, near Whitchurch, Ross-on- Wye. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 3 (for 1927), 59-83. Tratman, E. K. 1964. Picken’s Hole, Crooks Peak, Somerset. A Pleistocene Site. Preliminary Note. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 10, 112-115. Welch, F. B. A. & Trotter, F. M., 1961. Geology of the Country around Monmouth and Chepstow. Mem. Geol. Survey Great Britain, 1961, London, H.M.S.O. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author is grateful to Mr. Colin Titcombe for drawing his attention to this find and assistance with field work; also to:Mr. Richard Williams for placing specimens at his disposal and the management of Caerwent Quarries, Ltd., for allowing access to the quarry. I am indebted to J. A. Bateman, B.Sc., M.I. Biol., A.M.A., Keeper of Zoology, the National Museum of Wales, for making his advice and his department’s collections freely available. ee St Seca | Shey Mt oot) HG, SoRaenieae = we ee JT .2g@t: SF paar . otal gee | BINOCULARS [=#5==< reenka of CaeuTy, from ‘PENTAX ross - Leitz. | tie SWIFT pe A aa ZEISS. DIRECT TO YOU AT ENORMOUS DISCOUNTS CAN SAVE YOU UP TO THIS:COUPON in ws = c a = — e wa ‘e ar < = 4 ‘Oo z z . 2 Names like these represent the finest quality Binoculars obtain- = able today. Available to you at up to 25°, direct sale discount. “ FOR EXAMPLE: RETAIL PRICE OUR PRICE| a Audubon 8-5 x 44MK. II ... £42-50 £3100 | 4 Ross Stepruva 9 x 35 P £57-44 £43-00 Carl Zeiss Dialyt 10 x 40B £103-74 £81-00 | Swift Saratoga 8 x 40 MK. I]! £28-50 £21:00 | Zeiss Jenoptem 8 x 30W £29-50 £19-50 | B. Nickel Supra Telescope 15 x 60x60 £55-95 £43-00 The Birdwatchers choice the SUPERB HERON 8 x 40 (£15-00) and | the HERON 10x50 at our special! price of £1600. Approved by | the Forestry Commission and Nature Conservancy. All Brand new, complete with Hide Case, Lanyard & Guarantee. | 7 DAY APPROVAL SERVICE SEND REMITTANCE WITH ORDER | ALWAYS 36 MODELSIN STOCK FROM £9 to £85 | SEND for our FREE BROCH URE “‘YOUR GUIDE TO l BINOCULAR /TELESCOPE OWNERSHIP’”’ PRAKTICA CAMERAS - 333°, DISCOUNT | SUPER TL with TESSAR f.2:8 50mm Retail | Price £79:97. Our Price. £60:20. Case extra £3-75. Send for full price list — 25°, on most other makes , HERON OPTICAL COMPANY PEPTsnN3 ( 15 Short Croft, Doddinghurst, Brentwood Essex. Tel: Navestock 3498 cme ee ee es ee ee es ee would like toreceive: ........ ADDIRESS than cnet icant seve iene meer Zz ~ me 1 ‘ 1 4 \ — ' i ae * ii if. , ch t PRESIDENTS WILLIAM SANDERS HENRY E. FRIPP ee GEORGE FORSTER BURDER .. JOHN BEDDOE Professor WILLIAM RAMSAY Rev. THOMAS HINCKS .. : Professor C. LLOYD MORGAN . Professor ADOLPH LEIPNER Professor SYDNEY YOUNG S. H. SWAYNE Professor C. LLOYD MORGAN ee ARTHUR B. PROWSE Cc. K. RUDGE JAMES W. WHITE G. MUNRO SMITH Miss I. M. ROPER G. C. GRIFFITHS ins ERNEST (later Sir Ernest) H. COOK H. WOMERSLEY 2 Professor O. V. DARBISHIRE JAMES RAFTER A. L. FLEMMING . J. W. TUTCHER F. S. WALLIS Professor O. V. DARBISHIRE G. E. J. McMURTRIE Ae Professor MACGREGOR SKENE H. TETLEY Sir LEWIS L. FERMOR F. W. EVENS H. H. DAVIS Professor W. F. WHITTARD J. H. SAVORY R. BASSINDALE Miss M. H. ROGERS F. COLES PHILLIPS H. H. DAVIS R. J. G. SAVAGE A. F. DEVONSHIRE F. R. STERNE R. BRADSHAW S. M. TAYLOR The dates given are fe of Sas to arr 1862 MEMBERSHIP OF THE BRISTOL NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY Anyone interested in Natural History may apply to join the Society as a Full member. The annual subscription is £1:-50. Members of the household of a Full member and persons residing outside a radius of twenty miles from the City Centre of Bristol may become members for an annual subscription of 75p. There are also Junior membership facilities for persons between the ages of 12 and 18 years at the reduced subscription of 50p. A prospectus giving fuller details of the privileges of the various classes of membership may be obtained from the Honorary ‘Treasurer:— P. J. M. NerTHERcOoTT, 6 HazELwoop, HazELwoop Roap, BRISTOL Q. PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRISTOL NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY The Society has stocks of back numbers of most annual parts of the Proceedings which may be purchased at the price of 25p per part (except parts of Vol. XXX which are 4op and of Vol. XXXI which are 75p), postage extra. Application should be made to the Honorary Librarian, Bristol Naturalists’ Society, City Museum, Bristol 8. In addition, the undermentioned papers from the Proceedings may be obtained from the Honorary Librarian:— A Revised List of the Birds of the Bristol District by H. H. Davis, reprinted from Proc., 1947. Price 25p, postage extra. A Centenary History of the Bristol Naturalists’ Society 1862- 1962, being Part IIIA of Proc., 1961. Price 25p, postage extra. ms 06.442 VOLUME 32, PART 2 PRICE ONE POUND 1971 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Bristol Naturalists’ Society Epirep By J. W. COWIE ASSISTED BY A COMMITTEE “Rerum cognoscere causas”—Virgil PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY AT THE BURLEIGH PRESS, BRISTOL Issued roth August, 1972 |__ Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc. | 32,(2) | pp.89—185 | 1972 | All matter for inclusion in the next issue of the Proceedings should be sent to:— Dr. J. W. Cowie, DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BrisTOL, QUEEN’s BUILDING, University WALK, BRISTOL, BS8 ITR NOT LATER THAN FEB. 28. 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VOLUME 32, PART 2. 1972 CONTENTS PAGE Council .. oN a me v = ie - oe 90 Report of Council oe a - a ee a - es o1 Librarian’s Report Ek oF x ie Se oe ae 91 Hon. Treasurer’s Statement of (ene 3 ae = 4 ent 92 Report of Entomological Section a oe = e — a 93 Report of Botanical Section .. a i ms = e 4 a 93 Report of Geological Section .. as 3 en - os - 94 Report of Ornithological Section - St eee ete a a 94 Report of Mammal Section .. 2a e nr ~ a a 95 Account of the General Meetings oe or as - 54 os 95 Bristol Botany in 1971, by A. J. Willis = as au = a 97 Bristol Bird Report, 1971 ” 105 Lepidoptera Notes, Bristol District, 1971, by A: N. teks K, H. - Poot R. Lymes, and J. M. Boyd a 133 Mammal Survey, Bristol District, 1971, by R. G. nie ae o yin 14 Obituaries ve 149 A New Exposure of NG Ola Red esnaipne Dawes eon Shale Transition at Portishead, Somerset, Bye M. Butler, B. P. J. Williams, and R. Bradshaw ; 151 The Diptera (Insecta) of ees Moi ie K. G. Ne ‘Smith ae ‘4 OT The Spider Fauna of Steep Holm; Addendum, by B. J. Chase .. eo. d61 A Preliminary Study of the Occurrence of Iron Ore at the new Trading Estate, Yate, by M. T. Curtis... Se is .. 163 Some Gorges of the Bristol District, by A. B. See a ys ia 167 pe See 2 INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS All matter offered for publication in the ‘‘PROcEEDINGs’” must be sent as directed on p. 2 of cover of current issue. . To ensure consideration for inclusion in the next issue, contributions must be received not later than February 28. All copy must be type-written with double spacing and good margins. Copy submitted is not returnable and authors are advised to keep a duplicate. At the discretion of the Hon. Editor, contributors may be required to furnish short abstracts of their communications, for printing as summaries. Photos and drawings supplied for illustrations will be returned. The copyright of all published matter shall be the property of the Society, whose Council has power to permit reproduction. Authors shall be entitled to 25 copies of their papers (without covers), free of charge. NV.B.—AUTHORS ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCURACY OF THEIR ARTICLES. THE SOCIETY Is A SIGNATORY TO THE FaIR CopyiING DECLARATION, DETAILS OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ROYAL Society, 6 CARLTON House TERRACE, Lonpon SW1Y 5AG. A 89 90 COUNCIL 1971 OFFICERS: PRESIDENT: S. M. TAYLOR, B.Sc., M.I.Mech.E. PAST PRESIDENTS: F.S. WALLIS, Ph.D., D.Sc. R. J. G. SAVAGE, Prof. M. SKENE, D.Sc., F.L.S. B.Sc., Ph.D., F.L.S. F. W. EVENS A. F. DEVONSHIRE, H. H. DAVIS, M.B.O.U. M.A., Phe: R. BASSINDALE, M.Sc. F. R. STERNE Miss M. H. ROGERS, M.A. R. BRADSHAW, M.Sc. Prof. F. COLES PHILLIPS, M.A., Ph.D. VICE-PRESIDENTS: Mrs. A. J. HOLLOWELL, M.A., A.M.A. C. E. LEESE, B.Sc. HON. TREASURER: HON. AUDITOR: P. J. M. NETHERCOTT A. E, BILLETT HON. SECRETARY: Miss A. HECKELS, B.Sc. HON. CIRCULATION SECRETARIES: Mr. C. S. CARLILE and Mr. J. G. PRINCE HON. BULLETIN SECRETARY; D. W. B. FROST CHAIRMAN, FIELD COMMITTEE: H. G. HOCKEY HON. SECRETARY, FIELD COMMITTEE: A. F. DEVONSHIRE, M.A., Ph.D. HON. LIBRARIAN: R. BRADSHAW, M.Sc. HON. ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN: Mrs. M. J. ROGERS, M.A. HON. EDITOR: J. W. COWIE, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.G.S. HON. SCHOOLS LIAISON OFFICER: Mrs. A. J. HOLLOWELL, M.A., A.M.A. OFFICERS OF SECTIONS: BOTANICAL: President—A. F. DEVONSHIRE, M.A., Ph.D. Hon. Secretary—Miss I. F. GRAVESTOCK, B.A. ENTOMOLOGICAL: President and Hon. Secretary—T. B. SILCOCKS, F.C.A. GEOLOGICAL: President—D. HAMILTON, B.A., M.Sc. Hon. Secretary—A. B. HAWKINS, B.Sc., F.G.S. JUNIOR: President—C. E. D. SMITH, Ph.D. Hon. Secretary—K. COOK Hon. Membership Secretary—Miss D. M. BUSSELL MAMMAL: President—A. F. JAYNE Hon. Secretary—Miss E. J. LENTON ORNITHOLOGICAL: President—P. J. W. CHADWICK Hon. Secretary—H. R. H. LANCE OTHER MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: J. BARRETT F. H. RAWLINGS, M.P.S., D.P.A. Mrs. N. M. BENNETT E. S. SMITH Mrs. D. G. HILL-COTTINGHAM R. G. SYMES, B.Sc. Mrs. I. M. HOCKEY G. SWEET Ex-officio the Professors of Botany, GEOLOGY and ZooLocy at the UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL 91 REPORT OF COUNCIL, 1971 HE membership now stands at 790 including 71 juniors. There are 10 affiliated societies. The Annual General Meeting re-elected S. M. Taylor as President and elected the other Officers and Members of Council. The Annual Dinner was held in the Senior Common Room of the University, after which our Guest Speaker, Mr. D. Browning, gave an illustrated talk on ‘Field and Hedgerow’’. The Conservation Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. K. Batty continues its good work. The Nature Trail at Ashton Park was opened on 24th April. As a result of representation to the Nature Conservancy two areas, Cook’s Folly Woodland and Windsor Hill Marsh, have been given the status of a S.S.S.I. The committee has protested to the County Authority against dumping at Nailsea Moor and Kenn Moor. A Natural History Survey of the area bordering the Avon in Sneyd Park has been completed and a report handed to the City Planning Officer. A survey of the Avon Valley from Bristol to Bath has commenced. At a meeting in December, 1971 the Library Committee decided to recommend to Council for discussion at their February meeting that:— (1) Negotiations should proceed with the University at an opportune time for the sale of the Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History (Council have already authorised the sale). (2) Attempts be made to sell, at a good price, the Palaeontographical Society memoirs. (3) Runs of European periodicals, little or never used, should be sold. (4) The exchange list should be pruned. (5) Money from these sales should be used to purchase books of general interest to members. Informal talks have begun with local Natural History Trusts concerning possible implications of impending local government boundary changes. We regret we have to report the deaths of Mr. F. B. Evans, Dr. D. Munro Smith, Mr. C. B. Salter and Miss A. K. Swaine. AUDREY HECKELS, Hon. Secretary. EILBRARIAN’S REPORT, 1971 HE proposal to build a new City Museum has been abandoned and the hopes of the Society that at last its library would be adequately housed have been dashed. In the foreseeable future therefore we must make do with the present room and take steps to see that it is used to maximum advantage. To add to our problems the University library has given us notice that because of their own space problems all our foreign journals at present in the library in Queen’s Building must be removed within two to three years. The Library Committee is investigating ways of reducing the size of the library by selling runs of periodicals which are little, or never, used. The proceeds of such sales will be devoted to the purchase of a wider range of books on natural history than has been possible hitherto. Weare grateful to the Director of the City Museum and the Librarian of Queen’s Building, University of Bristol for providing accommodation over the years and for their continued help. ACCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY, 1971 Macfadyen, W. A. Highlights of the Geology of the West Country. Simms, E. Woodland Birds. Rowbotham, F. W. The Severn Bore. Findlay, W. P. K. Wayside and Woodland Fungi. McMillan, N. F. British Shells. Ragge, D. R. Grasshoppers, Crickets and Cockroaches of the British Isles. R. BRADSHAW, Hon. Librarian. 92 7TL6) ‘Arenuer Wg] ‘“uonpny ‘uo ‘LLATIIA “A “V ‘3901109 punoj pue poypny 79-O€L ‘IF LE-98¢ TT-08 00-007 00-007 8S-9€ L9-69 00-08 00-01 00-0€ 00-ST 00-01 00:¢ 00-01 00:9 Sc-9 0S -6S 06-L ¢0:0 $0:9P Os:S ST-809 SE-v8E 00-cT LS-LLI 8L:v6l d F d F 7) 96:SLF¥ JO puny [eedg uoNseg [eoISOjOyIUIO oq} pue sloinsvol} [euOoT}ses Aq ploy soouR[eq P10OD0I JOU Op s}UNODOB 9S], :910N €l-ooF puny suoneiisni]y AIoAeg Alley 8Y} BUIpNoUT, sd}}IWWUWIOD pet Jo spury uy spuog sauraeg ysniig % L O0TF spuog jJusuldojeaeq feuonen % 7S OOTF« yuvg SSUIAS JeUOTIeNY UI WIsOdeq yueq ul ysey :JUNODNB }xXOU O} sooULTeg sorung [edISOTOYWUIO [eure [ed1so[OoyHy [eoIsofowiojyug yeorurjog :SUOT}99G 0} sJURIDH SBUI}D0UI [VIDUNS JO sosuadxa puve sole{ ‘Oy9 ‘OINJENE IOJ PIOUNOD 0} suUOTINGIIJUO_Z (Are1gi[) sUeINSUT 311] (wool AIeIQI] JO) UY ‘Oyo ‘syeuinof 10} suondriosqng syoog (syulidgo SurIpnysut ‘9/ 6]) ssuipaaz04g QdULISISSE [VOTIZ[D syooq senbsya auoyds]o} pue sosejsog AIQUONILIS PUL BUNUTIg [eIOUEH OvL IF 8¢ €l (44) 8Le Tl I orl 617 i OL6! 79-O€L‘TF ST-V 10-€L6 “CL6E Arenuef Wer daanspady ‘U0oH ‘TL LTODUAHLAN ‘W ‘Ef ‘d JUNOSSB JsP] WoIJ souL]Teg pun, suonezsnyy] sy 02 suolnqiyu0s sioquioyy spuog Uo }so190}U] yueg ssuraeg [euoneN Wolly jso10}UT qwoid : MoUs WITT OL6T IOUUIP UO WoOIg sospeg jo 9[eS youd :99}}1WIWOD Play AIOAeG ALIeY soles syulidyo sUuvIQy SsUuIpaaIOId suoneuog SOHoID0g povelyyv siolune soyeloossy SIOQUIDJA, SUIPUOdsaIIOZD Pjoyssnoy owes oY} JO sIoquIEy [IN sIOqUIs| [IN :suondiiosqng ,sIoquicjy IL6] “WAAWAOAC I€ GHANA UVEA AHL YUOA SLINNODDV AY3190¢ SISITeININ [OMG 94} YIM JUNODDY UI JOIMseIIy, ‘UOF] YT OPL IF 93 REPORT OF ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION, 1971 T the Annual General Meeting on 5 January the following were elected: A sicent and Secretary, T. B. Silcocks; Committee: Mrs. R. E. Knight, P. F. Bird, J. F. Burton, A. N. Grose. The following meetings were held. Leaders of field excursions are given in parentheses. Mar. 2: Films ‘‘Butterflies at home”’ and ‘‘Four Seasons” by Mr. D. Whatley. May 2: Barnsley Warren (Mr. J. Muggleton). June 5: Charterhouse (Mr. T. B. Silcocks). June 27: Avebury and Marlborough Downs (Joint with Junior Section). July 17: Forest of Dean (Mr. A. N. Grose). August 7: Midger Wood (Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Knight). October 5: “Looking Forward,”’ illustrated talk by Mr. P. F. Alfrey. Nov. 2: Annual Exhibition at the City Museum. This included the Fullock Collection of Malaysian butterflies. T. B. SILCOCKS, Hon. Secretary. REPORT OF BOTANICAL SECTION, 1971 T the Annual General Meeting in the Botany Department Herbarium on Az January, 1971, the following officers were elected: President: Dr. A. F. Devonshire; Secretary and Treasurer: Miss I. F. Gravestock; Committee: Dr. T. E. T. Bond, Dr. D. H. Brown, Mrs. C. H. Cummins, Mrs. N. Vaughan Davies, Mr. C. H. Hurfurt, Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott, Dr. D. H. Peregrine and Dr. C. E. D. Smith. The wild plant table at the Museum continued to be much appreciated, and thanks are offered to Mr. N. Thomas and Mr. P. F. Bird of the Museum and to Mr. E. S. Smith, as well as to the members and others who helped during Mr. Smith’s illness. The following winter meetings were held during the year:— Jan. 25: Annual General Meeting and a Further Progress Report on the Somerset Flora by Capt. R. G. B. Roe; also Members’ Evening. Feb. 22: Symposium on Upper Teesdale, by Dr. L. C. Frost, Mr. John Muggleton and Miss I. F. Gravestock. Mar. 15: Pollination—Some Mechanisms and Consequences, by Dr. MM. C. F.. Proctor, M.A., Ph.D., A.R.P.S. Oct. 25: Members’ Evening, with transparencies. Nov. 22: The Flowers of South Africa, by Mrs. N. Vaughan Davies. The following field excursions took place, under the leadership of those shown:— Mar. 27: Leigh Woods, for Bryophytes. Mrs. J. A. Appleyard. April 24: From alluvium to limestone; Mouth of Axe to Purn Hill. Miss G. E. Middleton. May 22: Charterhouse and Velvet Bottom. Dr. D. H. Brown. June 12: Kenfig Burrows. Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott. This area still supports a rich flora. Liparis loeseliit was seen, and many excellent specimens of Pyrola rotundifolia. June 29: The Heart of Bristol. Dr. A. F. Devonshire. July 3: Goblin Combe. Miss V. Graham. July 31: Clevedon to Redcliffe Bay. Mr. C. H. Cummings. Althaea officinalis found on the beach near Redcliffe Bay. Sept. 4: Bickley and Hencliff Woods, Hanham. Mr. C. H. Hurfurt. Sept. 11: Fungus Foray to Wetmoor. Dr. C. E. D. Smith. I. F. GRAVESTOCK, Hon. Secretary. 94 REPORT OF GEOLOGICALSECTION, 1971 HE Annual Business Meeting of the Section was held on 7th January, 1971 in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. A. E. Frey; Vice President, Mr. D. Hamilton; Hon. Secretary, Dr. A. B. Hawkins; Hon. Field Secretary, Mr. D. Hamilton; Committee, Professor D. L. Dineley, Student President of the University Geo- logical Society (both ex-officio), Miss Garland, Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Hollingsworth and Mr. Leese. After the Meeting, the retiring President, Mr. D. Hamilton, gave a lecture entitled ‘Deeps and Canyons of the Western Approaches’. Other lecture meetings were:— 17 February: Geological Problems in a Developing Country. Dr. R. J. G. Savage. 18 March: Limestones in the Making. Dr. J. W. Murray. 21 October: Mendips: An exhumed landscape. Mr. A. E. Frey. 18 November: Origin and Early Evolution of Life. Dr. J. W. Cowie. The following three field meetings took place: 27 June: Swanage. Leaders, Mr. C. A. Wright, Dr. J. W. Murray. 18 July: The Vale of Wardour. Leaders, Mr. C. A. Wright, Mr. A. N. Insole. 25-26 September: The Gower Coast. Leader, Dr. B. P. J. Williams. A. B. HAWKINS, Hon. Secretary. REPORT OF ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION, 1971 T the 47th Annual General Meeting, Messrs. A. J. Chadwick and H. R. H. Lance were re- elected President and Secretary respectively. Mr. S. M. Taylor was re-elected as Assistant Secretary. Miss R. C. Lee, Mr. M. A. Ogilvie and Mr. R. Pople were elected to the Committee, while Messrs. W. G. Bigger, R. Bland, D. Lucas, J. D. R. Vernon and D. Warden were re-elected. Mr. A. E. Billett was ; re-appointed Hon. Auditor. “THE WREN THE KING O} Eight Indoor Meetings were held with an average Tee REN Uf 2 kos attendance of 73. The subjects and speakers were:— Jan. 20: Birds of Greece by Mr. P. J. Chadwick. Feb. 5: Bird Painting by Mr. E. Penny. Feb. 19: Birds of East Africa and nearby Islands by Dr. M. E. Gillham. Mar. 19: Rings for Research by Mr. C. J. Mead. Oct. 1: Water Identification by Mr. S. M. Taylor, Mr. H. R. Hammacott and Mr. W. G. Bigger. Oct. 20: Alaska by Mr. B. Sage. Nov. 19: Two colour films ‘The Penguin Millionaire’ and “The Flying Doctor of Jamaica” by Mr. L. Hill. Dec. 10: More Birds of Prey by Mr. P. J. Hayman. Eleven Field Meetings were organized as follows:—Bury inlet, Glamorgan (Feb. 21st). The Severn Shore and The Wildfowl Trust (Feb. 28th). Brean Down and Axe Estuary (May 2nd). Hanham (May 4th). Leigh Woods (May 14th). St. George’s Wharf (May 24th). Shepton Mallet (June 5th). Didmarton and Tor- marton (June 16th). Brean Down and Axe Estuary (Sept. 12th). Clevedon Sea 95 Walls (Oct. 10th). Caldicot Marsh, River Severn and adjoining habitats (Nov. 7). We thank the leaders and helpers on these occasions, and also those members who gave hospitality to visiting speakers and helped in other ways. Members contributed to the following B.T.O. field projects:—The Nest record and Ringing schemes, The Common Bird Census, the Birds of Estuaries Survey, The Atlas of Breeding Distribution; and to our own projects on The Birds of Bristol, Starling roosts, Birds of Prey, Gulls of the River Avon, Shelduck Survey, Collared Dove Survey, House Martin Survey, and Rookeries in S. Gloucester. More members, skilled or unskilled, would be most welcome to join in any of these activities. H. R. H. LANCE, Hon. Secretary. REPORT OF MAMMAL SECTION, 1971 T the Annual General Meeting on 12th January, 1971 the following officers Awe re-elected: President, Mr. A. F. Jayne; Secretary, Miss E. J. Lenton; Recorder Mr. R. G. Symes; Conservation Committee Representative, Mr. A. F. Jayne; Committee Members, Messrs. R. M. Curber, F. H. Rawlings and G. Walker. Mr. R. G. Symes was elected Library Committee representative and Miss J. Webb elected Committee member. Six indoor meetings were held, with an average attendance of 56:— Jan. 12: A.G.M. and members’ slides and talks. Feb. 9g: British Deer, by Mr. S. Harris. Mar. 9: Weasels, by Miss C. King. Oct. 29: The Spotted Hyaena, Past and Present, by Dr. A. J. Sutcliffe. Nov. 26: Mammals of the New Forest, by Mr. O. Hook. Dec. 17: Mammal Workshop; an evening of activities and exhibits to encourage member participation. Field meetings were as follows:— Reb. 7: Fox Spotting. Mr. F. H. Rawlings. Reb. 21: Badger Survey. Mr. F. H. Rawlings. Mar. 21: Rowberrow Warren. Miss E. J. Lenton. Apr. 4: Ashton Court Nature Trail. Mr. F. H. Rawlings. Apr. 16, 23 30. May 7, 14: Badger Watches. Mr. A. F. Jayne. May 15-16: River Surveys in Devon. Miss L. E. Hurrell. June 19-20: Glan-yr-Afon. Messrs. A. F. Jayne and R. H. Symes. July 13: River Survey—the Frome. Mr. G. Moysey. Aug. 29: Spaniorum Hill. Mr. A. F. Jayne. Sep. 5: Woodchester Park—horseshoe bats. Mr. R. Ransome. Sep. 24-26: Pembrokeshire—grey seals. Miss E. J. Lenton. Oct. 9: Woburn Deer Park. Mr. D. Talbot. Nov. 14: River Surveys—Axe, Huntspill and Brue. Miss J. Webb. Dec. 12: Leigh Woods. Messrs. R. M. Curber and G. Walker. E. J. LENTON, Hon. Secretary. ACCOUNT OF GENERAL MEETINGS, 1971 HERE have been good attendances at all the General Meetings. The Annual General Meeting was held on a2ist January. The Officers and Members of Council were elected. Mrs. F. R. Sterne, the retiring Secretary, had served for seven years in that office. The President, Mr. S. M. Taylor gave an address on ‘‘Reflections on a Witch-hunt’”’ outlining the history of Witchcraft from pre-history to the present time. On 14th January Mrs. D. G. Hill-Cottingham, who had spent a year in New Zealand, spoke on “‘A Naturalist in New Zealand’’. This meeting had originally been planned for November, 1970 but was postponed because of the “‘work-to- rule’ at the University. 96 On 4th February, Mr. K. S. Brown spoke on “The Recreational use of water in the U.S.A.’ This provoked a lively discussion on the facilities available at Chew Valley Lake. On 4th March, Mr. E. B. Cowell spoke on “‘Marine Pollution’’. He discussed the effect of man-made pesticides on mammals and birds and the eventual effect on man himself. On 14th October, Mrs. Angela Hughes spoke on “‘A farmer and conservation’’. Mrs. Hughes is an active conservationist as well as a farmer and her Blackmore Vale Farm is run accordingly. On 4th November, Professor Dineley spoke on “The Sabrina Project’’—an inter-disciplinary study of scientific factors within the Severn Estuary and _ its hinterland. During a Members’ Evening on 2nd December short accounts were given of places, incidents and observations based on their own travels. Contributors included Mr. Hammacott on Lake Neusiedl, Austria; Dr. C. E. D. Smith on Tanzania; Dr. A. F. Devonshire on Savernake Forest; Mrs. D. G. Hill-Cottingham on Panama Canal and Miss A. Heckels on Iceland. AUDREY HECKELS, Hon. Secretary. GENERAL FIELD MEETINGS, 1971 IFTEEN field meetings were held during the year and proved generally repute A list of the meetings with leaders and an indication of the things seen is given below. A fuller account is kept in the records of the Field Com- mittee. In the following list the leader is given first followed by the area visited. Jan. 17: H.G. Hockey. Penarth; geology Sully Island (accessible at low tide); small birds, waders, gulls. Barry Docks; waders. Mar. 28: D. A.C. Cullen. Heron’s Green; ducks etc. Mendip Hills; remains of mining, swallets, barrows, stone circles, and Roman remains. Aprilg: H.G. Hockey. Heddon Valley Nature Trail (N. Devon); birds, plants, and coast scenery. May 7: B. King. Shapwick; a late evening meeting to see nightjars. May 10: K. Batty. Ashton Park Nature Trail; trees, plants, birds and deer. May 13: D.A. C. Cullen. Inglestone Common; plants and birds, including nightingales. May 20: B. King. Saltford and Burnet; birds and limestone plants. June 6: Miss R. C. Lee. Bredon Hill; geology, plants, birds, and an Iron Age hill fort. June 23: Miss R. C. Lee. Long Wood Nature Trail and Velvet Bottom; trees, plants, birds and remains of lead mining. July 7: H. G. Hockey. Brent Knoll; an Iron Age hill fort with a beacon and extensive views. July 10: A. F. Devonshire. Castle Neroche Forest Trail; mixed woodland, and the earthworks of a Saxon and Norman castle. Aug. 14: Miss C. Groves. Prinknash Abbey. An ancient monastery, which is being rebuilt. Sept. 19: Mrs. D. G. Hill-Cottingham. Charmouth; marine biology, geology and birds. Oct. 17: Miss R. C. Lee. Durley reservoir; ducks and waders. Crowcombe Park Gate to Hodder’s Combe; birds and plants. Nov. 27: A. F. Devonshire. Caerleon and Caerwent; extensive remains of a Roman legionary fortress, and a Roman civil town. A. F. DEVONSHIRE, Hon. Field Secretary. BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1971 By A. J. WrLus (Department of Botany, University of Sheffield) HE year 1971 started with a very wet but relatively mild January and a dry February which was fairly sunny, conditions which resulted in moderately early spring growth. Records made at Long Ashton Research Station show that for the year as a whole, however, temperatures were average, but rainfall was greater than average (total of 957°6 mm., 37-70 inches) and sunshine also was above average. The rainfall was very unevenly distributed, with June, August and October distinctly wet months besides January, while May, July, September and December (as well as February) were much drier than usual. June was dull, cold and extremely wet, with nearly three times the average rainfall (the wettest day of the year was 10 June with 57-1 mm. of rain), but this weather was compensated by a warm, dry and sunny July (there were 14-9 hours of sunshine on 13 July, the sunniest day of the year). Although no records of any plants completely new to the Bristol ‘district were made in 1971, further localities for a considerable number of species were reported, some as a result of detailed study in connection with the flora of particular grid squares, certain of them in the City of Bristol itself. Among the more notable finds are several showing the continued existence of rare or uncommon plants in localities from which they have been reported many years ago and for which there are no recent authenticated records. Attention may be drawn especially to the welcome discovery of Herminium monorchis on Bathford Hill, to the occurrence in an inland locality, near Wells, of Trifolium squamosum (perhaps here reflecting the position of a former shore line), to the persistence of Sczrpus cernuus adjoining the shore near Portishead, and to the occurrence of Eryngium maritimum at Uphill. A new station is recorded for the hepatic Barbilophozia floerkei, very rare in North Somerset and not known from West Gloucestershire (v.c. 34). The Dutch Elm disease has been rampant in the district. It has caused considerable damage, apparently to all species of elm, and the widespread destruction was much worse than in 1970. This has had a severe impact, not only on the rural scene but also on the urban scene, as several trees on Durdham Down have been felled. Of interest is the full account of the history of the drainage of the 98 A. J. WILLIS Somerset Levels given by M. Williams in his book, published in 1970, entitled The Draining of the Somerset Levels (Cambridge University Press). Unfortunately only very little reference is made to vegetation, but drainage activities, probably dating first from the late twelfth century and subsequently involving extensive work and reclamation, are fully documented, and an appraisal is given of present trends and prospects. With the death of Dr. D. Munro Smith on 1 December 1971, following a fall in the Avon Gorge where he was looking for mosses, the district has lost a keen plant hunter who was active in the Bristol area for many years. Most of the records which he made were from around Frenchay and Stapleton, but, after his fairly recent move to Bristol itself, he turned his attention to the Avon Gorge. Dr. Munro Smith was especially interested in bryophytes and in 1963 he found an unusual moss in Oldbury Park, Bristol. This subsequently proved to be Pohlia lutescens (Limpr.) Lindb.f., new to Britain, and is the subject of a paper by Dr. E. V.Watson in the Transactions of the British Bryological Society (Vol. 5, pp-443-7; 1968). Names of contributors associated with several records are abbreviated thus: J.A., Mrs. J. Appleyard E.J.L., Miss E. J. Lenton J.F.B., J. F. Burton L.F.H.M., L. F. H. Merton C.H.C., C. H. Cummins P.J.M.N., P. J. M. Nethercott A.F.D., Dr. A. F. Devonshire R.G.B.R., Capt. R. G. B. Roe, R.N. I.F.G., Miss I. F. Gravestock M.A.S., Mrs. M. A. Silcocks S.C.H., Mrs. S. C. Holland D.M.S., Dr. D. Munro Smith G: Gloucestershire S: Somerset Polystichum setiferum (Forsk.) Woynar. Many plants on the borders of wood, Woodhill ridge, Portishead, S., [.F.G. Aquilegia vulgaris L. Compton Combe, near Compton Martin, another locality for this plant on the Mendip limestone, S., 7.4. Silene dioica (L.) Clairv. The rare form with white flowers, in a small wood near Litton, S., 7.A. S. alba (Mill.) E. H. L. Krause x S. dioica (L.) Clairv. A hybrid swarm, sand dunes, Berrow, S., L.F.H.M. Stellaria holostea L. var. laciniata Bromf. Hedge near Theale, S., 7.A. A first record for this form with laciniate petals south of Mendip and the third for the Bristol district. BRISTOL BOTANY 99 Malva moschata L. var. heterophylla Lej. With white flowers, Knapp Hill, Wells, S., L.F.G., conf. R.G.B.R. This variety is also reported from Sandford Hill, near Winscombe, S., J.F.G. and M.A.S. Lavatera arborea L. Large clump, an escape from cultivation, Failand, S., 7.F.B. Geranium columbinum L. With G. rotundifolium L., Goblin Combe, Cleeve, S., and also on Sandford Hill, near Winscombe, S., LF.G. G. robertianum L. The form with pure white flowers, on wall, Everard’s Farm, near Chewton Mendip, S., 7.A. Previous records exist for several other Mendip localities. Ulex gallit Planch. Encroaching heavily on down land, Crook Peak, S., LF.G. Medicago falcata L. Several erect plants by road near to the new Brislington Bridge, Bristol, S., A.F.D. Trifolium squamosum L. Many patches in Yarley Field Lane, south of Henton, near Wells, S., 7.4. This locality agrees with that given by Murray in 7. Bot. 1882, p. 328, and in his Flora of Somerset 1896, but the place where Miss Livett formerly knew the plant at “the old lane on the top of Yarley Hill’? which was “‘taken into the bordering field and ploughed up’’ (see White Flora, p. 235) appears to be different. The reprint of the first edition of the one-inch O.S. map shows a lane from Henton over the hill to the road along the north of Ash Moor, and J. squamosum grows in the only remaining section of this lane, now an overgrown footpath (a new road runs further west over the hill from Henton, and the section to Ash Moor has disappeared). The Sea Clover is also present in fair quan- tity in a slack grading from saline to nearly freshwater at Berrow, S., L.F.H.M.; this plant was earlier reported from the strand zone at Berrow (H. 8. Thompson, Rep. Bot. Sect. Som. Arch. and Nat. Hist. Soc. 1933). Fippocrepis comosa L. Locally common on steep slopes of Church Hill and Wain’s Hill, Clevedon, S., 7.F.B. Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz. One tree on Sandford Hill, near Winscombe, S., 1.F.G., who, with M.A.S., also reports Black- stonia perfoliata (L.) Huds., Iris foetidissima L., Platanthera chlorantha (Custer) Reichb. and Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz from this locality. 100 A. J. WILLIS Lythrum hyssopifolia L. In garden, Wraxall, S., H. Kay. Also present was a lilac form of Anagallis arvensis L. Eryngium marntimum L. A small plant on the sands at Uphill, S., T. B. Silcocks. Reported from this locality by St. Brody (White Flora, p. 329), but noted by White (oc. cit.) as “not there now’’. There is a record, however, of “‘several plants still at Uphill’ for 1922 (Sandwith, ms.), and the present report is of interest in respect of the continued, if sporadic, existence of this plant at this station. Foeniculum vulgare Mill. In lane, Abbots Leigh, S., C.H.C. Euphorbia lathyrus L. Several plants in shady hedgerow, Brockley Combe, S., 7.F.B. Gentianella amarella (L.) Borner. Crook Peak, S., I.F.G. Atropa bella-donna L. With Senecio squalidus L. and Lysimachia punctata L. on waste ground, Vicarage Road, Leigh Woods, S., C.H.C. Verbascum thapsus L. On waste ground, Dundry Down, S., A.F.D. Lathraea squamaria L. It was reported in the article by A. J. Willis and D. Gledhill on ‘A Herbarium Book of Dr. Arthur Broughton’ (these Proc. for 1970, p. 56) that there were no recent records of this plant from St. Vincent’s Rocks. However, Miss I. F. Gravestock notes that some ten years ago L. squa- maria was growing very near to the brickwork of the Bristol end of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, on the city side. The plant is also known (P.7.M.N., see Bristol Botany in 1967) on un- disturbed ground in the Sneyd Park region, but is very res- tricted on the Gloucestershire side of the Gorge, whereas it occurs in plenty in Leigh Woods on the Somerset side. Orobanche minor Sm. About a dozen plants in trough, Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol, G., A.F.D. Campanula trachelium L. At hedge border, Durdham Down, Bristol, G.: also on Sandford Hill, near Winscombe, S., J.F.G. Rubia peregrina L. Colonizing rock face on main road, Winscombe, Sz LEG. Dipsacus pilosus L. A further locality by the River Chew, north of Shrowl Bridge, near West Harptree, S., 7.A.; also abundant along the banks of the River Frome (on the Somerset side) opposite Pomeroy Wood, near Tellisford, S., £.7.L. Senecio vulgaris L. var. radiatus Koch. Chittening Warth, north of | FatleniiG., LPG: BRISTOL BOTANY 101 Cirsium eriophorum (L.) Scop. Gommon, with Cardus nutans L., on rough hillside pasture above Brockley Combe, S., 7.F.B. Onopordum acanthium L. Roadside, south end of Chew Stoke, S., 7.A. The Scotch or Cotton Thistle is rare in inland parts of the Bristol district. Cichorium intybus L. With Althaea rosea L., Carduus nutans L. and Linaria purpurea (L.) Mill., on derelict area between Weare St. and Mead St., Bristol, S., A.F.D. Allium oleraceum L. The report of the plant on Durdham Down made last year (Bristol Botany in 1970, p. 18) needs correction; this plant is not the variety complanatum (Bor.) Fries. Mr. W. T. Stearn, to whom the late Dr. D. Munro Smith sent specimens, notes (in litt.) that the plant lacks the rosy flowers attributed to Regel’s 8 roseum (the same as var. complanatum of Fries), and considers that it is a robust form which belongs to Regel’s A. oleraceum a virens. Further nearby localities for A. oleraceum are Clifton Down near the Suspension Bridge, G., S. Harris, and St. Vincent’s Rocks, G., Mrs. E. Hodgson (1956). Spiranthes spiralis (L.) Chevall. On the northern side of Pipley Bottom, near Upton Cheyney, close to the county boundary, SOT SR a Be Herminium monorchis (L.) R. Br. Two patches on Bathford Hill, S., Timothy Gaynor and Mrs. P. Gaynor, conf. R.G.B.R. The Musk Orchid is very rare in the Bristol district. White (Flora, p.565) refers to old records from “hill pastures near Bath’, but the only fairly recent record for this area was made by Miss A. E. White on the Combe Down side of Bath in 1938 and 1939 (Bristol Botany in 1939). Ophrys muscifera Huds. Six plants with aberrant flower structure, similar to those described in Bristol Botany in 1968 and in the same locality, Leigh Woods, Bristol, S., S. Harrcs. Scirpus cernuus Vahl. Near Portishead, near the shore path between Portishead and Clevedon, S., P..7.M.N., who notes the variable length of the bracts subtending the inflorescences, but the smooth, very fine slight netted surface of the nuts. The report of this rarity is of considerable interest in relation to a manu- script record of 1918 by Miss I. M. Roper of the var. microstachys Hook. f. (with a solitary spikelet and no long bract) from a spring-head, Charlcombe Bay. 102 A. J. WILLIS Poa nemoralis L. Grassy verge, Middle Ellick Farm, top of Burrington Combe, 'S., 7:4. Bromus ferront Mabille. In his Biological Flora account of Helianthemum apenninum (L.) Maill., in 7. Ecol., Vol. 44 (1956), Dr. M. C. F. Proctor lists Bromus cf. ferronii (Table 8, facing p. 690) from Brean Down, S. TJ. C. EF. Wells reports B. ferroni (conf. Dr. A. Melderis) from Brean Down in 1968. However, search of the small Bromes on Brean Down and at Uphill by P.7.M.N. in June 1970 showed only plants referable to B. thomini Hardouin. Dr. C. E. Hubbard reports that these plants are “not the coastal cliff-top grass (B. ferronit) of S.W. and W. England and S.W. Europe which has stiffly erect peduncles, dense rigidly erect panicles, and spikelets with longer and more shaggy, more or less appressed hairs, which are closer together’. ‘The lemmas range from 6-8 mm. long in the present plants, similar to B. ferronit (7-8 mm.), but the hairs on the lemmas are very short and stiffly spreading. Dr. Hubbard notes that the Brean Down and Uphill plants, which he places tentatively under B. nanus Weigel (B. thominit Hardouin, var.), are much alike and distinct from most other forms which he has seen. Further study of these grasses in the field and in the experimental garden is needed. Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth. In 1970, one clump, Westridge Wood, Wotton-under-Edge, G., Lady A. T. Ricketts (comm. S.C.H., reported in Vol. 21, No. 8, p. 236 of the Journal of the North Gloucestershire Naturalists’ Society). ALIENS. Erucastrum gallicum (Willd.) O.E. Schulz. One plant on railway bank, Whitby Road, Bristol, S., A.f.D. Erysimum chetranthoides L. Rownham Hill and also in field near Leigh Woods, Bristol, S., C.H.C. Sisymbrium altissimum L. Two plants, with Saponaria officinalis L., near railway on waste ground, south central part of Bristol, S., A.F.D. Chenopodium bonus-henricus L. Latcham Drove, near Wedmore, S., FA. Impatiens parviflora DC. On waste ground, Kentshire Farm, Winford, Seed: Galega officinalis L. A large clump, in 1969, naturalized on side of railway line near disused Wickwar Station, G., Mrs. D. S. Dudley-Smith and S.C.H. | BRISTOL BOTANY 103 Potentilla recta L. A single plant on rough ground above the river, Hanham, G., C. M. Hurfurt, det. and comm. P.7.M.N. Cotoneaster horizontalis Decne. Knapp Hill rocks, Wells, S., 1.F.G. Bupleurum lancifolium Hornem. Among garden weeds, Abbots Leigh, S., M.A.S., det. Dr. T. E. T. Bond. There is a manuscript record by Miss I. M. Roper for Abbots Leigh dated 1917. Euphorbia uralensis Fisch. ex Link. A number of plants on rather marshy ground between Nover’s Lane and Lanshill Avenue, south Bristol, S., A.F.D. Alnus incana (L.) Moench. By rhine, Totney Drove, near Mudgley, south of Wedmore, S., 7.A., conf. R.G.B.R. Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don. Increasing as ground cover, Cook’s Folly Wood, Avon Gorge, G., I.F.G. Veronica filiformis Sm. Large patch on cliff-top, Church Hill, Clevedon, S., 7.F.B. Melissa officinalis L. In hedge at Shoreditch, near Chew Stoke, Sia7-A. Inula helenum L. A second, fairly large patch (see Bristol Botany in 1969) in rough pasture to the south-west of Burledge Hill, near Bishop Sutton, S., E.7.L. Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth. On Leigh Court side of Paradise Bottom, Leigh Woods, S., C.H.C. Juncus tenuis Willd. Near the shore of Blagdon Lake, S., 7.A. BRYOPHYTES. Barbilophozia floerkei (Web. & Mohr) Loeske. On gritstone rocks, Wurt Pit, south of East Harptree, S., 7.A. This hepatic is very rare in North Somerset and has been recorded previously only from the peat moors where it has not been seen recently. Barbula spadicea (Mitt.) Braithw. Rocky broken ground, Durdham Down, Bristol, G., leg. D.M.S., det. F. A. Sowter, conf. 7.A. B. vinealis Brid. Rocky hollow, Durdham Down, Bristol, G., D.M.S., conf. F. A. Sowter and 7.A. Bartramia pomiformis Hedw. Wurt Pit, south of East Harptree, S., J.A. This moss is rare in North Somerset. Cratoneuron filicinum (Hedw.) Spruce var. fallax (Brid.) Roth. Downend, Bristol, G., D.M.S. 104 A. J. WILLIS I am indebted to all those who have supplied records and helped with these, especially Mrs. J. Appleyard, Miss I. F. Gravestock, Mrs. S. C. Holland, Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott, and Captain R. G. B. Roe; and to Mrs. C. H. Perry of Long Ashton Research Station for the supply of meteorological data. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT, 1971 COMPILED BY THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE OF THE B.N.S. ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION P. J. CHADWICK G. E. CLoTHIER H. H. Davis H. R. HAammacotrr G. SWEET S. M. Taytor The Year. 1971 can be summed up as a year of contrasts and of new weather records. January was the wettest since local records began, with almost twice the normal rainfall. The first few days were cold, like the last week of 1970, but then the mild weather that had characterized the previous autumn returned. No large-scale Lapwing movements were observed. A flock of 2,200 Wigeon at the New Grounds on the 6th was the only considerable count for the district in 1971. Gale force winds accompanied heavy rain, notably from the 17th—23rd. During this period, the White-fronted Goose flock at the New Grounds reached its peak of 6,o00—well short of the previous winter’s record—and at the same time substantial numbers of Bewick’s Swans moved away. Some of these may have moved to the Central Somerset levels, where numbers corres- pondingly increased; but records of colour-marked birds showed that some moved eastwards early, and had reached the R. Elbe by the end of the month—no doubt a result of the mild weather. On the 18th, eight Short-eared Owls were seen together on a stretch of the New Grounds sea wall; they stayed for over two months before gradually dispersing. Several others were seen at Chittening and Sand Bay during February, so that this was an exceptional winter for the species. February was generally dry and mild, and most of the month’s rain fell between the 12th and 16th, turning to sleet and snow on the latter date. On the 19th a Mistle Thrush was nesting at Snuff Mills, Stapleton. Reports of wintering Blackcaps included several trapped and ringed in suburban gardens. March was unsettled, with winds mostly from the east. The first week was very cold, with a little snow; the second was drier, though still rather cold. The third week was wet, with easterly gales at times, and the fourth was again cold and dry. The first summer migrant to be reported locally was a Chiffchaff at Blagdon B 106 BRSITOL BIRD REPORT reservoir on the 7th. A few others followed at reservoirs and coast between the 14th and 24th, and reports were widespread by the 31st. However, most of the first summer migrants were late; a Ring Ouzel at Sand Point on the 17th and two at Brean Down on the 28th, with two Swallows and four Sand Martins at Chew on the 31st, complete the March list. April’s weather was generally dull, dry and cool. For the first twelve days, anticyclones over Britain gave morning fog and frosts. During this period the migrant situation changed rapidly—there were over 100 Sand Martins at Chew on the 2nd, a total of 34 Ring Ouzels at Wavering Down on the 3rd, and 23 singing Willow Warblers at Chew on the 7th. The district had some of the earliest migrant falls for several species. Our first House Martin, at Chelvey on the 3rd, was among the national leaders. ‘Three Blackcaps in Bristol Forest the same day, and a Yellow Wagtail at Chew on the Ist, were the second earliest, while a Garden Warbler at Combe Dingle on the 5th, six Whitethroats at Long Ashton on the 11th and two Wood Warblers in Leigh Woods on the 13th were respectively the earliest of their species to be reported to the Editors of British Birds. From the 16th — 18th, depressions north of Scotland brought showers and $.W. winds, with which the migrants came in force. Little Gulls were unusually plentiful at this time, and the largest concentration reported nationally was at Chew Valley Lake, where 17 were seen on the 24th. From the 22nd the weather was influenced by high pressure north of Britain and ‘lows’ over central and S. Europe, giving E. and S.E. winds, which halted the northward migration. Heavy rain, turning locally to snow, fell on the 26th, to be followed by fine weather with night frosts. In May a pair of Red-crested Pochard bred at Frampton Pools, the first breeding record for Glos. or for the Bristol District. On the 14th, an Osprey at the same place afforded fine views, and on the 24th a Little Egret—one of four seen in the country—visited the Wildfowl Trust enclosures. May continued fine, except for rain from the 4th — 7th and 15th — 17th and a few cooler, wet days from the 20th. Most of June was dull and cool, with prolonged rain between the 8th and 20th. On the 6th, a Wren trapped near Wickwar proved to have been ringed in Bournemouth on Jan. 31st. Its movement of some 100 km is a considerable distance for this species. A Golden Oriole seen and heard at Chew Valley Lake on the 12th was one of a number reported in the south of England. As usual, large flocks of Swifts built up at Chew Valley Lake during the month, with an estimated 10,000 on the 5th, 5,000 on the 19th and 3,000 on the 27th. No large numbers were reported after the goth. Nationally, there were few reports of sizeable seabird BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 107 movements in June, but an exception was in the Bristol Channel, where on the 19th and 2oth considerable numbers of Manx Shearwaters were present. One small party was accompanied by a Sooty Shearwater, the second record for the district (see p. 111). July was dry, warm and sunny, with no measurable rain until the 20th. The rest of the month had rather thundery weather. A pair of Herring Gulls bred at Clevedon, a new site. Sea watches from Brean Down yielded numbers of Gannet sightings, with a maximum of a hundred or so on the 25th. Several vagrant Ardezdae species seen in the country during the month included an adult Night Heron that spent a week at the Wildfowl Trust. The first half of August was very wet and dull; a gradual improvement led to a warm and dry last week, during which the tenth White-winged Black Tern to be recorded in the district appeared at Cheddar reservoir. Earlier in the month, our first Caspian Tern was seen at the New Grounds. An Ortolan Bunting and a Bluethroat, at Brean Down and Blagdon res. respectively, were two of a group of southern vagrants seen in the country. The post-breeding gathering of Gadwall at Chew Valley Lake again reached a total of some 250 before dispersing rapidly near the end of the month. September was dry and sunny; the only unsettled period was from the 23rd — 25th. The autumn concentration of Great Crested Grebes at Chew yielded a peak count, on the gth, of 483 —a few short of 1970’s record. The same day, three White Storks were seen over Combe Down and then at Downside School, Stratton-on- Fosse, where one fell down a large chimney and was captured. It bore what proved to be a Danish ring. The other two moved on S.W., and next day reached Bude. In the next few days they were seen at Penzance, Newlyn and St. Mary’s, Scilly, and the numbers on the rings which they too carried were read by telescope. Later in the month, one bird was found ‘in a bad condition’ in Madeira. All three had fledged from a nest in N. Jutland, Denmark, on Sept. 6. The full story, including the remarkable history of the parents birds, is told in British Birds, 65, pp. 4-5 (January 1972) to which we are indebted for most of the above details. An Aquatic Warbler at Sand Bay for several days, with a second on one day, provided our sixth record. On the 26th, a Red-necked Grebe appeared at Frampton Pools, a Black-necked or Slavonian Grebe at Chew, and an Avocet at St. George’s Wharf. The next day a Long-tailed Skua was seen off Brean Down. October was the sunniest for fifty years, despite a wet spell from the 12th — roth, with over two inches of rain on the latter date, and some local flooding. The generally dry autumn, however, resulted in low water levels at Cheddar reservoir, with the exposure of large 108 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT areas of mud. Up to sixteen Herons were seen feeding together, and Snipe built up to some 150 birds. A Pectoral Sandpiper present for a week from the 16th was one of some forty in the country, little more than half the 1970 total. Other transatlantic arrivals were also scarcer than usual. The autumn Black Tern passage was not large, but was prolonged into November. November was the sunniest since Long Ashton records started in 1920, although after a first mild week it was cooler than normal, with the winter’s first hard frosts. On the 19th, an immature Night Heron was found in the Severnside Works of I.C.I. Ltd. Having been cared for in the meantime, it was released at Chew on the 28th, and from then to Dec. 19 it was viewed from comparatively close quarters by large numbers of visitors. A House Martin at Long Ashton on Nov. 4th and Yellow Wagtails to the 7th, were among summer migrants lingering in the mild autumn. A Curlew Sand- piper was seen at Sand Bay on the late date of Nov. 23, and five Little Stints at Cheddar on the 19th were the largest number reported locally during the year. There were exceptional numbers of Eiders off the coast of the district in 197I—one was seen in June and three in October, and between fourteen and twenty were present by the end of November. This compares with only nine previous coastal records—single birds in 1902, 1954, 1955 and 1963, three in 1966 and two in 1969. These past small numbers are surprising since the species has wintered off the Gower Peninsula, Glamorgan, since at least 1900, increasing since the Great War until by 1950 birds were present throughout the year (though not breeding), with maxima of well over fifty in recent years. December was dry until the 18th, but very dull, with only 71% of the normal sunshine hours, though temperatures were above normal. Few large flocks of Fieldfares, and even fewer Redwings, were reported. Siskins were widespread, in some numbers. A German-ringed bird was trapped at Barrow Reservoirs on Christ- mas Eve. Rarities. Besides those already mentioned, attention should be drawn to the Lesser White-fronted Goose and the Great Grey Shrike first reported in 1970; and to a Crane in March, a Ring- necked Duck in April, a second Bluethroat, in October; and a Richard’s Pipit in Nov. 1970. A warbler seen at St. George’s Wharf on Sept. 19 (Rs) appeared to be either an Arctic or a Greenish Warbler (the British Birds Rarities Committee considered the evidence inconclusive). Certain other records of rarities, which have reached us at second BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 109 or third hand, unaccompanied by any details, have been omitted from the systematic list for that reason. ‘They include a Rough- legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus at Litton on Sept. 17, a Goshawk Accipiter gentilis near Yate on Aug. 30 (this species is known to be flown by falconers in the district and nearby), a second Hen Harrier (a male) at Stoke Park, Bristol on Sept. 24 and a second Osprey at Chew Valley Lake on Sept. 6. Escapes. Sightings of escaped birds have included a Chilean Flamingo at Cheddar reservoir on Jan. 2 (sBE), a Black-headed Weaver at Sand Point in June (RA), a N. American Wood Duck at Chew from June to August, several Budgerigars in July and August and a Pelican on Sept. 9 (this is presumed to be an escaped bird; curiously, it arrived on the same day as the Danish White Storks). It was reported from Chew Valley Lake and also from Burnham- on-sea, outside our area, and was reported variously as White and Dalmatian. A pelican had been seen over Bucks. on the 6th, and a White Pelican was seen later in the month in Devon and then in Hants. Habitat Changes. The most important change during the year was the commencement of work on the West Dock scheme, which is involving the construction of a modern dock on the site of St. George’s Wharf. Well over a hundred species of bird have been recorded from the Wharf area in the past three years, although only a small proportion of these breed there. It will be interesting to see which species forsake the area, and whether any new ones will arrive, when the work is complete; however, it is with regret that we see this familiar area being so drastically modified. Contributors: —L. P. Alder, R. Angles, R. Arbery (RAr), A. J. B. Astridge, C. R. Bagshaw, D. K. Ballance, J. Barber, Bath Natural History Society, R. D. Bell, W. G. Bigger, A. E. Billett, R. K. Bircher, R. L. Bland, T. Bomford, G. A. Bridge, Miss M. E. Bridge, G. B. Brown, D. Buffery, J. G. Bundy, P. F. Burns, J. F. Burton, M. J. Bywater, R. H. Casson, P. J. Chadwick, R. N. Chadwick, B. T. Chambers, S. E. Chapman, W. B. Charlesworth, T. R. Cleeves, G. E. Clothier, N. J. Collar, J. K. Comrie, R. M. Curber, P. Curry, D. C. S. Davies, C. C. Davis, H. H. Davis, P. J. Dolton, W. H. Donkin, M. J. D’Oyley, P. Duddridge, Dursley Birdwatching and Preservation Society (D), S. B. Edwards, T. D. Evans, P. G. Farmer, Field Club, Bristol Grammar School (F), A. J. Floyd, G. A. Forrest, K. L. Fox, K. A. Franey, Miss R. Freeman, P. L. Garvey, W. Gouge, J. R. Govett, Miss C. Graham, Miss V. Graham, Miss I. F. Gravestock, D. G. Haddy, Miss T. M. Hamand, H. R. Hammacott, M. J. Hannagan, K. G. Harris, S. P. Harris, H. G. Hockey, Mrs. I. M. Hockey, W. J. Holbrook, S. R. Howe, D. Hughes, Mrs. J. Humphris, J. R. Hunter, E. E. Jackson, J. Jarrett, C. Jordan, B. King, B. L. Kington, Mrs. M. C. Knight, C. Lachlan, N. T. Lacy, S. Lamb, H. R. H. Lance, P. G. Lansdown, T. Lawrence, Miss E. J. Lenton, B. J. Madders, D. V. Mardle, J. V. Miller, J. A. McGeoch, N. A. McLeod, M. R. Moody, H. W. Neal, A. N. Newrick, R. Ogborne, M. A. Ogilvie, B. A. 110 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Owen. A. J. Parsons, C. A. Partridge, R. C. Pople, D. Poole, R. H. Poulding, B. A. Potter, A. B. Price, J. G. Prince, B. Rabbitts, A. P. Radford, Miss B. A. Rake, M. J. F. Renby, N. Riddiford, W. L. Roseveare, J. F. Rowe, M. Sainsbury, J. D. Sanders, J. Secrett, C. Selway, P. Selland, R. Shepard, Mrs. M. A. Silcocks, T. B. Silcocks, G. A. Smith, Mrs. H. Spurling, K. T. Standring, Mrs. Stokes, G. Sweet, R. Symes, G. P. Taylor, J. P. Taylor, Mrs. M. V. Taylor, S. M. Taylor, R. G. Thomas, R. B. Tunstall, W. Upton, J. D. R. Vernon, K. E. Vinicombe, G. Walker, P. Walker, G. Wall, D. Warden, Wildfowl Trust (WT), M. A. Wilson, Mrs. G. A. Winn, G. Youdale. Headings G. and S. refer to South Glos. and North Somerset, and cover the areas defined in Proc. B.N.S., 1971, pages 26 and 45. RED-THROATED DIvER Gavia stellata S. Two flying up-channel, Brean Down, May 15 and a ‘prob- able’ on 18th (BR). GREAT CRESTED GREBE_ Podiceps cristatus S. Winter population at reservoirs, end—1970, held until March with rise at Cheddar to 75 (85+, Apr. 11) offsetting fall at Chew Valley. Bred on all major waters (possibly fewer pairs than usual at Chew Valley) except Emborough Pond, where nest abandoned after erection of hide and subsequent disturbance (sBE, JH et al.). Several counts of over 400, Chew Valley, Aug.—Oct. (Pjc, RGT ef al.) with max. 483, Sept. 9 (RMC). RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps griseigena G. One, Frampton Pools, Sept. 26 (Dv). SLAVONIAN GREBE_ Podiceps auritus S. One, Cheddar res., Oct. 30-Nov. 7 (GBB, JAMCG, BR) and one, Chew Valley res., Dec. 11-31 (RA, Pjc, RGT eft al.). BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis S. One, either this species or auritus, Chew Valley res., Sept. 26; one definite record, Blagdon res., Oct. 3 (Pjc). LirTLE GrEBE Podiceps ruficollis S. At least twelve pairs bred, Chew Valley res.; no other breeding records received. STORM PetrReEL Hydrobates pelagicus S. Two or three off Brean Down, moving towards Steep Holm, Apr. 24 (BR). Manx SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus S. Noted regularly in channel, Apr. to mid-Aug., with largest movements of 202, Brean Down, June 19 and 225 on 2oth; 194 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 111 there, Aug. 1 and 106 off Sand Point, same day. Approx. 120 off Brean Down, Aug. 6, and 41 on 7th; 60 off Sand Point on 1oth (RA, TB, BR). Sooty SHEARWATER Procellaria grisea S. One flying upstream off Brean Down, June 19 with party of ten Manx Shearwaters. An all-brown bird, with typical shearwater flight, larger-bodied and longer-winged than Manx (RA). (A previous sighting, off Sand Point, Sept. 17, 1962 (Njc) was considered at that time to be a highly probable record of this species, but not 100% conclusive. ‘The details have been re-assessed, and the B.N.S. and Somerset Editorial Committees have inde- pendently agreed that the record should be accepted. It becomes the first for the County, with the 1971 record as the second). FuLMAR Fulmarius glacialis S. Noted on 18 dates off Brean Down, April 16—Aug. 7; possibly same birds on many occasions, but 9 together, June 12 and sightings of 6, 7 and 8, same day (RA, BR). Up to three, Sand Point, six dates, June 19 — Nov. 21 (RA, TB). GaANNET Sula bassana G. One flying inland to E., Frampton on Severn, Oct. 20 (GBB). One dead, Chittening, Nov. 4/5 (TDE, NTL). S. Weston — Sand Bay area: one or two, May 6 — June 19 then up to eight to July 21; 100 on 25th and 28+ on 26th; 24, Aug. 1 and 37 on 6th, 16 on 8th, seven on 15th then up to three, Sept.—Oct. and one on Nov. Io (RA, TB, BR). CorMoRANT Phalacrocorax carbo Regularly observed moving from Steep Holm breeding colony to feed at reservoirs, where max. counts of 19, Cheddar, Dec. 12 and up to 39 (roosting), Chew Valley, Jan. — Mar. and 47, Dec. 26. Smaller numbers at other waters and along coast as far as Frampton, where max. of nine seen in autumn. SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis S. One, Sand Point, Aug. 12; two, Cheddar, Aug. 17-Sept. 3 and one on 30th; one to N.E., Brean Down, Sept. 25 (RA, RMC ef al.). HERON Ardea cinerea Reduction in breeding population from 89 or g1 nests in 1970 (not 80 quoted in 1970 Report) to 78 or 79 nests. Usual reports from coast, moors, rivers (with 18, Keynsham, July 11) and reservoirs— up to 20, Chew Valley, several dates, and up to 16, Cheddar, when water level fell in November. Cross-channel movements noted from Brean Down, May and July. 112 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT LirtLE Ecret EL eretta garzetta G. Adult, perched and preening in Willow tree, W.T. enclosures, May 24; also seen in flight (LpA). Details include pure white plumage with long drooping crest plumes, long slender black bill and black legs with yellowish feet. NicHt Heron’ WN)ycticorax nycticorax G. Adult or sub-adult, W.T. enclosures, July 4—11 (LPA, PLG, EEJ et al.), observed down to 10-15 yards. Diagnostic points: dull blackish crown and back, grey wings and tail (upper and lower surfaces) ; whitish breast and belly; short blackish bill; red eyes; in flight, squat compact neckless ‘oval’ shape, broad rounded wings, legs scarcely visible beyond tail; distinctly ‘corvine-like’ single loud barking call note, ‘kwuk’. Immature found in I.C.I. Severnside Works, Nov. 19, cared for by JTE; ringed and released at Chew Valley res. on 28th; last seen, Dec. 19. Records, second and third for area, accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. (Cf. Proc? B.N.S.; 1950, ps 163). BITTERN SBotaurus stellaris GG: One in W..T: "enclosures? Jan. 26 (s)r S. One, Chew Valley res., Feb._Mar. (two, Mar. 7) and Nov.-— Dec. (Pjc; RMc etal.) WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia See page 107 S. Three juvs. of Danish origin, Gombe Down and Stratton-on- Fosse, Sept. 9. One caught and taken to Rode Bird Gardens (per RMC). MauiarD- Anas platyrhynchos Counts suggest total of c. 1,700 in area during January, falling to c. 1,200 by mid-February. Very large total of 2,060, New Grounds, Sept. 14 but N. Somerset peak not reached until Nov.—Dec., when some 2,500 reported. Breeding records include clutch in old Crow’s nest, 25 ft. above ground. TEAL Anas crecca Total of c. 650 in area, mid-January, falling to 200 by mid-March and only odd birds present, May — July. Autumn—steady increase at New Grounds from 125, Aug. 23 to 450, Sept. 14 and 660 on 28th; less than 250 in N. Somerset, latter date, but c. 500, Chew Valley res., by Oct. 10; large numbers, Cheddar res., Oct.—Dec. (due to. low water levels), with 300, Oct. 30; 520, Nov. 13; 1,090 On-Zist and 712. Dec. i): GARGANEY Anas querquedula G. Two males, New Grounds, Mar. 14 and one, Apr. 24; three (2 gS) Frampton Pools, Mar. 28 and a male on 3oth. Six, New Grounds, Aug. 21 and four on 22nd. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 113 S. Male, Chew Valley res., Apr. 24. Autumn records from Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Aug.—Sept. (last seen, six, Sept. 26). GADWALL_ Anas Strepera G. Bred, Frampton Pools (3rd record). New Grounds total, 152, Sept. 24 and 226, Nov. 25. S. Only a few over-wintering, resrs.; influx end Feb., mainly at Chew Valley res., where 50 on 24th and 65, Mar. 14; much smaller numbers elsewhere. Bred, Chew Valley, where usual post-breeding @atmering: 157, Aug. 7; c. 250 on 26th but only 40, mid-Sept.; c. 30 in Oct. and up to 20, Nov.—Dec. Increase, Cheddar res., early Sept. to 30 by roth, 45 on 30th, 65 on Oct. 2ist then between 16-30 in Nov. (but 51 on 26th) and up to 20, December. PINTAIL Anas acuta G. New Grounds: 500, Jan. 28; 46, Oct. 22; 66 on 28th; 64, Nov. 4 and 129 on 18th; ¢. 100, Nov. 25, Dec. 2 and aist. 5. Only a few present. Largest numbers: 20, Chew Valley res., Oct. 10; 23, Cheddar res., Dec. 6; 31 on 11th and 30 on 12th. SHOVELER Spfatula clypeata G. Max. counts: 20 (+), Frampton Pools, Jan. 3, and 18, Oct. 2; 250, W.T. enclosures in Jan.; 114, Oct. 28; 76, Nov. 14; 134 on eth, saad yo,-Dec. 2. S. Cheddar res.: 48, Jan. 2 and 54 on 16th; 70, Oct. 30 but only 20, Nov. 13. Blagdon res.: party of 250, Feb. 28; 75, Mar. 7 and 40-50, Oct._Nov. Bred, Chew Valley res., where up to 45 ads. in Jan., 70 in Feb., 106 in March; large influx, late Aug.—213 on 27th; 312, Oct. 10 and up to 325 in November—December. RED-CRESTED PocHAaRD Netta rufina G. Frampton Pools: three, Jan. 10 (GBB); pair bred—ad. with juv., May 15 (TpE)—the first breeding record for the County and the Bristol area; three, Aug. 28; five, Oct. 2 and one, Nov. 14, 20 (MCK, BAO ¢é al.). Female, Littleton Pits, Apr. 4 (JDRV). S. Two (29 or immatures), Chew Valley res., Aug. 27 (Pjc). Scaup Aythya marila G. Seven, Frampton Pools, March 25 (cy). S. Male, Cheddar res., Jan. 3 — Mar. 13 and Oct. 31 to end year. Single birds, Blagdon res., Feb. 14, Mar. 14 and Chew Valley res., Mar. 20 — Apr. 25. Flock of 8 (4 $3) off Brean Down, Nov. 14, 17 (GBB, RMG, BR ef al.). Turtep Duck Aythya fuligula Some 650 in area, mid-Jan., rising to 750, mid-Feb. but 600, mid-March. Bred, Frampton Pools (3 broods), Blagdon res. (1 114 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT brood) and Chew Valley res. (at least 38 broods). Up to 400, Chew Valley, Aug.; 530, Blagdon, Aug. 22—possibly birds from Chew. Approx. 800 in area, mid-Nov., and c. 1,000 in December. PocHARD Aythya ferina Another poor year. Area total (750, end—1970) was c. 875 in Jan. but only half as many in February. Female with two imms., Frampton Pools, June 19—first breeding record for Glos.; two broods, Chew Valley Lake. Autumn influx first noted, as usual, at Cheddar res.—33, Aug. 27; 95, Sept. 3; 210 on 10th and 512 on 16th; later counts reflect yachting activities. Area total c. 650, mid- Nov. and 800 in December. One ringed as nestling nr. Zandvoort, Holland, shot, Brean Down, 2nd Jan. 1969. RING-NECKED Duck A)pthya collaris S. Adult male, Blagdon res., Apr. 4-24 and Chew Valley res., May 2 (SBE, RMC, WU, KEV é al.). Brit. Birds Rarities Committee, in accepting record, comment on high risk of escape with this species. Second record for area—cf. Proc. B.N.S., 1955, p.144. GOoLDENEYE Bucephala clangula G. Frampton Pools: up to three, Jan. to March, and five (2 3@) in early April; single birds, Oct. 29 to end of year (two, Nov. 14). S. Present till Apr. 10, with max. resr. counts of 13, Cheddar, Feb. 20; 45, Chew Valley, Mar. 4; and 23, Blagdon, Mar. 14. Winter immigrants from Oct. 10 with up to 14, Chew Valley; 13, Blagdon and 12, Cheddar, but area total probably not over 30. Common ScoTerR Melanitia nigra G. Male, Frampton Pools, Mar. 2 and female on river, Sept. 20 (LPA). S. Frequently seen off Brean Down, Mar. 21 to July 4, with max. of seven, Mar. 21, Apr. 6 (BR ¢ al.); party of 11 to Ne Noy. 2% (GBB). Female, Cheddar res., Aug. 28—-Sept. 2 (Pjc ef al.). E1DER Somateria mollissima See page 108. S. Male off Steep Holm, June 27 (BR). Two off Sand Point, Oct. 16-20, and three, Oct. 26—-Nov. 14 (TB, RNC et al.); 14, Nov. 21 increasing to 19 by end of year (RA, RMc et al.). Four (one 4) off Clevedon, Nov. 16 (wsc) and two off Brean Down on 17th (BR). RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator G. Female or immature, Frampton Pools, Nov. 14 (NR). S. Two males to S., Brean Down, on late date of May 17 (BR). Pair, Chew Valley res., Nov. 6 (sBE) and single female or immature bird there, Nov. 21—Dec. 12 (RA, Pjc). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 115 GoosANDER Mergus merganser G. Single bird, Frampton Pools, Nov. 28—Dec. 18. S. Upto 11, Chew Valley res., Jan.Feb., but 14, Feb. 21, and 13 to mid-March; reduced to six by early April, and one on 18th. Autumn records there from Nov. 13, with 15 present, end month, and 21, Dec. 12 to end year. Few records from Blagdon res.—one, Jan. 17, two or three, mid-March and three, Nov. 14; probably birds from Chew Valley, accounting for fluctuations in totals reported. Two, Cheddar res., Nov. 17. : SMEw Mergus albellus S. Male, Chew Valley res., Jan. 5-21, with two females on oth; two males, 22nd to Feb. 7, then only one to Mar. 20, second having moved to Blagdon. Single females, Cheddar, Dec. 12; Chew Valley, 18th—28th; and Blagdon on roth. NortH AMERICAN Ruppy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis G. Pair with six ducklings, Frampton Pools, July 17; up to seven birds there, October (TDE). S. Up to 46, Chew Valley res., and up to 15, Blagdon res., Jan.— Mar., but total probably not exceeding 55. After successful breeding, Chew Valley (2 pairs), numbers again increased, reaching approx. 25 in mid-December (10, Blagdon and 15, Chew, Dec. 5). SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Breeding season survey showed population, June 14-21, of c. 180 ads. and 45 pulli, New Grounds—R. Avon (mostly in New Grounds area) and c. 254 ads. and 94 pulli, R. Avon—Birnbeck I.; at least 16 pulli appeared later in latter stretch. Two-three pairs, Chew Valley res., May, but no proof of breeding. WHITE-FRONTED Goose Anser albifrons G. New Grounds: final 1970 total of 3,650 rose to 5,500 by Jan. 10 and 6,000 on 18th to 22nd but fell to 4,800 by Feb. 18, with gradual decline to 1,320 on Mar. g and 400 on 11th; last seen (two) on 12th. Autumn arrivals—ten, Oct. 5, increasing to 94, Nov. 11, and 400 on 26th; 700, Dec. 1; 1,210 on 16th and 1,810 on 3oth; only 10:2% juvs., indicating a poor breeding season (wT). Flock of 30 seen and five or six flocks heard in fog near Severn Beach, Jan. 3. Some 200 over Redland, Bristol, 7 p.m., Mar. 9 (jrr). Very small numbers noted, Littleton on Severn and Northwick Oaze in December. S. Records, mostly from coastal areas, include: eleven, St. George’s Wharf, Jan. 1 and six on 3rd; 25 over Clevedon, Jan. 4; seven, Sand Bay, Jan. 4, 30 on 12th and 16 on 24th; two there, Feb. 2 and eleven, Dec. 30; four over Abbot’s Leigh, Feb. 27. 116 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Reservoirs: 46 over Cheddar, Jan. 2 and seven, Chew Valley, Dec 23: LrEssER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser erythropus G. Adult bird, first noticed with albifrons, New Grounds, mid Dec. 1970, stayed to Feb. 18 or later (wr). BEAN Goose Anser fabalis G. One of the Russian race, A. f. rossicus, New Grounds, Jan. 10- Feb. 18, and one, A. f. fabalis, Oct. 8—end year (GBB, WT). PINK-FOOTED GoosE Anser brachyrhynchus G. Eight or nine, New Grounds, Jan. 10-23; one still there, Feb. 3, being last seen on 24th (LPA, WT). DARK-BREASTED BRENT GOoosE Branta b. bernicla G. One on estuary, Chittening, Oct. 27 (RA). A juv., with White- fronts, New Grounds, Dec. 2 to end year (GBB, wr). Two on estuary, Aust, Dec. 26 (NTL). BARNACLE GoosE Branta leucopsis G. Up to five, with Whitefronts, New Grounds, Jan. 4—Feb. 8; single bird only, Feb. 9 and 22nd (wr). CANADA GoosE Branta canadensis G. Thirteen pairs bred, Frampton Pools. Some control (egg, gosling and adult removal) exercised at owner’s request (MAO). S. Party of three, Chew Valley res., July 25 to end year. WHOOPER SWAN C'ygnus cygnus G. Pair in Wildfowl ‘Trust enclosures from Dec. 22, 1970 to Jan. 19; same pair present, Dec. 29-31 (wT). BEWICK’s SWAN Cygnus columbianus See page 105 G. New Grounds: 350, Jan. 1; 402 on 7th and 412—a new daily record—on gth; 411 on 16th, then unusually early departure in mild wet weather over next 12 days, to 243, Jan. 29; 243, Feb. 7; 47 on 14th; 25 on 2ist; 27, Mar. 9; 11 on 1oth and eight on 17th- 22nd; total of 626 individuals recorded during season (18% cygnets). Autumn arrivals at W.T. from Oct. 25 (five), rising daily to 61 on 28th; 63, Nov. 9; 159 by 13th; further influx on 2oth to 189 with steady increase thereafter to 297 on 31st; 362 different birds present in period, but only 35 juvs. (wr). Three, Chittening, Jan. 3 and seven, Severn Beach, Mar. 7 (NTL). Three, Frampton shore, on late date of Apr. 25 (BAO). Eight, Frampton Pools, Nov. 20 (GBB) and four, Dec. 12 (BJM); eight in cereal field, Aust, Dec. 12 (jDRV). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 117 S. January total at Chew Valley and Blagdon resrs. much larger than usual: 100-130, about 75% at latter. Autumn arrivals from Oct. 30—four, Cheddar and 11, Chew Valley; majority of records from these two resrs.—up to four, Cheddar to Nov. 26; 19 on 27/28th and max. of 28, Dec. 8; 15 by Dec. 12 and nine on 26th; Chew Valley totals of 15, Nov. 7; 25 on 12th and 13th, and 43 on ast (24 to S.W., Brean Down, same day); 12, Nov. 27, and four, Dec. 5 (AEB, WGB, KAF, HWN éf al.). Six, Sand Point, Nov. 9 (TB); three to W., Abbots Leigh, Nov. 28 (Ts); eight off Brean Down, Dec. 24 (BR) and seven, Blagdon, Dec. 29 (ccp). BuzzARpD_ Buteo buteo G. Reported during breeding season from Cromhall—three, May 1 (jH). Autumn and winter records from Severn Beach, Patchway, Stoke Park (Bristol), Almondsbury, Michaelwood, the southern Cotswolds and Frocester. S. Two pairs bred successfully, Mendip localities (pw). Other breeding season reports from Mendip, Sand Point, Congresbury, Backwell, Flax Bourton, Portishead, Failand, Abbots Leigh, Marks- bury, North Stoke and Langridge nr. Bath. Recorded in autumn and winter from Mendip, Weston Wood, resrs., Mells, Nailsea and Kenn Moors, Walton-in-Gordano and St. George’s Wharf where one was seen with Hobby, Sept. 12 (was). SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus G. Breeding season reports from Chittening, Aust, Marshfield, Inglestone Common and Frampton Pools. Pair bred, Hallen (NTL). S. Bred, Blagdon res., Litton and Failand (pjc, pw). Records from many localities including Bristol and outskirts, Apr.—July. One chasing kingfisher, Chew Valley res., Nov. 7 (SBE). Honey Buzzarp_ Pernis apivorus S. The Somerset Bird Report for 1970 has a report, with full details, of one over Chew Valley res., May 22, 1970, seen by J. G. Hole—this is the first record for the County since 1917. MarsH HArRIER Circus aeruginosus G. One, New Grounds, flying S., Oct. 23 (PLG). S. One, Brean Down, May 15 (BR). HEN Harrier Circus cyaneus See page 109 S. Female or imm., Sand Bay, Mar. 4 (TB). Osprey Pandion haliaetus See page 109 G. One, adult, Frampton Pools, May 14 (MAO, MjD’o). Seen on wing and perched at 30 yds. range, close enough ‘to see 118 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT fierce yellow eyes’. Absence of pale edgings to dark brown wings and upperparts noted. It gave 5 or 6 whistling calls on taking flight. Hossy Falco subbuteo G. Single birds, Cromhall, May 8 (ju); Severn Bridge, May 16 (PGL); Frampton Pools, June 5 (and two there, Aug. 21, Sept. 26) (RKB, RHC, TDE ¢¢ al.) ; and New Grounds, Sept. 6-8 and 2oth (PA). S. Single birds, Kewstoke, May 31 (TB); Middle Hope, June 13 (RA); Sand Point, July 14 (RA); Chew Valley res. and neighbour- hood, various dates, July, Aug. and Sept. (GBB, wGB, Dw é¢ al.); Litton, Sept. 26 (pw); nr. Keynsham, June and July (RMc, BK, WU); Congresbury, Aug. 16 (wyH); and one, St. George’s Wharf, various dates, June 24—Sept. 12—seen taking sparrows from Avonmouth Docks, Aug. 31 (WJH, TBS). PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus G. New Grounds: female, Jan.Apr. 11 (LPA, GBB ¢é al.) and Sept. 5 to end year (LPpA, PLG). Female, mobbed by Yellow Wag- tails, New Passage, Sept. 1 (NTL), and one, same place, Dec. 4. S. Imm. 3, Weston Bay, Feb. 20 (ra). Single birds: Sand Bay, Feb. 23 (TB); Brean Down, Mar. 20, Apr. 10, Nov. 28 (RA, TB, BR); Sand Point, May 4, Nov. 21 (RA, TB); Steep Holm, Oct. 5 and oth (MJB, CL, RHP); Chew Valley res., Nov. 3 and St. George’s Wharf, Nov. 21 (WGB). Merun- Falco columbarius G. Single birds: 3, Frampton Pools, Jan. 31 (RKB); Acton Turville, Mar. 21 (DcsD, KGH); 9, New Grounds, Oct. 26 (LPA). S. Single birds: g, Sand Point, Jan. 3, Mar. 3, Dec. 9 (TB); Sand Bay, Jan. 15 (TB); St. George’s Wharf, Feb. 7 (wes); 3, Blagdon res., Feb. 27 (kts); 9, Portbury, Aug. 22; 9, Brean Down, Sept. 3 (BR); Abbots Leigh, Sept. 29 (TBs); Yeo Estuary, Oct. 15 (TB); Woodspring Bay, Nov. 6 (TB); 9, Winford, Nov. 28 (pp); $, nr. Bathampton, Dec. 11 (Gs). KeEstTrREL Falco tinnunculus G. Breeding reported from Chittening, Tockington, and Marsh- field (pjc, DH, JFR). Four together, Cromhall, July 11 (jx). S. Bred, Whitchurch—5 young reared—and Queen Charlton where three young reared from four eggs in old nest site (PGF). Breeding behaviour or juvs. seen later in summer at Crook Peak, Winscombe Hill, Cheddar res., Bradley Cross nr. Cheddar, White Hill, Charterhouse, Bishop’s Sutton, Marksbury, Chelvey, Kenn Moor, Nailsea Moor, Backwell, Bower Ashton, St. George’s Wharf, Saltford and Kelston nr. Bath. Single birds seen, all months, at both Ashton and Flax Bourton ends of Long Ashton Bypass (MjH). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 119 RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa G. Pair, Kingscote, Apr. 28 (EMA, WMC). S. One, Brean Down, Apr. 16 (RA, BR). Brood of at least six, Queen Charlton, July 13 (pcr). Probably bred, Sand Point. PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix G. Breeding season reports from Mangotsfield, Marshfield, Crom- hall and New Grounds. Four, Woolaston, Oct. 28 (jpRV). S. Covies of ten, Nailsea, Jan. 18 and six, Dec. 22 (HRH); and nine (7 juvs.), St. George’s Wharf, Sept. 4 (wes). Up to 15, Newton St. Loe, Nov. 13; 27, Kingston Seymour, Sept. 16 (wBc). Breeding season reports from six other localities. Nine infertile eggs in clutch of 14, Nailsea, July 20 (HRH). QuaiL Coturnix coturnix G. Three or four, Marshfield, June 13, July 20 (PLG, PGL). S. One, Queen Charlton, June 30 (PGF). CRANE, Grus grus S. One flying N. along coast, Clevedon, Mar. 31 (HRHL). Record accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. WatTER Rait Rallus aquaticus G. One or two, New Grounds and Frampton Pools, Oct. and Nov.; one, Northwick Oaze, Dec. 11 (NTL, NR). S. Breeding season records from Chew Valley res.; a juv. ringed, Blagdon res., late Aug. (pyc). Winter records include one, Kennet & Avon Canal, and a storm-driven bird at Whitchurch, Dec. 19. SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana S. One, Chew Valley res., Sept. 4-13 and Oct. 3, seen to be carry- ing a ring above the tarsal joint (Pjc, RMC, WJH). Coot Fulica atra S. Max. counts, Cheddar res., c. 1,900, late Jan.—early Feb. and 1,800, early December (pPjc, BR). OyYsTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus G. Up to three, New Grounds, Jan.—June 7 (six, May 30) and July 20-Aug. 23. Single birds, Chittening, May 29, July 22 and Aug. 23, with six there, Aug. 15. S. Noted, coast, Jan.Mar. 27 and Aug. 14—Dec.; max. counts fam, Feb., Nov., Dec.) six, Clevedon, 25, Sand Bay and 170, Axe Estuary area. Reservoirs: two, Chew Valley, Mar. 28; one or two, there and Cheddar, late July to mid August. 120 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Lapwinc Vanellus vanellus G. Largest flocks: c. 2,000, New Grounds, June 30 to end Aug. (building up from 52, June 4) (LPA); 790, Sheperdine, Feb. 6 (JDRV); up to 350, Chittening—New Passage, July, August. S. Breeding proved, St. George’s Wharf, Nailsea Moor, Clevedon coast and West Harptree. First post-breeding flocks: 100, Clevedon shore, June 12 (jrB) and 500, Nailsea Moor, 15th (smT). Passage to S. over Cheddar res., Sept. 1—over 1,000 in 1 hr. (sBE). Largest flocks Axe Estuary, where 1,200,. Jan. 23 and 1,600, Nov. 6 and 2;300,' Dec. 25 (RA). RiNGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Fewer on passage than in last two years. Reservoirs: single birds, Chew Valley, Feb., and Cheddar, Apr., Aug.; up to three, Blagdon, up to nine, Cheddar and up to 18, Chew Valley, Sept.-November. Coast: 115 records (67 in G.), all months. Monthly peak counts in main areas: (A) New Grounds; (B) Severn Beach— Chittening; (C) St. George’s Wharf; (D) Clevedon—R. Yeo; (E) Sand Bay; (F) Weston Bay-R. Axe. (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) Jan. 41 28 3 30 Feb. 75 13 March 50 18 April 3 40 May 104 400 I 8 June 75 150 54 45 July 8 35 Aug. 500 750 71 400 163 Sept. 320 4.00 51 Oct. 6 200 Nov. 100 43 Dec. 100 LirtLteE Rincep PLOVER Charadrius dubius G. Single birds, New Grounds and Frampton Pools, Apr. 11- May 22 and July 26-Aug. 24 (Lpa, jos). One, Severn Beach, July 24 (cj) and one, immature, same place, Sept. 26 (Dv). S. One, Cheddar res., Apr. 16 (BR); two, Chew Valley res., on 18th and one, May 25 (NTL). KentisH PLovER Charadrius alexandrinus G. One, New Grounds, Apr. 27 (LPA). GREY PLOVER Charadrius squatarola G. Markedly fewer than in 1970. Eight coastal records of up to three birds, Jan._May 25 and sixteen of up to five, Aug. 19- Dec., but 9+, New Grounds, Oct. 9 (TDE). S. Up to five, coast, Jan—May 22 (11 records) and Aug. 18— Nov. (7 records). One, Chew Valley res., Sept. 9 (KEV). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 121 GoLDEN PLOVER Charadrius apricarius G. Up to four, New Grounds, Feb. 17-May 23 and July 22- Nov. 6; one, New Passage, Oct. 2; 35-40, ‘Tormarton, Dec. 5. S. 28 records. Only counts over ten birds were: 86, Clevedon— R. Yeo, Jan 21; 25 there, Feb. 14; up to 40, Chew Valley res., end jan.; 21 there, Nov. 7 and up to 110, late Dec.; 130, Axe Estuary, Sept. 7 and 200-250, Nov., and Dec. 6 to end year. TTURNSTONE Arenaria interpres G. Chittening—Severn Beach: up to 150, Jan.—Apr. 23; 75, early May, then max. of ten until 80, July 28; up to 250, Aug.—Dec., but max. 400, October. Elsewhere on coast, up to 12, May and late July—Oct., but 32, Sheperdine, Oct. 23. S. Up to four, coast, all months, with up to 12, Clevedon, Feb. and Oct., and 30, March. Reservoirs: one or two, Chew Valley, Apr. 18 and early Sept., and Cheddar, May and Aug. 29. Common SNIPE Gallinago gallinago G. Eleven records, mostly from Frampton Pools, where 32, Feb. 2 and up to 20, Aug.—October. S. Records (69) from coast, moors and reservoirs, Jan. 1-May 12 and Aug.—Dec., with max. counts of up to 50, Kenn Moor, Jan., and 200, Nov.; up to 120, Axe Estuary, Jan., and 40, Feb.; 75, Clevedon coast, Feb.; 60—70, Nailsea Moor, Aug.; 60, Chew Valley res., Sept., and 40, Dec.; numbers built up at Cheddar res. from ten, late Sept. to 150, late Oct.—Dec., as falling water level exposed mud. Jack SnrirE Lymnocryptes minimus G. Single birds,Sharpness, Jan 17; Chittening, Jan. 17, Mar. 14; Frampton Pools, Mar. 14 (and two, Oct. 29); Yate Rocks, Aug. 30. S. Records (18), Jan.—Apr. 25 and Sept. 11—Dec., mostly of single birds; but two, Axe Estuary, Feb. 10 and Chew Valley res., Sept. 11 and three, Weston-s-Mare Airport, Dec. 31. Woopcock § Scolopax rusticola Twelve reports of single birds, Jan.—Mar. and Oct.—Dec., from: G.—Luckington, Patchway and Hallen-Compton Greenfield area, where NTL flushed five single birds from woodland, Dec. 13; and S.—Chew Valley res., Sand Bay, Ashton Hill Plantation and Bristol Forest. CurLEw Numenius arquata Present all months. Peak counts: G@.—200-300, New Grounds, Jan., Mar., July-Sept. with 580, Feb. (LPA, PLG); 150, Chittening, Feb., Aug.—Oct., with 250, July (NTL); 250, Littleton—Aust, Dec. 122 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT (where not normally seen in large numbers) (jprRv); S.—Axe Estuary and Brean Down: 500, Jan. (RA) and 250, Dec. (Rop); Sand Bay: 100-110, Aug. and 220, Oct. (RA, TB); 200, St. George’s Wharf, Sept. (wos). Occasional records of single birds, Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Mar., Apr. and July—November. WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Spring: 38 records (14 in G., mostly from New Grounds), Apr. 17 —June 19, mainly of under 15 birds, but with up to 50, early May. Autumn: 32 records (6 from G.), July gQ—Oct. 9; max., 16, Clevedon, AUPE: BLACK-TAILED Gopwir_ Limosa limosa G. Nine records, Jan._May 23, of one or two birds; 19 records, July 10-Sept. 9 of up to 12, mostly at New Grounds. S. Coast: five records of up to five, Jan.Apr. 29; 15 records, July 10—-Nov. 23, mostly of up to seven, but 200-250, Weston Bay area, Sept., and 120-130, late Oct.—early November. Three, Tickenham Moor, Aug. 15 (HRH). One or two, Chew Valley res., August. BAR-TAILED GopwiT JLimosa lapponica G. Records (23), Apr. 1o-May 25, of up to 40, mostly at New Grounds, where also one bird, Sept. 5-21 (LPA et al.). S. Coast: 17 records, Jan.—Mar. 13, of up to 16 birds, but 36, Sand Bay, Jan. 3 (TB); 11 records, Aug. 13 to end year, mostly of up to three birds, but up to 21, Weston Bay area. Single birds, Chew Valley res., several dates, Sept.-October. GREEN SANDPIPER’ Tringa ochropus Coast and scattered inland localities: winter and autumn records of one or two, Jan.—Apr. 17 and Sept. 29—Dec.; passage records, July 11-Sept. 15, with peak in late Aug.—Sept., when parties of up to eight or nine seen, coast. Woop SANDPIPER Tringa glareola G. One, Severn Beach, July 31 (cy). S. One, Woodspring Bay, Aug. 17 (TB); one, Chew Valley res., Aug. 20 (KEV). Common SANDPIPER Tringa hypoleuca Winter records of one or two, R. Avon (Sea Mills—St. George’s Wharf), Jan._Apr. 4 and December. Coast and reservoirs: up to ten, Apr. 4-May 12 and up to 20, June 26—Oct. 3, with peak, late July—mid Aug.; 19, incl. 12 at roost, seen from steamer, Avonmouth— Hotwells, July 26 (BLK). Three, Kingston Seymour, Oct. 30 (JF). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 123 REDSHANK Tringa totanus Present all months. Up to 150, Chittening and 100, Clevedon, Jan._March. Bred, St. George’s Wharf and Clevedon coast. Autumn peaks, Chittening: 400-500, July 30—Aug. 6; 250, Sept. 7 and 300, Dec. 27; 160-240, Sand Bay, Aug.—Dec.; 200, Clevedon, Oct., and Weston Bay, November. Occasional single birds, reser- voirs, Jan.—April. 118 records (68 in G.). SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus G. New Grounds: one, Apr. 13 and two, May 9; up to 14, June 13-Oct. 19; up to 16, Frampton Pools, October. S. One, St. George’s Wharf, Apr. 10. Single birds, there and Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Aug. 21-Sept. 26. One, Sand Bay, Nov. 23. GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Winter and spring: single birds, Kenn Moor, Jan. 22 (HRH); St. George’s Wharf, Mar. 11 (GAF, JFR); New Grounds, May 11 (LPA) and Clevedon, June 12 (jrB). 77 records, July 10—-Nov. 1 from coast, resrs., and Frampton Pools—mostly of up to three birds, but up to nine, late July—early September. Knot Calidris canutus Winter: recorded on coast, Jan.-Mar. 28 and Oct. 23-end year, with up to 100, Chittening to Severn Beach, and up to 1,000, Sand Bay to Axe Estuary (where 3,500, Jan. 4—-TB). Passage records, single birds, Severn Beach, May 7-17 (NTL) and New Grounds, May 25 (LPA); up to 30, coast, July 22—-Sept. 24; one, Cheddar res., Aug. 27 (BR). PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima G. Up to five, Chittening—-Severn Beach, JanMay 11 and November, December. S. Brean Down: one, Mar. 28; up to three, Sept. g9-December. LirtLte Stint Calidris minuta G. One, New Grounds, May 23 (jps); up to four, Aug., and one, Sept.—Dec. (with two, Oct. 23—-PLG). S. Noted, Sand Bay, Aug. 21 to Nov. 23—two, Oct. 6 and three, Nov. 23, otherwise single birds (RA, TB). Single birds, Chew Valley res., Sept. and mid-late December (Rc, BR et al.). Five, Cheddar res., Nov. 19 (WLR). PECTORAL SANDPIPER’ Calidris melanotos S. One, Cheddar res., Oct. 16-23 (RMc, JAMCG, BR et al.). Details include: slightly larger than nearby Dunlin; stretched neck up frequently, when shape not unlike small Reeve. Dark, slightly decurved, medium length bill; 124 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT crown dark, with pale supercilium; upper parts dark with light buff feather edgings forming ‘snipe-like’ stripes; throat and upper breast streaked grey-buff, ending abruptly and contrasting strongly with white underparts. Hard to see when standing still in reedy areas. Very active; fed with Dunlins and alone. Flight dashing, erratic, reminiscent of snipe; no conspicuous wingbar. Dunun- Calidris alpina Most abundant wader locally. Reservoirs: 43 records of up to 40, Jan.—Apr. 25 (mostly at Chew Valley) and July 11—Dec. (mostly at Cheddar). 150, Kenn Moor, Nov. 27 (rcp). Coast: 181 records (110 in G.). Monthly peak counts in main areas: (A) New Grounds; (B) Severn Beach—Chittening; (C) St. George’s Wharf; (D) Clevedon-R. Yeo; (E) Sand Bay; (F) Weston Bay-R. Axe. (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) Jan. 600 3,000 1,000 200 3,000 2,500 Feb. 700 1,800 1,000 500 500 2,000 March 400 2,000 1,000 1,200 500 600 April 350 1,000 50 May 200 650 20 June 55 80 20 July 670 500 10 Aug. 796 500 many 350 300 Sept. 230 100 250 Oct. 700 1,500 2,000 250 Nov. 700 2,000 1,000 2,000 2,500 1,700 Dec. 1,500 3,000 850 20 3,500 7,000 CuRLEW SANDPIPER’ Calidris testacea G. Up to four, New Grounds, Aug. 5—Oct. 23 (LPA, PLG, JDS). S. Single birds, Clevedon, Feb. 13 (jrB); Axe Estuary, June 8, 10 (jFB) and Sand Bay, Nov. 23 (TB). Two, Chew Valley res., Oct. 8, 10 (SBE). SANDERLING Crocethia alba G. Up to 11, New Grounds and Chittening, Apr. 13—June 13; but 35, New Grounds, June 1 (LPA). Up to nine, mostly at New Grounds, Aug. 7—Sept. 12. One, Severn Beach, Dec. 19. 30 reports. S. Up to five, Sand Bay—-R. Axe, Jan._Mar. 13 and up to 12, Oct. 30-Dec. 25. Passage records, Sand Bay: 15, May 23 and up to 11, Aug. 4-Sept. 17. 21 reports. Rurr Philomachus pugnax Reports (66, 34 from G.), coast and reservoirs, all months but December, of up to four birds, with up to six, Axe Estuary and up to 11, New Grounds, September and October. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta S. One, St. George’s Wharf, Sept. 26, in a flock of Curlews, Lap- wings and Redshank (wes). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 125 Arctic Skua_ Stercorarius parasiticus G. Dark-phase adult, estuary, New Grounds, Sept. 6 (LPA). S. Single birds off Brean Down, Apr. 18, 24, May 16, 25, June 20, July 20, Sept. 27; also three, May 6. One off Steep Holm, Sept. 26. All except two were dark-phase birds. (BR). GREAT SkuA_ Stercorarius skua S. Single birds noted off Brean Down, Apr. 16, July 21, Aug. 1; and two, June 12, 20 (BR). One off Sand Point, Nov. 22 (TB). LONG-TAILED SkuA _ Stercorarius longicaudus S. One off end of Brean Down, Sept. 27, seen by BR in varying light conditions down to 50 yds. in flight and on water. Very small, with more graceful, buoyant flight than Arctic Skuas seen same day and on 26th; deep, almost tern-like wing-beats. Slender wings; greyer and less rufous or yellowish than Arctic Skuas. LrEssER BLACK-BACKED GuLL Larus fuscus graellsit Winter flock of 92, Frampton Pools, Feb. 9 (LPA); 255 roosting, Chew Valley res., Feb. 18 and over 250, Dec. 12 (Pjc). HERRING GuLt_ Larus argentatus S. About 2,500 roosting, Chew Valley res., Feb. 18 (pjc). Pair bred, Church Hill, Clevedon (jrs)—a new breeding site. Common GuLL_ Larus canus Passage movements to N.E. noted, April: 1,600 off New Grounds, 6th (LPA); 31 off Brean Down on 16th and 21 on 17th (BR). IcELAND GuLtL Larus glaucoides S. Immature at roost, Chew Valley res., Mar. 3 (pPjc). LirTtLe Gutu Larus minutus G. Party of 14 imms. on estuary, New Grounds, June 11 (LPA). S. Considerable spring movement—Cheddar res.: one, April 16; Chew Valley res.: three, Apr. 18; at least 17 (9 ads.), 24th; ten imms., April 25 (SBE, PLG); eight, May 2 and five on 7th (Pjc, PLG). Autumn records: three juvs., Blagdon res., Sept. 3 (pyc) and two, Chew Valley res., Oct. 23 (Rap); single juvs., Cheddar res., Nov. 13 —Dec. 28 (GBB, JAMcG ef al). BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus S. Autumn roost counts: 2,500, Weston Bay, Aug. 11 and 3,000 Chew Valley res., on 13th (RA). Unusual record of adult with both feet missing, standing on stumps of legs, Foxhill, Bath, Nov. 15 (RMc). 126 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT KitTIwAkE Rissa tridactyla S. Total of 353 (only 20 imms.) noted off Brean Down in watches on 19 days, Mar. 13—June 19 and one day in Sept., with max. of 115 on Mar. 13 (BR ef al.). Sand Point: five, Jan. 24; 35, Mar. 25 and 11, June 17 (RA). Resrs.: single imms., Chew Valley, Feb. 18 (pjc) and Cheddar, Aug. 15-23 (SBE, JAMcG ét al.). Biack TERN Chlidonias niger Small spring passage, Apr. 18—-June 12 but party of 42 to N. off Brean Down, May 6, and 14, Chew Valley res., same day. More prolonged autumn movements, from July 28—Nov. 4, but generally only small numbers involved. Max. counts: August Sept. 3 18 26 29 7 8 Cheddar res. 38 10 10 Chew Valley res. 31 vig II 20 25 Frampton 8 WHITE-WINGED Biack TERN CAlidonzas leucopterus S. One, Cheddar res., Aug. 26 (BR, JAMcG). Record, accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee, is tenth for Bristol district. CasPIAN TERN Alydroprogne tschegrava G. Adult, Frampton Pools and over estuary, Aug. 8, 11. Record, first for area, accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. Descriptive notes by jcB, JDs and GAs mention large size—larger than nearby Common Gull; steady flight with shallow wing-beats; black forehead, crown and nape; light pearly-grey upperparts and white underparts; primaries with black tips and blackish under-surface; short, slightly forked tail; black legs; large, bright coral-red bill. Common TERN Sterna hirundo Arctic TERN Sterna macrura Fairly heavy spring passage, Apr. 16—June 26. Most records from Brean Down where 236 (to N.), May 2; 200 on 5th; 140 on 6th and 41 on 14th, but fewer thereafter. Other movements included 93 on estuary, New Grounds, Apr. 24; 49, Chew Valley res., same day; 11, Cheddar res., on 25th and 23 on 26th. Noted on 42 days, July 22-Nov. 13 with maxima of 12, Aug. 15 (of which 10 at Chew Valley), 10 on 22nd and 16 on 2oth. RosEATE TERN Sterna dougallit G. One, Frampton Pools, May 30 (RKB). S. Three at rest, Chew Valley res., Apr. 24 (SBE). LirtLe TERN Sterna albifrons G. Two on estuary, New Grounds-Frampton, May 9 (jps); two on 31st (LPA) and one, Aug. 5 (TDE). One, Chittening, May 17 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 127 (NTL). T'wo, Frampton Pools, May 31 (NR) and one, June 12 (TDE). S. Single birds, Cheddar res., Apr. 16; off Brean Down, June 2 (BR) and Chew Valley res., Sept. 8 (Dw). SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis G. Single birds, Frampton Pools, Apr. 16, 17 (TDE); Chittening, July 11 (NTL) and New Grounds, Aug. 23 (LPA). S. Reservoir records: single birds, Cheddar, Apr. 16; Blagdon, Sept. 4 and Chew Valley on 6th (pjc, pyp, BR). Off Brean Down: three, June 12; two, July 20 and four, Sept. 18 (BR). Off Sand Point: one, July 11; two. Aug. 13, and three, Sept. 16 (RA, TB). RaAzorBILL Alca torda S. One off Brean Down, Apr. 3, June 12, and two, July 9 (BR). One, same place, Apr. 25 (RNC). One seen from steamer off Steep Holm, Sept. 26 (Br)—-see also below. GuILLEMOT Ura aalge G. One, Aust, Oct. 31 (RDB). S. Off Brean Down: one, May 21; up to five auks either Guillemots or Razorbills, several dates, early May-—late Sept. (BR). Stock Dove Columba oenas Reported from 22 localities (9 in G.), throughout year; no large flocks. At least four pairs bred, Steep Holm. TurTLE Dove Streptopelia turtur Reported from 27 localities (10 in G.), Apr. 19—Sept. 26; ¢. 3 pairs, St George’s Wharf; 13, Hunstrete, July 16th. BARN Ow. Tyto alba G. Single birds: Chittening to Severn Beach, Jan. 17, Feb. 8, Splatt Bridge, Aug. 5 and Hallen on 6th; Almondsbury, Nov. 21 and New Grounds, Dec. 10. S. Pair and empty nest site, Widcombe Common, Aug. 23 (Dw). Reported all months from Kewstoke, Mendip localities, resrs., Yatton, Nailsea, Portishead, Long Ashton, Leigh Woods, Pensford and Chelwood. LittLE Owt § Athene noctua G. Reported from Chittening, Oldbury, Cromhall, Sharpness, New Grounds and Fretherne. S. Breeding reports from Westbury-sub-Mendip, Chelvey and Whitchurch (pjc, PGF, HRH). Mostly single birds recorded widely throughout the year. 128 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT SHORT-EARED Ow. Asio_flammeus G. New Grounds: eight on stretch of sea wall, Jan 18 (mao), present to Mar. 23, then six on 27th; single bird still there, Apr. 11 (LPA, BAP, JDS); single birds, Aug. 22, Nov. 1 with two on 15th (LPA, RB, TDE et al.). One, and one dead, Chittening, Feb. 19 and two there, Mar.—Apr. 27 (NTL). S. Sand Bay: up to three, Feb. until Mar. 30 (RA, TB, TBS); one flew out to sea, Oct. 26; and one, Dec. 1 (TB). Single birds, Whit- church, Sept. 23 (KEv), and Nailsea Moor, Dec. 30, 31 (HRH, SMT). NicHTjAR Caprimulgus europaeus G. Female trapped and ringed, Frampton Pools, June 2 (NR). S. Churring heard in two or three areas, Mendip (RMc). KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis G. and S. Seen in 38 localities, all months. Hoopor Upupa epops G. One, Filton Golf Course, Sept. 6-16 (RA, RLB, CAP). S. Single birds, Brean Down, May 16 (BR) and Sept. 8 (RA). LEssER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus minor G. Bristol records: Vassall Park (breeding probable), Frenchay Moor and Wickham Glen (BLK). One, Wildfowl Trust, Sept. (PLG). S. Breeding season records from Blagdon res., and St. Anne’s, Bristol. Other reports from North Stoke, Kelston, Backwell and Yeo Estuary. WRYNECK § JFynx torquilla G. One, Cromhall, June 20 (jx). S. Single birds, Brean Down, Sept. 14, 18 (BR) and West End, Nailsea, Sept. 15, 16 (HRH). WooptarK_ Lullula arborea S. ‘Two on passage, Middle Hope, Sept. 8 (TB). SAND Martin Riparia riparia Usual breeding records from St. Werburghs (G.) and Parson St. Station (S.), Bristol (pyc, PGF, BLK). GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus S. One seen and heard, E. margin of Chew Valley res., June 12 (GBB). RAVEN Corvus corax Reports of one or two from: G@.—New Grounds, Whitcliff Park, Dursley area, North Nibley, Aust and Patchway; and S.—Row- berrow Warren, Cheddar, Priddy, Ebbor Gorge, St. George’s BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 129 Wharf, Sand Point and Weston-s-Mare (where four ads., Mar. 27— RA). Pair reared four young, Brean Down. Hoopep Crow Corvus cornix G. One, Chittening, Apr. 4 (jRM). WitLtow Tir Parus atricapillus S. Single birds, Berkley nr. Frome, Jan. 9 and Clutton, Jan. 10 (BR); Saltford, Mar. 14 (BK); Abbot’s Pool, Apr. 28 (jrB); Stock Hill Woods, Dec. 18 (jAmcc); and Barrow res., Dec. 24 (Pjc, PGF). DiprPER Cinclus cinclus Reports of single birds from: §.—Chew Magna, ‘Tellisford, Monkton Combe, Midford and Bathford; and G@.—Ford and Willsbridge (this is certainly not a true picture of the bird’s status in S. Glos.). Rinc Ouzet Turdus torquatus S. Thirty-four, Wavering Down, Apr. 3 (NTL). Reports (17) of up to five from Nailsea, Sand Point, Brean Down and Mendip areas, Mar. 17—Apr. 12 and Aug. 24—Oct. 24. WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe Reports (59, of which 16 from G.) of up to 14 birds from wide- spread localities, Mar. 14—Oct. 28. STONECHAT Saxicola torquata Widespread reports (19 in G., all outside breeding season, and 47 in S., all months) of up to nine birds. Breeding proved at Brean Down and old airport, Whitchurch (pcr, BR). WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Reports of up to five, May 2—-Sept. 26, from: G.—Frampton on Severn, New Grounds, New Passage, Chittening and Filton; and S.—St. George’s Wharf, Nailsea Moor, Clevedon, Sand Point, Brean Down, Charterhouse, Priddy and Chew Valley reservoir. Repstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Up to four reported, May 2-Sept. 26, from: G.—Northwick, New Passage, Almondsbury and Brentry; and §.—Ashton Park, Brockley Combe, Brean Down, Velvet Bottom and Priddy. BLack RepsTartT Phoenicurus ochrurus S.—Single birds, Brean Down, Jan. 23—-Feb. 21 and April 17 (Br); Sand Point, Oct. 5 (TB); and Bleadon Hill, Nov. 4 (sBE). NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhyncha Singing males reported from: G@.—Frampton Pools, North Nibley, Tortworth, Cromhall, Inglestone Common (Wickwar) and 130 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Hallen; and §.—Leigh Woods, Midford, Warleigh Woods, Nemp- nett Thrubwell and Chew Stoke. BLUETHROAT Cyanosylvia svecica S. A first-winter g trapped, Blagdon res., Aug. 30 (Pjc, PGF). One found dead, Blackdown, Oct. 6, taken to City Museum (per RDB). GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Up to three singing g¢ reported, April 18—-Sept. 18, from: G.—Frampton Pools, Cromhall, Severn Beach, Chittening, Law- rence Weston, Beach, Pipley Bottom and St. Catherine; and S.—old airport, Whitchurch (where breeding proved), Long Ashton, Clevedon, Sand Point, Brean Down, Bleadon Hill, Wins- combe Hill, Mendip Lodge, Lord’s Wood, Chew Valley res. and Warleigh Woods (Bath). AguaTic WARBLER Acrocephalus paludicola S. One, Sand Bay, Sept. 15-20, with two on 16th (cRB, PC, BR et al.). Record, sixth for area, accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. BiackcaP Sylvia atricapilla Records of wintering birds from Sneyd Park (Bristol), Feb. 3 and 5th; Saltford, 6th; Victoria Park (Bath), 14th; and Olveston, Mar. 15. Woop WarsBLER_ Phylloscopus sibilatrix S. Breeding records from Leigh Woods, Brockley Combe, Rainbow Wood (Bath) and Nempnett Thrubwell. One of brood ringed, latter place, June 30 found dead, Empoli (Italy), September (Pjc). Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus Single birds: G.—New Grounds, Dec. 12 (APR); and §.—Brean Down, Oct. 24 (BR). Piep FLycATCHER Muscicapa hypoleuca Single birds reported from: G@.—Patchway, Aug. 20 and Filton, Sept. 24; and §.—Clevedon, Apr. 20, Weston Woods Apr. 21, Worlebury, Sept. 13 and Brean Down, Sept. 21. RicHARp’s Pipir Anthus richard S. One, Kenn Estuary, Nov. 22 and 30th, 1970 (BR). Record accepted by Brit. Birds Rarities Committee. TREE Pipir Anthus trivialis Reports of up to ten, Apr. 13—Oct. 24, from: @.—Chittening and S.—St. George’s Wharf, Leigh Woods, Abbot’s Leigh, Failand, BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 131 Brockley Combe, Sand Point, Worlebury, Brean Down, Shipham, Mendip localities, Biddlecombe nr. W. Horrington, Marksbury and Norton Malreward (where breeding proved). Rock Pipir Anthus spinoletta petrosus S. Inland records of single birds from Cheddar res., Mar. 13 and Oct. 2—-Dec. 24 (GBB, RMC, JAMcG ét al.). WatTER Pipir Anthus spinoletta spinoletia S. Up to three, Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs. and Clevedon, Jan. 2-Apr. 21; up to three, Cheddar res. and single birds, Barrow Gurney res. and Portbury Wharf, Oct. 30—-Dec. 28; Chew Valley res.—five, Oct. 10, then numbers rose steadily to possibly eleven (six together), Nov. 28 and at least 17, Dec. 24 (Pjc, RMG, KEV et al.). 58 records. WuiTe WactaiLt Motacilla alba alba G. One, Severn Beach, May 11 (Gy). S. Up to nine, Sand Bay, Brean Down, and Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Apr. 7-May 8 (RA, TB, BR ef al.). WaxwinG Bombycilla garrulus G. Single bird, Hallen, Dec. 5 (NTL). GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor S. One, Rookham, nr Wells, present from Dec. 10, 1970 to Mar. 20 (many observers). One, Sand Bay, Oct. 27 (TB). RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio G. One, Frocester, May 26 (p). S. One, near Easton-in-Gordano, May 24 (sL, Pw). HawrincH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Reports of up to five from: @.—Clifton Down, Apr.—June (NTL) and §.—Leigh Woods, Long Ashton, Chew Stoke, Emborough Pond and Monkton Combe, Apr. 28—-end year (GBB, DP eéé al.). SISKIN Carduelis spinus G. 200, Westridge Wood, Mar. 17 (LPA). Reports of up to 60 from Frampton Pools, Snuff Mills and St. Anne’s Park (Bristol), Jan. 1- Mar. 28 and Oct. 14-Dec. 31. S. Reports (40) of up to 100 from 15 coastal and inland localities. One, ringed nr Dusseldorf, W. Germany, Aug. 6, controlled, Barrow Gurney res., Dec. 24 (Pyjc, PGF). TwitE Carduelis flavirostris G. One, Frampton on Severn, Aug. 19 (TDE). 132 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT S. Two, Cheddar res., Nov. 3 and 14th (GBB, JAMcG, BR) and six, Sand Bay, Nov. 10 (TB). REDPOLL Carduelis flammea Reports (85) of up to 55 birds from 22 coastal and inland locali- ties, G. and S., Jan. 2-May 20 and July 18—Dec. 31. BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Reports of up to 20 from: @.—New Grounds, Aust, Chittening and Filton; and §.—Sand Bay and Brean Down areas and Claverton Down (Bath), Jan. 11-Mar. 4 and Oct. 17—Dec. 26 (LPA, PLG, JFR ebval:). Corn Buntinc LEnmberiza calandra G. One, Frampton on Severn, June (jrH). Count of 118 singing gd, Cotswolds S. of line Hawkesbury Upton—Dunkirk, early July (njc). S. Several, Lansdown, July 8 (Rc). Cirt Buntinc LEmberiza cirlus Up to four, Horseshoe Bend, R. Avon, Bristol (G.), Worlebury Hill, Cheddar res. and Draycott (Gar, JAMcG, sMT ¢é¢ al.). OrTOLAN Buntinc LEmberiza hortulana S. One, Brean Down, Aug. 18 (BR)-third record for County. Snow Buntinc Plectrophenax nivalis S. Single birds, Cheddar res., Dec. 6 and Brean Down, Dec. 7 (BR). Four, Sand Bay, Dec. 15 (TB). TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Reports of up to 40 birds from 40 G. and S. localities, with 100, Fishponds, Bristol, Feb. 11 and 300, Aust, same day. OTHER COMMON OR REGULARLY OCCURRING SPECIES PRESENT (those marked * are mentioned in the Foreword). Residents: Greylag Gooset, Mute Swan, Pheasant, Moorhen, Great Black- backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove*, Tawny Owl, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Skylark, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay; Great, Blue, Coal, Marsh and Long-tailed Tits; Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren*, Mistle Thrush*, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Goldcrest, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit; Pied and Grey Wagtails; Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow. Summer or Winter visitors or passage migrants: Wigeon*, Cuckoo, Swift*, Swallow*, House Martin*; Reed, Sedge and Garden* Warblers; Whitethroat*, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler*, Chiffchaff*, Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail*. + Full-winged birds from the Wildfowl Trust are regularly seen elsewhere in the area. \ | { 133 LEPIDOPTERA NOTES BRISTOL DISTRICT, 1971 BUTTERFLIES By A. N. GRosE N spite of the excellent weather experienced during the year, reports on the butterfly population, except for the more common species, have been a little disappointing. No reports have been received of the High Brown Fritillary, Duke of Burgundy Fritillary, Adonis Blue and the Small blue, all of which have previously been observed and are almost certainly still to be seen. However, the recording of the Purple Emperor in another Somerset locality is very encouraging. The Camberwell Beauty record was another notable count. It was seen and photographed near Winscombe. Contributors were: R. Angles (RA), G. Best (cB), A. R. Brown (AB), J. Burton (jrs), F. Gravestock (rc), A. N. Grose (ANG), B. J. Gregory (nyc), B. Kington (BLK), J. Lance (jL), K. H. Poole (kup), T. & M. Silcocks (Ts), Symes (rs), P. & K. Vigus (pkv) D. R. Humblett (prH), Mrs. M. Knight (mx), G and § refer to the two vice-counties of West Gloucestershire and North Somerset respectively. F. ee R: Pararge aegeria (Speckled Wood) Widespread but not numerous until early June. First seen on 29th April (TMs) at Clifton (G.) and recorded on Oct. 10 (RA) at Sand Point (S.) Pararge megera (Wall Brown) Seen in many localities, with an increase in numbers in August. Only common in one locality. G. Upper Eastville: May 22 (BLK); Chittening: July 28 (BLK); Frampton Common: Aug. 16 (BjG); 1 on May 7. Charfield (mx). S. Sandford Hill: May 14 (TMs); Weston-S-Mare: July 12 (KHP); 9 at Dolebury Camp: Aug. 24 (BLK); Numerous Clevedon: Aug. 7 (JFB). Melanargea galathea (Marbled White) Few records received, but common at Kingsweston Down (G) July 7 (ANG); Saddlewood: July 13 (mK); Wick: Few 25 July (pRH). S. Long Ashton: 1 on July 10; Lower Failand: 1 on July 14 (ANG); Chew Valley Lake: 2 on July 21; Steart: 1 on July 29 (BLK); 3 on Brean Down: 12 July; Wavering Down: 1 on July 28 (AB). Eumenis semele (Grayling) Rather more this year in the few localities visited. G. 3-Selsey Common: Aug. 16 (BjG); Bream: several July 17 (ANG). S. Sand Point: 12 on July 28 (RA); Dolebury Camp: 3 on August 24 (BLK); Wavering Down: many on July 28 (as). Mamnola jurtina (Meadow Brown) A poor year for this species, only noted in numbers at a few places. G. Coalpit Heath: Numerous July 10 (Byc); West littleton: few on July 7 (ANG). S. Weston Woods: 1 on 13 July; Worlebury: 1 on June 24 (kHP); Abbots ae I on June 19, 1 on July 28 (r&ms); Brockley Combe: many July 17 JEB). 134 A. N. GROSE, K. H. POOLE, AND OTHERS Maniola tithonus (Hedge Brown) Fairly common in its usual haunts. G. Kingsweston Down: common on July 7 (ANG); Stoke Park: 12 on July 28, 7 Bickley Wood, Hanham (BLK); West Littleton: several on July 7, many at Frampton Cotterell Aug 26 (jc). S. Biddle Combe, Wells. 1 on July 26 (Fc); St. Georges Wharf: 1 on July 13; Abbots Leigh: 1 on Sept. 7; Dolebury Camp: 1 on Aug. 24 Clevedon: abund- ant Aug. 7 (JFB). Coenonympha pamphilus (Small Heath). Widespread and common. G. Symonds Yat: May 22, several (ANG); Selsey Common, 10, Aug. 16 (BjG); Inglestone Common, abundant, June 1 (BLK). S. Sandford Hill: 2, May 14; Charterhouse: common, July 1; St. Georges Wharf: 1, Oct. 7 (TMs); Clevedon: Numerous, May 22 (jr). Aphantopus hyperanthus (Ringlet) G. Bickley Wood, Hanham: io on July 18; Avon Valley, Hanham: 2 on July 30 (BLK); Coalpit Heath: 1 on July 10 (Bjc); Saddlewood: July 3 (mk). S. Weston Wood: 1 on July 13 (kHP); Shapwick Heath: many July 6 (jrs); Aller Wood, Othery: Many July 9 (jrs). Argynnis selene (Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary) G. Forest of Dean: Several, worn, July 10 & 17 (ANG); several, with euphrosyne, early June (GB). S. Charterhouse: 1 on July 1 (tms); Goblin Combe: Several, June 3 (AB). Arg ynnis euphrosyne (Pearl Bordered Fritillary). G. Forest of Dean: several, early June (cB). S. Goblin Combe: 15 on May 21 (TMs). Euphydrias aurinia (Marsh Fritillary). G. No record. S. Charterhouse: 1 on July 1, May 22, 2 on June 5 (Ts). Argynnis aglaia (Dark Green Fritillary) G. Stoke Park: 1 on July 13 (Kup); Saddlewood: abundant July 3 (mx) and 13. S. Weston Woods: 1 on July 20 (BLK); Brean Down: 10 on 15 July (Ts). Argynnis paphia (Silver-Washed Fritillary) G. Forest of Dean: Many, several localities: July 10 (ANG); Soudley (F. of D.): Aug. 25 (MK). S. Leigh Woods: 1 on Aug. 7 (BLK); Brockley Combe: 2 on July 11; Aller Wood, Othery: 1 on July 9 (jrs). Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral) Fairly common and widespread. First seen at Blakeney (G.) on July 14 (ANG) and the last on ivy at Abbots Leigh (S) on Oct. 30 (Ts). Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) Rather uncommon this year and only seen in small numbers. G. Blakeney: 1 on September 12 (ANG); Charfield: 1 on Oct. 2 (Mx). S. Sandpoint: 1 on Aug. 7; Brean Down: Sept. 8 & 12; Weston-S-Mare: Oct. 30 (RA); Clevedon: 1 on Oct. 2 (jrB); Berrow: 1 on Oct. 6 (AB). Aglais urticae (Small Tortoiseshell) Common and widespread. Early appearances from hibernation at Clevedon (S) Jan. 10 & Feb. 3 (rms); Sneyd Park (G) Feb. 19 (ji). Last seen Abbots Leigh (S) on ivy Oct. 27 (TMs). Nymphalis io (Peacock) A good year for this butterfly. Early appearances Westerleigh (G@) April 10 (Bjc); Abbots Leigh (S) April 10 (ts). Last seen Abbots Leigh Sept. 8 (TMs). Polygonia C-album (Comma) Recorded from many localities in the usual numbers. G. Soudley, F-o-Dean: April 12 (ANG); Blakeney: April 28 (ANG); Vassals Park, Fishponds: 8 on July 20 (BLK); Frampton Cotterell: 1 on March 27 (3jc). LEPIDOPTERA NOTES 135 S. Abbots Leigh: April 10, July 12, Sept. 7, Oct. 9 (rms); Weston in Gordano: 1 on Aug. 17 (TMs); Ashton Court: 1 on Oct. 15 (Rs); Great Breach Wood, Nr. Street: 6 on Aug. 17; Warmley: numerous Sept. 7 (JjFs). Nymphalis antiopa (Camberwell Beauty) S. Barton, Nr. Winscombe 1 (and possibly 2) July—Aug. (PKv). Apatura iris (Purple Emperor) S. 1 seen in a woodland locality in Somerset: August 17 (jFB). Limenitis camilla (White Admiral) G. Forest of Dean: single specimens on July 6, 10, 17; Dymock Wood: several on July 8 (ANG). Aricia agestis (Brown Argus) G. Nailsworth: 1 on June 3 (ANG). S. Worlebury: several June 24 (KHP); Sand Point: 2 on May 18 (ts); Dolebury Camp: 4 on Aug. 24 (BLK); Great Breach Wood: few Aug. 17 (jrsB); Bathford Hill (Browns Folly) June 13 (ak). Polyommatus icarus (Common Blue) Widespread and common especially in Somerset. G. Nailsworth: June 3 (ANG); Selsey Common: 6 on Aug. 16; Inglestone common: 2 on June 1; Bickley Wood: 8 on Aug. 16 (BLK). S. Sandpoint: numerous May 12, 18, Sept. 5 (rms); Dolebury Camp: 70 on Aug. 24 (BLK); Worlebury: several June 24 (kHP); Clevedon: many Aug. 7 (FB). Celastrina argiolus (Holly Blue) Local but not uncommon, tending to increase and most evident in the first brood. 1 or 2 during early May, late July, Charfield (G) (mx). G. Clifton: 2 on April 28 (rms); Lydney Tuffs: several May 24; Symonds Yat: 1 on May 22 (ANG); Vassals Park: 1 on Aug. 5 (BLK); Highfield, Wick: few on Aug. 8 (DRH). S. Weston-S-Mare: 1 on May 4 (kHpP); Abbots Leigh: 2 on May 12 (Ts); Goblin Combe: 1 on May 21; Abbots Leigh: 1 on Aug. 2 (TMs); Clevedon: several Aug. 7 (jrB); Midford, May 2 (Ak). Lysandra coridon (Chalkhill Blue) G. Abundant in one of the Glos. National Trust Reserves (GB). S. Brean Down: 5 on July 24 (RA). Lycaena phlaeas (Small Copper). Widespread in small numbers. G. Frampton Cotterell: 1 on Aug. 16; Aust: 1 on Aug. 24 (BjG); Bickley Wood, Hanham: 1 on June 4 (BLK); Bream: 1 on May 11 (ANG); Soudley, Forest of Dean: several, 25 Aug. (MK). 8. Sandford Hill: 1 on May 14; Sand Point: May 18; Abbots Leigh: 1 on Aug. 23 (TMs); Clevedon: many Aug. 7 (jrB); Midford: May 2 (ax). Callophrys rubt (Green Hairstreak) G, Symonds Yat: 1 on May 22; Bream: 1 on July 17 (aAnc)—fresh, a very late date! Charfield: 1 on June 1 (mK); Avon Gorge: 1 in May (pru). S. Goblin Combe: 2 on May 21 (TMs), 2 on June 3 (AB). Thecla quercus (Purple Hairstreak) Smaller numbers this year and fewer records. G. Forest of Dean: 3 on Aug. 16 (ANG); Avon Valley, Hanham: 30 July (BLK). S. Great Breach Wood: a few Aug. 17 (JFB). Strymon—W-album (White -Letter Hairstreak) This local butterfly appears to have had a good year in spite of the impact of Dutch Elm disease on the trees. G. Vassals Park, Fishponds: 6 on Aug. 5; Bickley Woods: 4 on Aug. 6 (BLK). Tintern Rail Track: 3 worn on Aug. 17 (ANG); Durdham Down: 2 on June 25 (aB); Charfield: 1 on July 19 (mK); Saddlewood: July 13 (mx). S. Weston Woods: 1 on July 13 (kHP); Abbots Leigh: 1 on July 13 (rms); Leigh Woods: 1 on Aug. 7 (BLK); Wick: 4 on Aug. 8 (DRH). 136 A. N. GROSE, K. H. POOLE, AND OTHERS Leptidea sinapis (Wood White) G. Symonds Yat, several May 22 (ANG). Pieris brassicae (Large White) Not so common this year. First reported April 22 at Weston-S-Mare (S) (KHp). Last seen at Abbots Leigh (S) Aug. 20 (TMs). Pieris rapae (Small: White) Very common. First seen Weston-super-Mare (S) on April 12 (kHp), last seen Abbots Leigh (S): Oct. 7 (Ts). Pieris napt (Green-Veined White) Widespread but not abundant, first seen April 12 at Stone (G) (Bjc), last seen Aug. 16 at Frampton Cotterell (jc). Anthocaris cardamines (Orange Tip) This Butterfly appeared in the usual numbers, first seen Blakeney (G) April 28 (ANG); last seen June 19 at Abbots Leigh (S) (Ts). Gonepteryx rhamni (Brimstone) Widespread in suitable localities but rarely more than 2 or 3 at a time. G. Charfield: Mar. 30, May 30, July 25 (mK); Coalpit Heath: 2 on April 10; Whitecliff Park: 8 on April 12 (ByG); Inglestone Common: 2 on June 2 (BLK); Forest of Dean: 1 on April 12 (ANG); Clifton Gorge: 1 on April 17 (Rs). S. Abbots Leigh: 3 on April 10; Goblin Combe: 1 on May 21; St. Georges Wharf: 1 on Oct. 23; Weston in Gordano: 1 on Aug. 17 (TMS); Great Breach Wood: both sexes very numerous Aug. 17 (JFB). Erynnis tages (Dingy Skipper) G. Nailsworth: 3 on June 3 (ANG). S. Sandford Hill: 4 on May 14, Goblin Combe: 3 on May 21 (Ts); Bathford Hill, Browns Folly: June 13 (Ak). Pyrgus malvae (Grizzled Skipper) G. Blackpool Bridge: 1 on May 12; Bream: 2 on May 11 (ANG); Saddlewood: July 3, July 13 (Mk). : S. Sandford Hill: 2 on May 14, 1 on May 27; Goblin Combe: 4 on May 21 (TMs). Thymelicus sylvestris (Small Skipper) Widespread and common. G. Earliest date—June 27 at West Littleton (Bjc); most records between July 10-20. S. Brockley Combe: few July 17; Gt. Breach Wood: many on Aug. 17 (JFB). Ochlodes venata (Large Skipper) Fairly common, probably increasing. G. Saddlewood: July 3 and 13 (MK); Kingsweston Down: several July 7 (ANG); Vassals Park, Fishponds: 1 on Aug. 5 (BLK); S. Abbots Leigh: 1 on July 12; Lower Failand: 1 on July 14 (rms); Shapwick Heath: many July 6 (jrs); Bathford Hill: June 13. MOTHS By K. H. Poo.Le HE following list has been compiled from records received from C. 8S. H. Blathwayt (CSHB), J. F. Burton (JFB), T. Hall (TH), A. Kennard (AK), M. L. Knight (MLK), K. H. Poole (KHP), T. B. Silcocks (TBS) and T. B. Tunstall (TBT). An extensive list of records for the Michael Wood—Charfield— Wotton-under-Edge area, contributed by P. F. Alfrey (PFA) has = Sitti LEPIDOPTERA NOTES 137 been included in full as this district has not previously figured greatly in the Notes. Unless marked * all were noted at light, and were single specimens except where shown otherwise. Some records for previous years, received lately, are also included. Mimas tiliae L. (Lime Hawkmoth), June 18 (PFA). Acherontia atropos L. (Death’s-head Hawkmoth), Congresbury, Aug. 28 (TBT). Herse convolvuli L. (Convolvulous Hawkmoth), Saltford, Sept. 19, 1970 (AK). Deilephila porcellus L. (Small Elephant Hawkmoth), June 19 (pF). Cerura hermelina Goeze (Poplar Kitten), Weston-s-Mare, June 23 (KHP). Cerura furcula C2. (Sallow Kitten), Abbots Leigh, Aug. 8 (TBs). Notodonta dromedarius L. (Iron Prominent), Sept. 9 (PFA). N. ziczac L. (Pebble Prominent), July 4 (PFA). Pterostoma palpina C2. (Pale Prominent), May, June, Sept., several (PFA). Lophopteryx capucina L. (Coxcomb Prominent), May 12 (PFA). Clostera curtula L. (Chocolate Tip), Saltford, May 21, 1969 (Ak). Thyatira batis L. (Peach Blossom), May, June, several (PFA). Leucoma salicis L. (White Satin), Shapwick, July 2, several (csHB), Abbots Leigh, July 10 (TBs). Dasychira pudibunda L. (Pale Tussock), June 11 (PFA). Lymantria monacha L. (Black Arches), Aug. 4, 9, several (PFA), Abbots Leigh, Aug. 21 (TBs). Trichiura crataegi L. (Pale Oak Eggar), Aug. (PFA), Shapwick, Sept. 3, 10, common (CSHB) Gastropacha quercifolia L. (Lappet), July 20, 23 (PFA). Drepana falcataria L. (Pebble Hooktip), June, several (PFA). D. binaria Hufn. (Oak Hooktip), July 30 (PFA), Saltford, May 12, 1970 (AK). D. cultraria Fab. (Barred Hooktip), May 22 (PFA). Phragmatobia fuliginosa L. (Ruby Tiger), July, Aug. several (PFA). Arctia villica L. (Cream-spot Tiger), June 8, 1970 (PFA). Panaxia dominula L. (Scarlet Tiger), July 7, 1970 (PFA). Cybosia mesomella L. (Four-dotted Footman), June 28 (PFA). Nudaria mundana L. (Muslin Footman), July 24 (pFA). Colocasia coryli L. (Nut-tree Tussock), Aug., Sept. (PFA). Apatele alni L. (Alder Dagger), Saltford, June 1, 1970 (AK). Euxoa nigricans L. (Garden Dart), Weston-s-Mare, late July, early Aug., several (csHB), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, Aug. 12 (KHP) D 138 A. N. GROSE, K. H. POOLE, AND OTHERS Amathes agathina Dup. (Heath Rustic), Shapwick, Aug. 20, Sept. 10 (csHB). A. glareosa Esp. (Autumnal Rustic), Sept. 10* (pra), Saltford, Sept. 23, 1970 (Ak). Anaplectoides prasina Schiff. (Green Arches), Saltford, July 28, 1969 (Ak). Hadena genistae Borkh. (Light Brocade), June 21 (PFA). H. suasa Schiff. (Dog’s Tooth), Shapwick, Aug. 20 (csHB). Bombycia viminalis Fab. (Minor Shoulder-knot), Aug. 2 (PFA). Eremobia ochroleuca Schiff. (Dusky Sallow), Aug. 6, 1970 (PFA). Episoma caeruleocephala L. (Figure of Eight), Clevedon, June 7. larva* (jrs). Aporophila nigra Haw. (Black Rustic), Sept. 27* (PFA). Antitype flavicincta Schiff. (Large Ranunculus), Oct. 1 (PFA). A. chi L. (Grey Chi), Aug. 15*, Sept. 15* (pra), Abbots Leigh, Aug. 21 (TBs). Griposia aprilina L. (Merveille du Jour), Saltford, Oct. 22, 1969, 2 (Ak). Apamea scolapacina Esp. (Slender Brindle), July 29, 31 (PFA). Celaena leucostigma Hb. (The Crescent), Ashcott, Aug. 31, 1969 (AK). Cosmia pyralina Schiff. (Lunar-spotted Pinion), Weston-s-Mare, July 10 (csHB). July 29, Milton, Weston-s-Mare (KHP). Kenobia subtusa Schiff. (The Olive), Weston-s-Mare, July 29 (KHP). Cerastis rubricosa Schiff. (Red Chestnut), May 11 (PFA). Orthosia advena Schiff. (Northern Drab), Saltford, May 8, 1970 (Ak). Tiliacea aurago Schiff. (Barred Sallow), Oct. 3 (PFA). Conistra vaccinit L. (The Chestnut), Jan. 20*, March 12*, Oct. 11* (PFA). C. ligula Esp. (Dark Chestnut), Nov. 18 (PFA). Lithophane semibrunnea Haw. (Tawny Pinion), Saltford, Oct. 3, 1969* (Ak). L. leautieri Boisd. (Blair’s Pinion), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, Oct. 11 (KHP). Xylena vetusta Hb. (Red swordgrass), Sept. 29 (PFA). Heliothis armigera Hb. (Scarce Bordered Straw), Saltford, Sept. 27, 1970 (AK). Jaspidia fasciana L. (Marbled White Spot), July, several (PFA). Plusia festucae L. (Gold Spot), Aug. several (pFA), Abbots Leigh, Aug. 21, 24 (4) (TBS). P. iota L (Plain Golden Y), July 27 (PFA). P. pulchrina Haw. (Beautiful Golden Y), May 5, June 24 (PFA). Catocala nupta L. (Red Underwing), Saltford, Aug. 29 (Ax), Charfield, Sept. 4* (MLK), Weston-s-Mare, Sept. 20* (KHP). Schrankia costaestrigalis Steph. (Pinion-streaked Snout), Sept. 29 (PFA). Geometra papilionaria L. (Large Emerald), July, several (PFA). Comibaena pustulata Hufn. (Blotched Emerald), July 4 (PFA). LEPIDOPTERA NOTES 139 Cosymbia punctaria L. (Maiden’s Blush), July 19 (PFA). Odezia atrata LL. (Chimney Sweeper), July 7 (pra), Saddlewood, July, Aug., abundant* (MLK). Larentia clavaria Haw. (Mallow), Sept. 28 (PFA). Acasis viretata Hb. (Yellow-barred Brindle) Aug. 8 (PFA). Lampropteryx suffumata Schiff. (Water Carpet), Cheddar Gorge, May 5, 1969* (ak). L. otregiata Metcalfe (Metcalfe’s Carpet), Shapwick, June 2, several, Aug. 20, Sept. 3 (CSHB). Perizoma affinitata Steph. (Rivulet), June 18 (PFA). P. albulata Schiff (Grass Rivulet), June, several (PFA). P. alchemillata L. (Small Rivulet), July, Aug. several (PFA). P. flavofasciata Thunb. (Sandy Carpet), June 7, 1970, June 26 (pra). Hydriomena impluviata Schiff. (May Highflyer), Saltford, May 21, 1969 (AK). Eupithecia distinctaria H.-S. (Thyme Pug), July 17 (pra). E. expallidata Guen (Bleached Pug), Saltford, July 31, 1969 (Ak). E. absinthiata C2. (Wormwood Pug), July 25 (PFA). E. tripunctaria H.-S. (White-spotted Pug), June 29 (PFA). E. succenturiata L. (Bordered Pug), July, several (PFA). E. pygmaeta Hubn. (Marsh Pug), Shapwick, June 4* (csHB). Gymnoscelis pumilata Hb. (Double-striped Pug), Aug. 8 (PFA). Nycterosea obstipata Fab. (Gem), Saltford, Aug. 29, Oct. 22 (2) 1969 (AK). Anagoga pulveraria L. (Barred Umber), Cheddar Gorge, May 12, 1969* (Ak). Gonodontis bidentata Cl. (Scalloped Hazel), May 30 (PFA). Angerona prunaria L. (Orange Moth), Shapwick, July 2, several (CsHB). Chiasma clathrata L. (Latticed Heath), Clevedon, Aug. 11 (JFB). Ectropis consonaria Hb. (Square Spot), Weston-super-Mare, June 7 (CSHB). Kygaena lonicerae Schev. (Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet), Clevedon (Jjrs). Cossus cossus L. (Goat Moth), Kingswood, Bristol, Oct., larva (TH). Spechia bembeciformis Hb. (Lunar Hornet Moth), Easton-in-Gordano, July 15* (At rest on mist-net) (TBs). COLEOPTERA (BEETLES) CONTRIBUTED BY R. LyMEs Hylotrupes bajalus (House Longhorn Beetle), Coombe Dingle, larvae in wood block floor. Identified by Forest Products Research Laboratory. Apparently uncommon on this side of the country. 140 A. N. GROSE, K. H. POOLE, AND OTHERS ODONATA (DRAGONFLIES) CONTRIBUTED BY J. M. Boyp Agrion virgo L. (Demoiselle Agrion), Sutton, Castle Cary, July 18, numerous. Platynemis pennipes Pallas (White-legged Damselfly), Chilton Moor, May 22, (1 female Jactea), Avon-Kennet Canal, Bathampton, July 31, 2 males. Enallagma cyathigerum Charpentier (Common Blue Damselfly), Blagdon Reservoir, Charterhouse, Avon-Kennet Canal, colonies, May 22—Oct. 6. Coenagrion pulchellum Van der Linden (Variable Coenagrion), Chilton Moor, May 23, July 25, Stoke Moor, small numbers. Aeshna cyanea Miller (Southern Aeshna), Shipham, 1, Westhay Heath, 1, Chilton Moor, 2, July 25, Yatton, 1, Sept. 5. A. grandis L. (Brown Aeshna), Avon-Kennet Canal, Bathampton, 12, July 29- Aug. 17, St. Michael’s Hill, Bristol, 1, Aug. 16. A, mixta Latr. (Scarce Aeshna), Colonies at Blagdon and Chew Valley Reservoirs, Sedgemoor, Avon-Kennet Canal. Individuals, Yatton, Draycott, Kingston Seymour, Westhay Heath, Aug. 15—Oct. 17. Sympetrum striolatum Charpentier (Common Sympetrum), Blagdon Reservoir, Congresbury, Draycott, Westhay Moor, Sedgemoor, Avon-Kennet Canal, July 31-Oct. 23. Agrion splendens Harris, Lestes sponsa Hanseman, Pyrrhosoma nymphula Sulzer, Ishnura elegans Van der Linden, Coenagrion puella L., Brachytron pratense Miller, Libellula quadrimaculata L., L. depressa L., and Sympetrum sanguineum Miller were again recorded for the same areas as 1970. 141 BRISTOL MAMMAL REPORT, 1971 By R. G. SyMEs INCE 1965 the Mammal Section’s survey work has been aimed primarily at recording the presence of mammals on the basis of 10 km. squares of the National Grid for the Mammal Society’s distribution scheme. Provisional maps, showing records from pre- 1900, 1900 to 1959, and 1960 to 1970 by different symbols, were published by Corbet (1971). ‘They showed the Bristol district to be well covered for most of the commoner species but emphasised how both nationally and locally the distribution of some species is poorly recorded. However the maps, which are the first detailed ones ever published for most species, give a basis for all future recording and areas needing special attention can be readily identi- fied. Where a species has been recorded from all of the 10 km. squares in the Bristol district this is noted in the list below, but for other species new 10 km. square records, representing additions to the Mammal Society maps, are mentioned. The Mammal Section’s records are plotted on 1 km. square distribution maps so as to give more detailed information for this area. The total number of complete and partial 1 km. squares involved is approximately 2,220 and the most-recorded species, the mole, has been plotted in 428 to date, so a great deal of work remains. The Section’s field work during 1971 did not include much small mammal trapping but was concerned mostly with searching for field signs of the larger species. ‘The three river survey meetings (see Secretary’s Report p. 91) were very successful and introduced the concept of simultaneous surveys by a number of groups, each with an experienced leader. This enabled the area covered by the meetings to be increased substantially. ‘These meetings were the basis of the groundwork necessary for investigations in progress into the status of the otter in this area, information which is urgently required. Perhaps the most important event of the year however was the reappearance in the Bristol district of the polecat after an absence of at least 43 years. Contributors of records were:—J. Bainbridge, Mrs. M. Bambridge, G. H. Barge, R. Bassindale, K. T. Batty, J. M. Boyd, Miss S. Brindle, Bristol Evening Post, F. J. Bryant, J. F. Burton, Mrs. Campbell, K. J. Coghill, M. Collins, R. M. Curber, C. J. Dallinger, M. J. D’Oyly, Miss J. D. Ethelston, Mrs. A. Freeman, Miss I. F. Gravestock, Miss P. M. Hall, H. R. Hammacott, R. Hanham, M. J. Hannagan, B. S. F. Hessey, H. G. Hockey, D. J. Hughes, Mrs. N. P. Humphris, G. Jackson, A. F. Jayne, Mrs. R. E. Knight, Miss E. J. Lenton, Mrs. B. Magill, Mammal Section Field Meeting, Mrs. L. Moore, G. Moysey, North Somerset 142 R. G. SYMES Mercury, M. A. Ogilvie, E. W. Powell, Mr. and Mrs, J. G. Prince, B. A. Rabbitts, R. D. Ransome, F. H. Rawlings, Mrs. P. H. Royle, Dr. R. J. G. Savage, Dr. M. Sainsbury, T. B. Silcocks, Miss L. J. Smith, R. Surch, G. A. Turrell, G. Walker, Miss J. B. Webb, Miss M. Westcott, R. G. Williams, P. A. Young. Check list numbers and names are taken from Corbet (1964). 1. HEDGEHOG. Erinaceus europaeus. ‘The impression, based solely on numbers killed on roads, was that there were fewer hedgehogs about in 1971 than 1970. It was unusual, compared with previous years, to drive 100 miles in mid-June and see no dead hedgehogs when at least 3 or 4 had been expected. During a drive of 120 miles in mid-May one was found dead. A national Sunday paper (Sept. 12) also reported a shortage of hedgehogs: they had been sold as pets in a London store in 1970 for 70 pence each, but in 1971 they cost £1°50, a reflection of the supplier’s problem. Three hedgehogs born in August 1970 emerged from hibernation in a summerhouse on 17 April (PHR). A juvenile was active at 13.20 BST on 21 July (RGs), and a nest with three half-grown young was found on 17 September under an outhouse floor (HRH). One seen regularly during the summer was last seen on 3 November (ms) but others were seen throughout the unusually mild December. A female found dead on the road at Clevedon on 4 December (JDE) was later skinned and found to have accumulated no fat on the body at all. Hedgehogs have been recorded from all 10 km. squares in the Bristol district. 2. MOLE. Talpa europaea. A male trapped on g June was probably still undergoing its spring moult. Dark pigment on the flesh side of the skin, indicating areas of new growth, covered most of the dorsal surface except the middle of the back. The Mammal Society maps omitted records from ST36 but in fact, moles have been recorded from all Bristol district 10 km. squares. The inner limits of the mole’s distribution in the City of Bristol appear to be bounded north of the River Avon by King’s Weston Hill, Blaise Estate, Cribbs Causeway, Filton, Oldbury Court and Conham, and south of the river by St. Annes, Brislington, Whitchurch, Dundry and Ashton Park. This physical restriction of suburbia on the mole is revealed on a1 km. grid but lost on a 10 km. basis. 3. COMMON SHREW. Sorex araneus. Once again the value of examining discarded bottles for remains of small mammals was shown for this and other species. Because of the likelihood of vandalism, traps were not set on the Mammal Section’s survey of the Bristol Frome (FHR) but bottles provided useful records. Also recorded from Nailsea (HRH), Cromhall (NpH), Avon Gorge (FHR) and near Priddy (£jL) the last being a new 10 km. square record for ST54. MAMMAL SURVEY 143 4. PYGMY SHREW. Sorex minutus. Skulls found in bottles on banks of Bristol Frome (MsrM) and in Avon Gorge (FHR) and one trapped in garage at Nailsea (HRH). There have been very few records from Gloucestershire since 1965. 5. WATER SHREW. WNeomys fodiens. Trapped in a flap-trap at Winterbourne (AFJ), caught by a cat at Bath (js), skull found in barn owl pellet at Mark (£jL) and seen alive at Compton Dando, Littleton (ms), and Lower Marston, Frome (msrM). ‘The last two are new 10 km. square records for ST'59 and 74 respectively. 8. GREATER HORSESHOE BAT. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. An adult male found dead on Clifton Down in February (pay) had been ringed by R. D. Ransome in 1967 and had been ‘refound’ at Banwell in October and December 1967, and October 1968. It would have been 5 — 6 years old at death. M. Collins has continued to ring this species in Mendip caves. 11. WHISKERED BAT. Myotis mystacinus. One was caught in a mist net at Abbots’ Leigh on 30 September (TBs). 19. PIPISTRELLE. Pipistrellus pipistrellus. A male was captured whilst climbing up the side of an office building at Westbury-on- Trym on 19 April at 15.30 BST during warm, sunny weather (RGs). A bat had been seen on that wall during daytime in the previous week also. 21. COMMON LONG-EARED BAT. Plecotus auritus. Single specimens found dead at Stapleton in a church steeple (Mrs. C., RGS), at Saltford (zy — ident. R. E. Stebbings), and at Hawkes- bury Common (mjp). These are new 10 km. square records for ST 67, 66 and 78 respectively. Critical identification of this species is essential in view of the possibility of the occurrence of the grey long-eared bat P. austriacus (sp. no. 22) which has been recorded in Dorset. 24. FOX. Vulpes vulpes. The annual Fox Rally on 7 February resulted in 16 sightings of foxes, mainly around the Downs, between 0400 and o600 British Summer Time (msrm). Foxes were heard calling in north-west Bristol at midnight BST on 27 January (Fc) and 0400 BST on 21 October (jor). Four cubs were raised in an earth near Bath, two were observed suckling from the standing vixen on 11 May (£jL). Three cubs were seen outside an earth at Nailsea on 19 July (HRH), and a litter was raised in a garden at Clifton. Earths were reported in a disused boiler pipe duct at Brislington (FJB), in the grounds of a Bristol University Hall of Residence, and five were found along the banks of the Bristol Frome (msrm). A fox was killed by a train near Clifton Down (FHR) and 144 R. G. SYMES one caused a driver to swerve and crash his car at Downend. One was dozing in the sun on a ledge 50 ft. down the Avon Gorge (jrs) and a police inspector reported seeing 7 around the Downs be- tween 02.45 and 04.30 BST on 27 July (BEP). Other sightings by a number of people included two foxes which entered a garden together at Henleaze at 09.30 BST on g January (jcp), and two together on Kenn Moor at 12.25 BST on 23 January when the male attempted to mount the female (HRH). The headless body of a cat thought to have been killed by a fox was found at Westbury (mw) and a fox was seen carrying off a guinea pig from a garden at Blaise Dell (kjc). The Mammal Society maps omitted 10 km. square records from ST 46, 47 and 55. 27. STOAT. Mustela erminea. One seen alive on banks of River Brue (ST 34) and one found dead near R. Axe (ST 35) were new 10 km. square records (MsFM). One running on the mud beside Chew Valley Lake (RMc) was chased by two moorhens! 28. WEASEL. Mustela nivalis. Six records from Nailsea area (HRH) and one each from North Stoke (EjL), Sand Bay (Rmc), Horton (REK), Dursley (MAO) and Boxwell (mjp). The last three are new 10 km. square records for ST 78, 79 and 89 respectively. 29. POLECAT. Mustela putorius. Walton (1968) recorded pole- cats from Gloucestershire near Newent (SO 72), and just in Monmouthshire near Tintern (SO 50). These were recorded between 1959 and 1962. The most recent records from the Bristol district which can be regarded with any reliability appear to be that in Tetley (1941) of one killed about 1928 in Cheddar Gorge, and that in Tucker (1925) of one shot near Harptree about 1912. The only recent record from the Gloucestershire side seems to be doubtful, one identified from about 50 yards in 1933 near Wotton- under-Edge (Tetley 1941). During April 1971 a polecat was killed at Tortworth as it was leaving a conifer plantation near a lake (GAT). The skin and skull were examined by Dr. G. B. Corbet who con- firmed the identification, and they have now been deposited in the collection of the Bristol City Museum. As the species has been spreading in Wales in recent years (Walton 1968) further records would seem likely. Identification of this species is very critical as it is difficult to separate from a feral domesticated polecat-ferret, a specimen of which was killed on waste ground at Westbury-on- Trym after having been handled by several people during the previous three days (ros). The polecat record is a new 10 km. square record for ST 69. 30. AMERICAN MINK. Mustela vison. Recorded in Gloucester- shire on Little Avon and in Somerset at Nailsea Ponds (mju), at MAMMAL SURVEY 145 Kingston Seymour where a specimen was found decapitated (ms), at Nailsea Moor (HRH), and on Rivers Brue and Huntspill (Msrm). The Little Avon, and the last three Somerset records are new 10 km. square records for ST 69, 47, 44 and 34 respectively. The Mammal Society maps omitted a record for ST 56. 31. BADGER. Meles meles. A number of successful watches were held during April and May (Aryj, MsrM). ‘The Mammal Section now has records of over 160 setts in South Gloucestershire and 74 in North Somerset. The most complete information is available for ST 68 where over 50 setts are known. 3 cubs dug out of a sett near Wells on 20 February were reported to have had their eyes open, and 4 well-grown cubs were seen outside a sett at North Stoke on 13 May. A number of reports were received of dead badgers, mostly killed on roads, but one found at Westbury-on-Trym (rcs) and two near Weston-Super-Mare (jBw) had been snared, the wires in- flicting deep wounds in the bodies. Badgers in Bristol were reported to have eaten strawberries in a garden at Stoke Bishop and caused damage to fences at St. George. Badgers have been recorded from all 10 km. squares in the Bristol district. 32. OTTER. Lutra lutra. Stephens (1957) estimated that otters were numerous in the Somerset River Board Area and scarce in the Bristol Avon R.B.A. ‘The Mammal Society map has recent records from only two 10 km. squares in the Bristol district and one pre- 1960 record. In 1968 the Council for Nature and the Fauna Preservation Society asked the Mammal Society to investigate the status of the otter in view of the widespread belief that, especially in the south of England, numbers had declined seriously. Their interim report (Oryx 10, 16-22, May 1969) based largely on returns from otter hunts, concluded that in the area including the Bristol district the otter population was stationary with a slight increase shown in some parts of the Avon and a slight decrease in others. The Mammal Section had been unable to contribute much information on the otter’s status and active measures were taken in 1971 to rectify the situation. A weekend training course on identification of otter traces was held in Devon and members benefited greatly from the expert tuition of H. G. and Elaine Hurrell, Graham Moysey, and Nicholas and George Barbour. Subsequently surveys were conducted along substantial stretches of the Rivers Frome, Axe, Brue and Huntspill, largely with a view to noting likely sites for otter evidence such as spraints and tracks (mMsrm). Partial surveys were also undertaken by individuals (£jL, JBW, RGS) on other rivers in the area and survey meetings will be 146 R. G. SYMES held along these in the future. A useful list of likely check-points is accumulating and when completed it will be possible to survey entire stretches of several rivers in one day and so produce a more authoritative statement on the status of the otter in the Bristol district. 34. GREY SEAL. Halichoerus grypus. One was seen on the shore on 24 October at Weston-Super-Mare (jBw) and a photograph was published in the local paper (Nsm). This was a new non- breeding record for ST 36. A similar record for ST 35 was omitted from the Mammal Society map. 45. ROE-DEER. Capreolus capreolus. Slots and droppings recorded at Frances Plantation (EJL, JBw) and Rowberrow (£JL, MSFM). The Mammal Society map omitted previous records from ST 45 and 46. 48. CHINESE WATER DEER. Aydropotes inermis. A deer sighted at Filton (bjH per AFJ) was thought to be this species but there has been no confirmation. Whilst an escape from a private collection cannot be ruled out it is thought more likely that this could have been Chinese muntjac Munttacus reevest (sp. no. 47) which has been previously reported in the Bristol district (Symes, 1971). 53. BROWN HARE. Lepus capensis. Mr. J. M. Boyd, Joint Master of the Clifton Foot Harriers, considered that hares were scarcer in 1971 than in 1970, and that they were only found in numbers where there were arable crops, including roots and kale. Most records were from north-west Somerset, also Littleton, Corston, Wickwar, North Stoke and Priddy. 55. RABBIT. Oryctolagus cuniculus. Rabbits have been recorded from all 10 km. squares in the Bristol district. One adult and five young were seen in May in a lane at Over (cy). Myxomatosis was reported in Gloucestershire at Filton, Cribbs Causeway, Aust, Olveston, Avonmouth, Bristol, Westerleigh, Cam, Cromhall and Tortworth during the year. 56. RED SQUIRREL. Scirus vulgaris. During 1971 Field Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food surveyed all the parishes in the 10 km. squares where red squirrels were recorded during the last national survey, reported by Lloyd (1962). They also included parishes in the adjoining 10 km. squares. No red squirrels were recorded in the Bristol district. 57. GREY SQUIRREL. Sciurus carolinensis. Recorded in all 10 km. squares in the Bristol area. Reports were received from a number of localities in Bristol including Snuff Mills where a group of 12 — 20 was seen in February (HGH). At Friary Wood, Bath on MAMMAL SURVEY 147 11 September grey squirrels were found to be feeding on unripe hazel nuts and quantities of wheat from an adjoining field (EjL). 62. WOOD-—MOUSE. Apfodemus sylvaticus. Skulls found in bottles at Leigh Woods (rs), on banks of Bristol Frome (Msrm) and Avon Gorge (FHR). 6 were trapped at Ashton Court (FHR, MSFM), g at Cromhall (NpH) and 13 at Friary Wood (£JL), this last locality being a new 10 km. record for ST 75. An adult and five naked, blind young were forked out of a nest in a compost heap on 18 April at Nailsea (HRH). The Mammal Society map omitted records from Si 47,74 and 76. 63. YELLOW —- NECKED MOUSE. Apfodemus flavicollis. Eighteen specimens were trapped at Cromhall between 7 June and 4 October (NPH). These replace the pre-1960 record for ST 69 on the Mammal Society map. One trapped at Rowberrow (£JL, MSFM) was the only small mammal caught in 40 traps! This unusually low catch may have been due to the fact that all the traps were washed after the previous meeting, thus removing any scent which might have proved attractive. Rowe (1970) suggested that trap odour is a factor capable of influencing the likelihood of trapping success and biasing field trapping data. A record of a yellow-necked mouse trapped at Bath in 1961 (RH) is a new 10 km. square record for Sl 76. 64. HOUSE- MOUSE. Mus musculus. ‘Two trapped in a garage at Nailsea (HRH) were the only records received. 65. BLACK RAT. Rattus rattus. 9 of 11 trapped alive on Avon- mouth Docks were of the frugivorous variety (grey-brown above, pale underneath) and 2 were rattus variety (black above, dark underneath). A female frugivorous had a litter of 8, all frugivorous variety. The Mammal Society map omitted a colony of more than 40 black rats which were present for several months at Yatton ST 46, and also omitted records from Sharpness SO 60. 66. BROWN RAT. Rattus norvegicus. Reported from Friary Wood, Kennet and Avon Canal (E£jL), banks of Bristol Frome, Rivers Axe and Huntspill (msrm). Over 120 were killed in a malting in Bristol (rcs). Brown rats have been recorded from all 10 km. squares in the Bristol district. 67. BANK-VOLE. Clethrionomys glareolus. Trapped and seen at Cromhall (NpH), Pipley Bottom and Friary Wood (£jL). These are new 10 km. square records for ST 69, 75 and 76 respectively. 68. WATER-VOLE. Arvicola terrestris. Sightings or evidence from Wellow Brook ST 75 (EjLt) and Rivers Frome ST 85 (£jL), Brue, Axe, Huntspill, Bristol Frome (mMsrm) and Cambrook, and Chew 148 R. G. SYMES Valley Lake (Rmc). Remains found in heron pellet at Cleeve (jrs). Those 10 km. squares are new records. 69. FIELD-VOLE. Microtus agrestis. Skulls in bottles found at Avon Gorge (FHR), tunnels and piles of grass seen on edge of River Frome (MsFM) and Friary Wood, and one seen alive at Beckington (EJL). These last two are new 10 km. records for ST 75. 86. PORPOISE. Phocoena phocoena. Several sightings of this species off the end of Brean Down were reported (BR) . . . Two or three were seen moving up channel on g July, one on 21 July, four on 25 July, one on 6 August and one on 8 August. Matthews (1941) gave an account of sightings and strandings of porpoises and other marine mammals in the Bristol Channel. Thirty species were positively recorded in the Bristol district in 1971. Those not recorded but shown as present on the Mammal Society’s maps, or known from previous records include harvest- mouse, dormouse, 2 species of deer, 7 species of bats and a variety of marine mammals. It is hoped that more members of the Society will take an active interest in mammals and record the type of information contained in this report. REFERENCES Corbet, G. B. 1964. The Identification of British Mammals. British Museum (Nat. Hist.), London. Corbet, G. B. 1971. Provisional distribution maps of British mammals. Mammal Review 1 (4/5), 95-142. Lloyd, H. G. 1962. The distribution of squirrels in England and Wales, 1959. 7. Anim. Ecol. 31, 157-166. Matthews, L. H. 1941 (for 1940). Studies on the Biology of the Bristol Channel. VI. The marine mammals of the Bristol Channel. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc. 9, 231-250. Rowe, F. P. 1970. The response of wild house mice (Mus musculus) to live-traps marked by their own and by a foreign mouse odour. 7. |! 0104 30 3ONNId q22— so3a 40 diq SS = Gore eae SNITDILNY —O— 771HAOOM? ANITONAS —X— gq oe .” . Qauvasnt inavs. S- (aAoqd g 89S) G-Y AYNSOdX]a 3GISGVOY 3O HIL|XS ‘9D LN3WdO13AR0 JO SLISR 4 Za $038 GANYNLYAAO 4O did 08% 5 é 4 LM OMA | si Gage Li Gas “ae Vv ZY Yeo C4: V 77 ws LOGY; ‘aa eer hip ip a; oa AN Lg ae LOLA Ko hor GOON bg 4 pie Ea : \4A inedis WVHNAXOIL M!H woyuayoi 1 THIH LYNOD Bs Aanqpog r a 176 Fig. 5. A. B. HAWKINS 150 1000 FT. | Relief of the Tickenham Hill col. Taken from Freeman Fox Drawing 530/P1/2.44. GORGES OF BRISTOL DISTRICT 177 Till has not been seen in this valley, otherwise the deposit resembles that at Court Hill where till has been examined. Keynsham Gorge (Fig. 6) For more than six miles upstream from Chewton Place (ST 656669) the River Chew meanders freely across a flood plain, in places 300 yds. (270m.) wide. Downstream between the confluence with a western tributary and the weir, the flood plain suddenly narrows and the steep sides give a gorge-like impression. There is no apparent geological reason why the easterly flowing River Chew should turn abruptly to the north at Compton Dando. No fault has been proved in the Chew gorge, despite examination during the building of the Keynsham Bypass (Hawkins, 1966). ‘The shape of the gorge is obviously strongly influenced by the resistant Blue Lias limestones, but these also continue to occur as a “‘roof rock’’ south of Chewton Place and hence cannot explain the abrupt change of morphology seen in that locality. Rickford Gorge (Fig. 6) The 200 ft. (60m.) deep, dry, meandering Rickford Gorge is very attractive. The southern side of the gorge continues the general Mendip line (Hawkins & Kellaway 1971), while to the north, Combe Lodge Hill protrudes as a spur. The gorge, incised through the Dolomitic Conglomerate spur, has no catchment and is left abandoned, 150 ft. (46m.) above the Yeo Valley which is less than a mile away. Whatley Gorge (Fig. 6) This name has been given to the 100 ft. (30m.) deep gorge on Fordbury Water, between Cranmore and Whatley. A_ large actively worked quarry is situated at the abrupt upstream end of the gorge where it breaches the Carboniferous Limestone through Asham Wood. Downstream, the valley opens as it crosses the Lower Limestone Shales before steepening again as it passes from the Old Red Sandstone back into the Black Rock Group in the vicinity of Whatley quarry. The catchment area of the river is less than 5 square miles, and even if supplemented by spring water, it is unlikely that it would have been sufficient to erode the gorge. ORIGINS OF THE GORGES From the above discussions, there are two types of gorge in the Bristol district; those such as Hanham and Frenchay, roughly parallel to the strike, while the others breach hill ridges almost at 178 A. B. HAWKINS right angles to the strike. ‘The Hanham and Frenchay gorges also differ from the others (except the Keynsham) in being lower, eroded into the Pennant Series and having valley floors not far beneath the basal Trias unconformity. During the last three years, evidence has been found to suggest that much of North Somerset has been glaciated (Hawkins & Kellaway 1971). The first evidence was from trenches in the Kenn area where till-like deposits and a sand containing some cool water foraminiferids were found in August 1969. As a result of a careful study of the sewer trenches through the ““Burtle Beds’’ at Kenn, glacially striated Carboniferous Limestone boulders, weighing up to 12 cwts. (600 kilograms) were located. The first large till mass was found by D. D. Gilbertson in April 1970 during the widening of the New Cut. The same month, G. A. Kellaway and the author, examining the M5 Motorway excavations on Court Hill, found glacial deposits in the col. Thus, during early 1970, two advances were made: the realisation, first, that the Kenn deposits were really a glacial sequence of till and outwash gravel, marginally overlain in parts by a marine sand and secondly that channels, now infilled with sand and gravel, breached the Tickenham Ridge. The 60 ft. (18m.) deep excavation at Court Hill was mainly through gravels composed of rounded to sub-rounded Carboniferous Limestone, Triassic sandstone, sub-angular Cretaceous chert and occasional Pennant sandstone. The gravels vary in size from coarse sand to cobbles 2 ft. (o-6m.) across; the variation often giving a stratification which is seen to dip northwards at 37°. Trimmer (1853, p. 284) referred to calcreted glacial gravels on Court Hill and, although this has been almost forgotten or discounted in the intervening years, he has been proved correct. Reddish till has been seen on the eastern side of the cut within the gravels, about 15 ft. (4:6m.) from the surface and also up to 1 ft. 6 ins. (0-5m.) thick in some places beneath the gravels, overlying a medium grade cross- bedded sand. The sand has yielded nine species of Jurassic and Cretaceous foraminiferids, identified by Dr. J. W. Murray. On the western side, rounded coarse gravels and cobbles with a high percentage of Greensand chert were seen to interfinger with the sands in a 14 ft. (4-3m.) deep trench. These lower sands have been proved to be at least 25 ft. (8m.) thick. From many boreholes it is known that the deepest part of the rock valley is at about 163 ft. | (49:7m.) O.D. The discovery of the Court Hill Channel was of | major importance and, as a result, a study was made of the Ticken- ham Ridge to locate similar features. It was soon found that the “Triassic”? deposits mapped by the Institute of Geological Sciences in the Tickenham Hill Valley were really post-Cretaceous at the 179 GORGES OF BRISTOL DISTRICT ATCA TH WeyUeyOLT, = ATLL “APA HH MOD = AHO “A272 VoITEM = AM 7X9} 9Y} UT 0} porToyor so OgINaMOUL ca, 436105 pysuhsy ¥ * dog ‘uopnog uopara|D SDJ VW Torsiye Forte CR a) rk 26109 cas eps inte oe oe yy As : VOI | OGY a, G3: : 26169 BS » Aanquay/, Injeoj Surmoys deur jorpay °g “BIT 00S 400 FE UOISIBAIP |DIDD|9 ka pasnoo sefi0og q— jUaWdAO 89] POWNSSY <—qgene ULBNIDS 180 A. B. HAWKINS oldest, because they contained Greensand chert and Jurassic and Cretaceous foraminiferids. ‘The presence of till in the Court Hill Channel confirmed their Pleistocene age. The Clevedon Area. In this area there are two gorges, the East Clevedon Gap and the Tickenham Valley, an infilled gorge (the Court Hill Valley) and a valley with no catchment area (the Walton Valley). The rock floor of the Court Hill Valley has been proved to be not higher than 163 ft. (49:7m.) O.D. and therefore, the deepest part probably descends to about 160 ft. (4qgm.) O.D. The depth of the Tickenham Hill Valley is not known but proved by a borehole to be lower than 245 ft. (75m.) O.D. The sudden break of slope on the south side, between 230 ft. (7om.) and 240 ft. (73m.) probably indicates a change in geology. A rock floor at this height would be in accordance with the topography in the northern part and until further evidence is available, a height of 240 ft. (73m.) O.D. for the southern end of the valley is suggested. In the Walton Valley (Fig. 3), the western end is at 145 ft. (44m.) O.D. within 270 yds (247m.) of the present coast. Therefore, in each case, the valley head at 145 ft. (44m.), 160 ft. (49m.) and 240 ft. (73m.) has no catchment and it is consequently very difficult to explain them without involving glaciation. The presence of till in the only excavated valley confirms this and, for the author, ends the speculation about the possible glacia- tion of this part of Somerset. Following this, although no positive evidence is available, it is now possible to suggest a glacial origin for the East Clevedon Gap. This gorge, however, is different from the others in having a rock floor to at least —-18 ft. (-5:5m.) O.D.; comparable in maximum depth to the Clifton Gorge (—39°3 ft. (-12m.) O.D.), but with no surface stream in contrast to the big tidal river of the Clifton Gorge. Considering the small size of the Vale of Gordano, the rock floor at its seaward end is both deeper, —44 ft. (-13.4m) O.D. (Hawkins 1968, p. 423) and wider than would be anticipated. However, if vast quantities of glacial melt- water from ice impinging on the ridges escaped through here, these dimensions are more understandable. The thick sand described by Jefferies, Willis & Yemm (1968) in the Vale of Gordano is there- fore probably a glacial outwash deposit and not an estuarine sand. This explanation would also account for the sparsity of any foramini- ferids and the absence of Recent species. The Henbury Gorge. As described earlier, the River Trym, in- stead of taking a direct route across the ‘Triassic rocks via Hallen to the Severn, turns south near the old Henbury Station and GORGES OF BRISTOL DISTRICT 181 breaches the Carboniferous Limestone ridge. With the glacial evidence in the Severn Beach area and the finding of till veneering the Trias beneath the alluvium in the Shirehampton area (Hawkins, m.s.) there is little doubt that in the past, ice would have penetrated at least to the steep hillslopes along the east of the Severn alluvium. Thus, any westerly flowing stream would have been at least tem- porarily diverted. It is not yet possible to explain the col occupied by Henbury Road. The Clifton Gorge. The evidence at Kenn and the valleys with no catchment in the Clevedon area indicate that glaciers came this far into Somerset. ‘Trimmer (1853, p. 284) mentions the deposit at Yatton while Greenly (1919, p. 145) compares the vast spreads of superficial material (indicated as Head on I.G.S. Geological Sheet 264) in the Claverham and Yatton areas to till. Referring to the deposits east of Yatton Station and in the Little River at North End, he states (p. 147), “In fact, the formation recalls the true boulder-clays, but the extreme rarity of striated stones, the feeble- ness of the striations, and the almost total absence of erratics, forbid us to regard it as such’’. The present exposures reveal sub-rounded to rounded gravel with some cobbles, mainly of Carboniferous Limestone, but with subsidiary Carboniferous chert, sandstone, White Lias, quartz, Cretaceous flint and chert in a silty sand matrix. The base of the deposit is highly irregular, while the gravels have frost wedges and are cryoturbated. One gravel mass, about 15 ins. (0-4m.) in diameter is seen, in the river bank, to be surrounded by what appears to be weathered green Keuper Marl. The presence of the included gravels, however, suggests that this may be another till deposit; similar to that at the New Blind Yeo Drain at Manmoor Lane and Kingston Seymour Bridge where what appeared to be Keuper Marl was found to contain modern marine shells, and Liassic limestones and Greensand chert respectively. Unfortunately, deposits, marked as Head on the I.G.S. geological maps, in the Flax Bourton region have not been exposed recently. However, Kellaway (1967) records Greensand chert at Ashton Park in what “had previously been thought to be undisturbed Keuper Marl’’. These deposits will be recorded in more detail in the future. With this support it is reasonable to argue that past ice would have blocked the area between the Tickenham Ridge and Broadfield Down. Hawkins & Kellaway (1971) suggest that the Providence Valley (Fig. 6), another valley with no catchment, indicates that the ice reached at least to Long Ashton, hence blocking the Flax Bourton Gap, diverting the River Avon to the lowest alternative outlet and so creating the Clifton Gorge. 182 A. B. HAWKINS Rickford, Burrington and Keynsham Gorges. Recent examination of some temporary exposures of the Head deposits in the Churchill area has led to a re-interpretation of their origin. Near the new Churchill Comprehensive School (ST 436600) up to 3 ft. (o-9m.) of sub-rounded to rounded gravel and cobbles, mainly of sandstone but also containing Carboniferous Limestone, quartz and some Greensand chert can be seen in a highly weathered, iron and manganese stained, silty sand. However, within 10 yds. the deposit changes and consists mainly of sand. The variability and nature of the deposits both here and at the other temporary ex- posures in the area which are marked as Head on the I.G.S. geo- logical map (Sheet 280) closely resemble till. It is therefore suggested that at least some of the deposits marked as Head are till; it is impossible to say more, until further exposures allow more of the deposits to be examined. Hawkins & Kellaway (1971, p. 289) have suggested that the Rickford Valley has a glacial origin, the most plausible hypothesis to explain this valley with no catchment. Accepting this, and that the Bleadon deposits are fluvio-glacial (Findlay, Hawkins & Lloyd 1972), it is possible also that the river which eroded Burrington Combe was blocked from taking its natural westerly outlet to Dolebury owing to the presence of ice in the Winscombe Vale, hence diverting the river and eroding the present gorge. It is envisaged that before this early ice diversion the headwater of the Chew/Yeo rivers would have been the westerly valley which enters the present Chew system at Chewton Place, Keynsham; the river Chew then flowing westwards. The blocking of the Yeo/Chew valley, however, caused an overflow channel to form in the Keynsham area. With the change in direction, following the ice recession, the region around Bickfield Farm between Blagdon and Chew Reser- voirs, became the new watershed separating the two rivers/catch- ments. The giant stones of Stanton Drew, some of which are 27 tons (27 tonnes) in weight, may indicate the approximate limit of an ice advance up this valley. The large rocks, examined by G. A. Kellaway and the author, consist of silicified Dolomitic Conglomerate (from Broadfield Down), Old Red Sandstone, Dundry Freestone and sarsen. If the megalith builders brought these stones from their source regions, then why did they fetch stones only from the west and not include any Triassic Sandstone or Pennant Sandstone which outcrop closer to the east (Kellaway 1971, p. 34)? It 1s believed that the stones were glacially deposited within this region in a moraine, before being collected and used to build the monu- ment. Hautville’s Quoit remains apart from the other stones today. GORGES OF BRISTOL DISTRICT 183 Grinsell (1969) notes that it is in line with The Cove and the Great Circle and that it has been reduced in size for road mending, while the second stone has been totally removed. It may have been placed there for some reason not yet clear to the archaeologist; it may have been dropped “‘in transit” or alternatively, it may never have been moved from its morainic position. The Whatley Gorge. Evidence for glaciation south of the Mendips comes from Brent Knoll (Kellaway 1971, p. 30) and Bleadon Hill (Findlay, Hawkins & Lloyd 1972, in press). Kellaway also reported chalk, flint, chert, sandstone and Carboniferous Limestone and Jurassic Limestone pebbles in a sandy clay matrix at Holwell, within half a mile of the Whatley Gorge and suggested it was a relic till. Similar pebbles, apart from the chalk, occur in the soil removed before quarrying at Whatley, while the 1:10,560 I.G.S. geological sheets refer to ““much chert’? near Whatley Bridge and ‘“‘sands and gravels of unknown age” on Fuller’s Earth Rock in the Great Elm area. This, plus the ““Brown, grey and green silt with brash of spicular chert nodules possibly of Upper Greensand origin’ from such areas as East End, Stoke St. Michael (6” I.G.S. geological sheet ST 64 NE) and the big well-rounded boulders of sandstone and occasional limestone weighing up to about 8 cwts. (400 kg.) which are overlying Black Rock Limestone, seen in the valley at Combe Farm (ST 733462, 6” I.G.S. geological sheet ST’ 74NW) support the theory that the area has been glaciated. It is suggested, therefore, that the Whatley Gorge was not entirely cut by the Fordbury Water, but was accentuated by meltwater discharge from ice in this region. The Limpley Stoke Gorge is less satisfactorily explained. It is prob- able that the early headwater of the River Avon occupied the Box Valley prior to the cutting of the gorge (Hawkins & Kellaway 1971, p. 278). Recently, the deposits on Bathampton Down and Kingsdown, which are either side of the gorge, have been examined in temporary exposures and interpreted as of glacial origin. This _ suggests that an early ice advance reached this area. However, if the gorge is to be accounted for by glacial diversion, then it is necessary to stipulate the blocking of many other (at present lower) outlets such as the Vale of White Horse c. 290 ft. (88m.) O.D., Bruton Gap at c. 370 ft. (110m.) O.D. and the Vale of Pewsey at c. 380 ft. (115m.) O.D. AGE OF THE GORGES It is difficult to date the age of the diversions described above. The only two pieces of evidence are, firstly, that in the Kenn area 184 A. B. HAWKINS the glacial deposits are partially overlain by marine sand, hence _ they are probably pre-Ipswichian and, secondly, that in the case of the Flax Bourton Gap the lowest point is at about 155 ft. (47m.) O.D. Hence, if we accept the normal sea level chronology, the diversion must have been in the Middle Pleistocene. The following names are given to the periods in the Middle and Upper Quaternary, partly after West (1968, p. 230):— > Holocene Flandrian lad < Weichselian, Devensian, Wurm, Last Glaciation 77 Upper Ipswichian, Eemian, Last Interglacial o Wolstonian, Gipping, Saale, Riss a Pleistocene — — Hoxnian, Great Interglacial =a Lowestoftian, Elster, Mindel < Middle Cromerian =) Beestonian Ol Pastonian At present there are no known Weichselian deposits east of the Severn Estuary, although they do occur in the Newport—Cardiff area (Bowen 1970, p. 198). Despite much speculation, the heights of the interglacial sea levels are not known. However, it is generally agreed that the Ipswichian level was not above 50 ft. (15m.) O.D. and the Hoxnian not above 80 ft. (24m.) O.D. It is almost impossible even to speculate on the height before the Lowestoftian Glaciation. This means, however, that the Avon flowed westward through the Flax Bourton Gap at some time in the Middle Pleistocene. The Lowestoftian is the earliest known glaciation in Britain and therefore, until further evidence is available, it is better to consider that it was this glaciation which blocked the Flax Bourton Gap and was indirectly responsible for cutting the many gorges. The later Wolstonian Glaciation reached into the lowlands of Somerset, but probably did not extend as far as the glacial limits shown in Fig. 6. The lowland glacial deposits of the Kenn area, however, are prob- ably Wolstonian in age. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author is grateful for financial support received from the Natural Environment Research Council (N.E.R.C.) and thanks Miss S. L. Pritchard and D. D. Gilbertson; G. A. Kellaway of I.G.S.; and M. G. Lewis and C. S. Morgan of Freeman Fox and Partners, who gave time for many helpful discussions. Mrs. Gregory is thanked for drawing the diagrams and J. W. Murray for identify- ing the foraminiferids. GORGES OF BRISTOL DISTRICT 185 REFERENCES Bowen, D. Q. 1970. South-East and Central South Wales in ““The Glaciations of Wales and Adjoining Regions’’. Ed. C. A. Lewis. Longman, 378 pp. Bradshaw, R.1966. The Avon Gorge. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc.,31, 203-220. Findlay, D. C., Hawkins, A. B. and Lloyd, C. R. 1972. A Gravel Deposit on Bleadon Hill, Mendip, Somerset. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc., 13 (in press). Greenly, E. 1919. Some Geological Studies at Clevedon, Somerset. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., 5, 138-144. Greenly, E. 1922. An Aeolian Pleistocene Deposit at Clevedon. Geol. Mag., 59, 365-376, 414-421. Grinsell, L. V. 1969. Stanton Drew Stone Circles. Min. of Pub. Works Pamphlet. Harmer, F. W. 1907. On the Origin of Certain Canon-like Valleys associated with Lake-like Areas of Depression. Q. Jl. geol. Soc. Lond., 63, 470-514. Hawkins, A. B. 1962. The Buried Channel of the Bristol Avon. Geol. Mag., 99, 369-374. Hawkins, A. B. 1966. The Geology of the Keynsham Bypass. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., 31, 195-202. Hawkins, A. B. 1968. The Geology of the Portbury Area. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., 31, 421-428. Hawkins, A. B. and Kellaway, G. A. 1971. Field Meeting at Bristol and Bath with Special Reference to New Evidence of Glacia- tion. Proc. Geol. Ass., 82, 267-292. Jeffries, R. L., Willis, A. J. and Yemm, E. W. 1968. The Late and Post-Glacial History of the Gordano Valley, North Somerset. New Phytol., 67, 335-348. Kellaway, G. A. 1967. The Geological Survey Ashton Park Bore- hole and its bearing on the geology of the Bristol District. Bull. Geol. Surv., no. 27, 49-153. Kellaway, G. A. 1971. Glaciation and the Stones of Stonehenge. Nature, 232, 30-35. Reynolds, S. H. 1916. The Carboniferous Limestone Series of the Area Between Clifton and Clevedon. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., 4, 186-197. Smith, R. A. 1963. The geomorphology of South Gloucestershire. Ph.D. Thesis, Bristol (unpublished). Trimmer, J. 1853. On the Southern Termination of the Erratic Tertiaries; and on the Remains of a Bed of Gravel on the Summit of Clevedon Down, Somersetshire. Q. Jl. geol. Soc. Lond., 9, 282-286. West, R. G. 1968. Pleistocene Geology and Biology. Longmans, 377 pp. PRESIDENTS WILLIAM SANDERS HENRY E. FRIPP Le GEORGE FORSTER BURDER .. JOHN BEDDOE Professor WILLIAM RAMSAY Rev. THOMAS HINCKS .. EF Professor C. LLOYD MORGAN .. Professor ADOLPH LEIPNER Professor SYDNEY YOUNG S. H. SWAYNE a Professor C. LLOYD MORGAN is ARTHUR B. PROWSE Cc. K. RUDGE JAMES W. WHITE G. MUNRO SMITH Miss I. M. ROPER G. C. GRIFFITHS .. ERNEST (later Sir Ernest) H. COOK H. WOMERSLEY Professor O. V. DARBISHIRE JAMES RAFTER A. L. FLEMMING .. J. W. TUTCHER : ce F. S. WALLIS ee oe ie Professor O. V. DARBISHIRE ee ae G. E. J. McMURTRIE Professor MACGREGOR SKENE H. TETLEY Sir LEWIS L. FERMOR F. W. EVENS H. H. DAVIS Professor W. F. WHITTARD J. H. SAVORY R. BASSINDALE Miss M. H. ROGERS F. COLES PHILLIPS H. H. DAVIS R. J. G. SAVAGE A. F. DEVONSHIRE F. R. STERNE Be Be ae ae R. BRADSHAW a Ae it ae ay S. M. TAYLOR The dates given are ots of bation’ to anes MEMBERSHIP OF THE BRISTOL NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY Anyone interested in Natural History may apply to join the Society as a Full member. The annual subscription is £2:-00. Members of the household of a Full Member may become members for an annual subscription of 75p. Persons residing outside a radius of twenty miles from the City Centre of Bristol qualify for a reduced annual subscription of £1. There are also Junior membership facilities for persons between the ages of 12 and 18 years at the reduced subscription of 50p. A prospectus giving fuller details of the privileges of the various classes of membership may be obtained from the Honorary Treasurer:— P. J. M. NETHERCOTT, 6 HazELwoop Court, HazELwoop Roap, BRISTOL BSQ IPU PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRISTOL NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY The Society has stocks of back numbers of most annual parts of the Proceedings which may be purchased at the price of 25p per part (except parts of Vol. 30 which are 4op and of Vol. 31 which are 75p), postage extra. Application should be made to the Honorary Librarian, Bristol Naturalists’ Society, City Museum, Bristol 8. In addition, the undermentioned papers from the Proceedings may be obtained from the Honorary Librarian:— A Revised List of the Birds of the Bristol District by H. H. Davis, reprinted from Proc., 1947. Price 25p, postage extra. A Centenary History of the Bristol Naturalists’ Society 1862- 1962, being Part IIIA of Proc., 1961. Price 25p, postage extra. 5 06.F2 VOLUME 32, PART 3 PRICE ONE POUND 1972 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Bristol Naturalists’ Society EpireD By J. W. COWIE ASSISTED BY A COMMITTEE “Rerum cognoscere causas”—Virgil PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY AT THE BURLEIGH PRESS, BRISTOL Issued r4th September, 1973 [ Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc. | 32,03) | pp. 187314 | 1973 | All matter for inclusion in the next issue of the Proceedings should be sent to:— Dr. J. W. Cowr, DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL, QUEEN’s BUILDING, UniversITY WALK, BRISTOL, BS8 ITR NOT LATER THAN FEB. 28. Other instructions for authors appear on Contents page. All Books, Pamphlets, Reports of Proceedings sent by way of exchange, gift or otherwise, and all correspondence relating thereto and to purchases of the Society’s publications should be addressed 08 Hon. LrprariAn, Bristot Nat. Soc., THE City Museum, BRISTOL, BSS IRL Applications for membership of the Society should be addressed to the Hon. Treasurer:— P. J. M. NerHeErcottT, Esq., 6 HazELwoop Court, Hazeitwoop Roap, BRISTOL, BSQ IPU Enquiries concerning Field Meetings should be made of the Hon. Secretary, Field Committee:-— Dr. A. F. DEVONSHIRE, 59 FALCONDALE Roap, WESTBURY-ON- ['RYM, BRISTOL, BSQ 3jP All other communications should be addressed to the Hen. Secretary :— Miss A. HECKELS, B.Sc., 8 RIDGEWOOD, KNOLL HILL, SNEYD PARK, BRISTOL The SOCIETY’S LIBRARY is housed in the City Museum and is available to members between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5.30 p-m. on weekdays. VOLUME 32, PART 3. 1973 CONTENTS PAGE Council .. ae a ay v 7 ie ai .. » 388 Report of Council ov: bas af ws banter SS oh .. 189 Librarian’s Report a. in a ee = .. 189 Hon. Treasurer’s Statement of Accounts... ss bx 3 .. 190 Report of Entomological Section sé $6 - Ae ore .. IQ! Report of Botanical Section .. “as = dag a Bs os ¥O% Report of Geological Section .. ws ne ae a os b+ 1G2 Report of Ornithological Section ae ate i ae i .. 192 Report of Mammal Section .. 2 a 2s ey! of a abs Account of the General Meetings... a ae oe a set 198 Report of the Conservation Committee ae ae oe - -. 194 Obituary ae ae a An = we = .. 196 Membership List. ae a be 2 i 197 Bristol Botany in 1972, by feNy af Willis rm ie Sis ae ee , 215 Bristol Bird Report, 1972 225 Lepidoptera Notes, Bristol District, 1972- by ALN. "Grose, Kon - Poole, J. M. Boyd and J. A. Wightman er 251 Mammal Survey, Bristol District, 1972, by Roe Symes oe 257 The Lichen Flora of the Lead Mines at Charterhouse, Mendip Hills, by D. H. Brown .. : 267 Draycott Stone and Marble, Somerset, by F.S. Wallis .. 275 A Preliminary Survey of the Littoral Fauna at Four Sites on the Southern Shore of the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary, by M. P. Hill-Cottingham .. : a .. 281 Bupleurum Lancifolium Hornem. and B. Rotundifolium Wi. (Umbelliferae) in Bristol and Elsewhere, by T. E. T. Bond 285 The Development of the ‘“‘Flap’’ Trap for Live- catching Small Mammals, by A. F. Jayne. **-"* 291 Shear Zones and Veins in the Garboniterous limestone near ihe Observatory, Clifton, by Paul L. Hancock ae: , ss au ae -s 207 Book Review: “Snow and Storm on Exmoor” 306 The Pennant Sandstone of Portishead, po J. T. G. Stead and B. P. J. Oo WD Up Williams... 307 INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS . All matter offered for publication in the ‘‘PROcEEDINGS’ must be sent as directed on p. 2 of cover of current issue. . To ensure consideration for inclusion in the next issue, contributions must be received not later than February 28. . All copy must be type-written with double spacing and good margins. . Copy submitted is not returnable and authors are advised to keep a duplicate. . At the discretion of the Hon. Editor, contributors may be required to furnish short abstracts of their communications, for printing as summaries. Photos and drawings supplied for illustrations will be returned. The copyright of all published matter shall be the property of the Society, whose Council has power to permit reproduction. . Authors shall be entitled to 25 copies of their papers (without covers), free of charge. NV.B.—AUTHORS ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCURACY OF THEIR ARTICLES. THE SOCIETY Is A SIGNATORY TO THE Farr CopyinG DECLARATION, DETAILS OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ROYAL SOCIETY, 6 CARLTON HousE TERRACE, Lonpon SWrY 5AG. A 187 COUNCIL 1972 OFFICERS: PRESIDENT: Mrs. A. J. HOLLOWELL, M.A., A.M.A. ; PAST PRESIDENTS: F. S. WALLIS, Ph.D., D.Sc. R. J. G. SAVAGE, Pp F. W. EVENS A. F. DEVONSHIRE, H. H. DAVIS, M.B.O.U. M.A., Ph.D. R. BASSINDALE, M.Sc. F. R. STERNE iss M. H. ROGERS, M.A. R. BRADSHAW, M.Sc. Prof. F. COLES PHILLIPS, S. M. TAYLOR, MA., Ph.D. B.Sc., M.I.Mech.E. VICE-PRESIDENTS: H. G. HOCKEY Mrs. D. G. HILL-COTTINGHAM, B.Sc., M.I.Biol. HON. TREASURER: HON. AUDITOR: P. J. M. NETHERCOTT A. E. BILLETT HON. SECRETARY: Miss A. HECKELS, B.Sc. HON. CIRCULATION SECRETARIES: Mr. C. S. CARLILE and Mr. J. G. PRINCE HON. BULLETIN SECRETARY: D. W. B. FROST CHAIRMAN, FIELD COMMITTEE: H. G. HOCKEY HON. SECRETARY, FIELD COMMITTEE: A. F. DEVONSHIRE, M.A., Ph.D. HON. LIBRARIAN: Miss J. M. SCHERR, B.A., A.L.A. HON. EDITOR: J. W. COWIE, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.G.S. HON. SCHOOLS LIAISON OFFICER: Mrs. A. J. HOLLOWELL, M.A., A.M.A. CHAIRMAN CONSERVATION COMMITTEE: K. T. BATTY OFFICERS OF SECTIONS: BOTANICAL: President—A. F. DEVONSHIRE, M.A., Ph.D. Hon. Secretary—Miss I. F. GRAVESTOCK, B.A. ENTOMOLOGICAL: President—T. B. SILCOCKS, F.C.A. Hon. Secretary—G. R. BEST GEOLOGICAL: President—A. E. FREY, B.A. Hon. Secretary—A. B. HAWKINS, B.Sc., F.G.S. JUNIOR: President—C. E. D. SMITH, Ph.D. Hon. Secretary—K. COOK. Hon. Membership Secretary—Miss D. M. BUSSELL MAMMAL: President—R. G. SYMES Hon. Secretary—Miss E. J. LENTON ORNITHOLOGICAL: President—P. J. CHADWICK Hon. Secretary—H. R. H. LANCE OTHER MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: J. BARRETT Mrs. S. C. SAVAGE Mrs. N. M. BENNETT R. G. SYMES, B.Sc. Dr. D. G. HILL-COTTINGHAM G. SWEET N. P. HUMPHRIS J. D. R. VERNON A. F. JAYNE S. rof. M. SKENE, D.Sc., F.L.S. B.Sc., Ph.D., F.L.S. H Ex-Officio the Professors of Botany, GEOLOGY and ZooLocy at the UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL 189 REPORT OF COUNCIL, 1972 affiliated Societies. The Annual General Meeting elected Mrs. A. J. Hollowell as President and the other Officers and Members of Council. The Annual Dinner was held in March in the Senior Common Room of the University after which our guest speaker, Dr. D. A. Bassett, gave a talk on ““The Characteristics of Geologists’. In December the Society held a Wine and Cheese Party in the Red Lodge, this was a well attended and successful event. The Society has reprinted an article from our Proceedings on the Cheddar Gorge Survey. This is now available for sale in pamphlet form at the Bristol Museum and elsewhere. A course of eight meetings on ‘Some principles of local ecology”’ was arranged by the Department of Extra-Mural Studies, University of Bristol, in conjunction with the Society. The W.E.A. arranged a series of eight lectures given by a panel of speakers provided by our Society on ‘“‘Topics in Ornithology’’. A decision was made to rejoin the South West Naturalists’ Union after an interval of several years. Talks continue with local Natural History Trusts con- cerning possible implications of local government boundary changes. We regret we have to report the deaths of Dr. A. M. G. Campbell and Mrs. V. Dennison. AUDREY HECKELS, Hon. Secretary. ck. membership now stands at 807 including 78 juniors. There are 12 LIBRARIAN’S REPORT, 1972 than the previous year; and 407 books and journal volumes were borrowed by 62 different people. We hope this encouraging increase in the use of the library will continue, as more and more members realise its value. In order to provide much-needed space, the society’s collection of little-used foreign journals is being checked with a view to their possible sale. The Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History was sold to. the University of Bristol in the summer. The proceeds of this sale are to be used to build up the bookstock of the library, with emphasis on general natural history, including ecology and con- servation. Several new books have therefore been ordered for the library this year. The Society is also very grateful for gifts of books from Mr. Batty and Mr. Taylor, and particularly so to Miss Brannon, who donated over forty books, mainly on botanical subjects. We are, as always, indebted to the Director of the City Museum, Bristol, and to the Librarian-in-charge of the Queen’s Building Library, University of Bristol, for their assistance, and for providing the library with accommodation. [sua te 1972, the Society’s library was visited on 90 occasions, 50 more ACCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY, 1972 Edlin Collin’s Guide to Tree Planting Lousley Flora of the Isles of Scilly Perkins Geology Explained in South and East Devon Tubbs The New Forest: an Ecological History Van Den Brink Field-guide to the Mammals of Europe J. M. SCHERR, Hon. Librarian. €L6] Avenues ZL] 4oupny “MoH ‘LIA TTI “A “W ‘1921109 punoj pue poyipny ¥9-7Z9'TF Z1-6E7'E 60-LL 00-00% v8-LE 61-674 07-2 6E-TEL 00-001 00-01 00-0 00-02 00-01 00:01 00-01 £0-€ S79 €L-79 S6-€ 60-0 8P-6F ST-6 0S-9€L 10-SL¥ I¥-07% 06-PS7 d ¥ 3 T€L'1F ¥9-779'TF ‘Z3-SLF JO pun, [e1oedg uondsg JeorsojoyIUIO 941 pue SJoINsedI} [BUOT)OES AQ Ppey S20UNTeq PIOSOI JOU OP szUNODON asoyL, :9I0N 8r-E9F puny suoeIsny] AIOABS AlIeP oy] SUIPNoUy, sa}}TWIWOD Per] JO spuey uy 08 spuog ssuravg ysnlig % 1 O0bF* 00r yuUrg SSUIALS [eUOT}eN UT }ISOdeq LE senbays poJussesdun ssa7 yueg UT yse) OL qUNOSE 3X9U 0} sooURTeg LE-98¢ voll 0S-¥ jorune 00-SL¢ [eo1sojoyITuIC, 06-67 [euUIUe OZ T [eoIsOTOaH Pr-ZI [eo1zo]OWIOjU_ — Jeoruejog — +> SUOT}DOS O} SJUBIOH 08 $9:ZSI SSO :90}}TUIWIOD pie S8UI}S0UI [BJOUS3 JO Sasuodxo pue soley 9 *9}0 OINJEN OJ [IOUNOD 0} suOTINqIyUOD = =9 (Areiqi]) soUeINSUI oI sg (WIOO1 AlvIQIT JO) JUDY OS-+ ‘He syeuinof Joy suondriissqng 9p Z0-967'T syoog 9 (A9AING 9B1OH JeppoyD pus uLidyo SuIpnjour “{/6]) ssujpaa204g 309 P8E QOULISISSE [VOTIBID «= Z]J auoydsjo} pue sosejsog = LI AIQUONBIS PUL ZUTUTIg [eIOUDH = G6 kj dz TL6! tL61 WAHWAOACd I€ CHGNA UVAA AHL YOA SLNNODDV €L6} Arenuve 7] ‘saans@asy “UOH ‘TLOOUAHLAN 'W ‘fd JUNODI¥ JsB] WOJ soURle puny suoneysniyy AIOABS AlIV}{ 9Y} 0} SUOTINGIIWUOS sJOqMIOAl A10}SIF{ [eINJENY JO UNash ULdTJOUTYW JO UNs[Ng Jo ses L8:16 $9-S90'T dF UuOdsIOY} SUINIWoId pue spuog UO 3SeIJ0}UT yueg SssUuIAvS JeUOTeN WoIJ 3so19}UT Ajyred oUIM 2 OS9049 Puv JOUUIP UO IOIg sospeq jo aes WOid :99}}TWWOD Pers SJUSWOSITIOAPY safes syuldyO SJUBID SSuIpaaI0dd suojeuog SONSIOS§ Powelwyyv ssorune soyeIoossy sIoquisjy Buipuodses10_ Ployesnoy sues oy) JO sIOquMOyy [NZ sIOqUsy] [[NY :suOondiosqns sisquicyy TEL hF wLS 191 REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION, 1972 T the Annual General Meeting on 4 January the following were elected: A President, T. B. Silcocks; Secretary, G. R. Best; Committee: Mrs. R. E. Knight, P. F. Bird, J. F. Burton, A. N. Grose. The following meetings were held:— February 8: Butterflies of Malaysia by Flt. Lt. Fullock. March 7: Biological Pest Control by Mr. Solomons. April 23: Dymock Wood, Newent (Mr. and Mrs. Knight). May 13: Haresfield Beacon (G. Best). June 3: Sandford Hill (Joint with Botanical Section). July 1: Mendip Light Trapping (with Juniors). September 30: Amateur Entomologists Exhibition. London. November 7: Annual Exhibition. City Museum. G. R. BEST, Hon. Secretary. REPORT OF BOTANICAL SECTION, 1972 T the Annual General Meeting in the Botany Department Herbarium on aN 24 January, 1972, the following were elcted: President: Dr. A. F. Devonshire; Secretary and Treasurer: Miss I. F. Gravestock; Committee: Dr. T. E. T. Bond, Dr. D. H. Brown, Mrs. C. H. Cummins, Mrs. N. Vaughan Davies, Mr. C. H. Hurfurt, Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott, Dr. D. H. Peregrine and Dr. C. E. D. Smith. Following discussions with Museum staff, it was agreed that in future the Wild Flower Table should be the sole responsibility of the Museum, the Botanical Section of the Society no longer being officially associated with it as hitherto. Voluntary assistance from members was, however, welcomed by the Museum, and thanks are due to Mr. E. S. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Cummins and Mrs. T. B. Silcocks, who assisted the Museum staff during the year. The following winter meetings were held:— Jan. 24: Annual General Meeting and a Summary of Findings on the Somerset Flora by Capt. R. G. B. Roe: also Members’ Evening. Feb. 28: Forestry and Wild Life, by Mr. Malcolm Scott. Mar. 20: Plants of the Devonian Age from Greenland, by Dr. K. C. Allen. Joint meeting with Geological Section. Oct. 2: Mushrooms and Toadstools, by Dr. C. E. D. Smith. Nov. 27: Members’ Evening, with transparencies. The foHowing field excursions took place, under the leadership of those shown:— Mar. 18: Westonbirt Arboretum. Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott. April 29: Avon Gorge. Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott. May 20: Killerton Gardens, Devon. Dr. T. E. T. Bond. May 24: Royal Fort Gardens. Dr. A. F. Devonshire. June:s: Sandford Hill. Mrs. T. B. Silcocks and Miss I. F. Gravestock. The hill still supports a rich flora despite quarrying, but the major part of the area is doomed under the permission already granted. June 20: Rodway Hill. Dr. A. F. Devonshire. July 15: Bristol Forest, Paradise Bottom. Mr. Malcolm Scott and Mr. C. H. Cummins. July 29: Biddle Combe Nature Trail and Knapp Hill, Wells. Miss I. F. Gravestock. Aug. 12: Berkeley to Oldbury-on-Severn. Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott. An interesting area for coastal and mudbank flora. Aug. 19: Grandam Rocks, Wick. Mr. C. H. Hurfurt. Oct. 14: Fungus Foray, Goblin Combe. Dr. C. E. D. Smith. Despite the dry weather, reasonable numbers of larger fungi were found, including Birds-Nest Fungus (Cyathus Striatus), Mycena pura, Blewits (Tricholoma nudum), Stropharia aeruginosa and a number of Clitocybe spp. I. F. GRAVESTOCK, Hon. Secretary. 192 REPORTOFGEOLOGICALSECTION, 1972 HE Annual Business Meeting of the Section was held on 13 January, 1972, in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University. The following were elected: President, Mr. A. E. Frey; Vice-President, Mr. D. Hamilton; Hon. Secretary, Dr. A. B. Hawkins; Hon. Field Secretary, Mr. D. Hamilton; Committee: Professor D. L. Dineley, Student President of the University Geological Society (both ex-officio), Miss Garland, Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Hollingsworth and Mr. Leese. The programme included: February 17: Film Evening: films entitled “Volcanoes” and ‘“‘Shoreline Processes’. March 20: Plants of Devonian Age from Greenland, Dr. K. C. Allen. Joint meeting with Botanical Section. October 26: Glaciation of the Severn Estuary Region, Dr. A. B. Hawkins. November 23: Geological Successions in the Inferior Oolite of the Cotswolds. Professor D. V. Ager. The following field meetings took place:— May 27: Old Charfield Brick Pits. Leader: Dr. M. L. K. Curtis. June 18: Forest of Dean. Leader: Mr. R. Bradshaw. July 16: The Wren’s Nest, Dudley. Leader: Dr. R. J. G. Savage. September 17: Karst topography and hydrology of the Mendips. Leader: Mr. D. I. Smith. A. B. HAWKINS, Hon. Secretary. REPORT OF ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION, 1972 A T the 48th Annual General Meeting Messrs. P. J. Chadwick and H. R. H. Lance were re-elected President and Chairman respectively, and Mr. Thomas replaced Mr. Warden on the Committee, Messrs. Ogilvie, Taylor, Lee, Lucas, Bigger, Bland and Pople being re-elected. Mr. Billett was re-appointed Hon. Auditor. Six indoor meetings were held, with an average attendance of 57. The subjects and speakers were:— January 12: Birds of Tunisia, by P. J. Chadwick. February 18: Birds of Finnish Lapland, by A. D. Lucas. (Postponed due to power cuts). March 8: Fieldwork meeting. October 18: | Feeding Behaviour of Geese, by Dr. M. Owen. November 22: Birds of Morocco, by Mr. J. D. R. Vernon. December 8: Waterfowl Identification by a panel. Eleven Field meetings were organised as follows:— Burry Inlet (Feb. 20), Steart and Quantocks (Apr. 16), Rainbow Wood Bath (Apr. 28), Brean Down (May 7), Leigh Woods (May 11), Inglestone Common (May 17), Exmoor (June 4), Atlas Survey in Weston-super-Mare area (June 24), Portland Bill and Radipole Lake with Junior section (Sept. 17), Caldicot Moor (Nov. 26), Chew Valley Lake (Dec. 10). We thank the leaders and helpers on all these occasions. Members of the section also contributed to a number of local and national surveys, including the Nest Record and Ringing schemes, the Common Bird Census, the Birds of Estuaries survey, and the Atlas scheme. Local surveys on the Birds of Bristol, Starling roosts, Birds of Prey, Gulls of the Avon, Shelducks, House Martins, and Rookeries in South Gloucestershire. H. R. H. LANCE, Hon. Secretary. 193 REPORT OF MAMMAL SECTION, 1972 T the Annual General Meeting on 7 January, 1972, the following were A elected: President, Mr. R. G. Symes; Committee members, Mr. A. F. Jayne and Dr. R. J. G. Savage. The following were re elected; Secretary, Miss E. J. Lenton; Recorder, Mr. R. G. Symes; Committee members, Miss J. B. Webb, Mr. R. M. Curber, Mr. F. H. Rawlings and Mr. G. W alker. The following indoor meetings were held during tl.e year, with an average attendance of fifty-two members. Jan. 7: A.G.M. and members’ slides and talks. Feb. 10: Hippopotami, by Mrs. Shirley C. Savage. March 17: Grey Squirrels, by Mrs. J. Mackinnon. Oct. II: The Marsupials of Western Australia, by Mrs. E. Finch. Nov. 29: Fruit Bats, by Mrs. C. Bramwell. Dec. 6: Seacows Today, by Dr. C. Bertram. Field meetings were as follows:— Jan. 9: The Avon Valley, Mr. R. G. Symes. Feb. 6: Fox Spotting. Mr. F. H. Rawlings. Feb. 13: Badger Survey. Mr. A. F. Jayne. March 19: Cromhall and Tortworth. Mrs. J. Humphris. April 21, 28: Badger watches. Mr. A. F. Jayne. April go: North Stoke. Miss E. J. Lenton. May 12, 19: Badger watches. Mr. A. F. Jayne. May 21: Wetmoor. Mr. A. F. Jayne. June 18: River Survey. Mr. R. G. Symes. July 16: 10 km. Square ST 75. Mr. R. M. Curber. Aug. 13: Tickenham. Mr. G. Walker. Sept. 24: New Forest. Miss J. B. Webb. Oct. 6-8: Pembrokeshire. Miss E. J. Lenton. Oct. 22: Chittening Warth. Mr. F. H. Rawlings. Nov. 12: Rivers Survey. Miss J. B. Webb. Dec. 17: Kenn Moor. Mr. G. Walker. Members have contributed to the Mammal Society’s distribution scheme based on the 10 km. squares of the National Grid and to the Section’s own distribution maps based on 1 km. squares. E. J. LENTON, Hon. Secretary. ACCOUNT OF GENERAL MEETINGS, 1972 UR first meeting of the year on 20 January was addressed by the retiring President, Mr S. M. Taylor on “Patterns in Space and Time’. Feb. 3: Mr. J. Barrett showed his film “Islands of the Bristol Channel’ based on six years of visiting and leading parties to the islands of Steep Holme, Flat Holme and Lundy. March 2: Dr. R. S. Wilson spoke on ‘‘Midges and Water Pollution’’. Dr. Wilson’s particular interest is in the midges called Chironom- idae—the ones that do not bite. _ Oct. 5: The film “The Baobab Tree’’ was shown. This film is a portrait of the African upside-down tree and its ecology and shows a year’s life of a Baobab Tree in Tsaro National Park, Kenya. Nov. 2: Professor N. W. Hardistry spoke on “The life cycle of the Lamprey’’. Dec, 7: “‘Members’ Evening’? when short accounts by members of their experiences in various parts of the world included:— Dr. C. E. D. Smith on Smokey Mountain National Park. Mr. M. Taylor on Jack Miner’s Bird Sanctuary Canadian Border. Miss B. A. Rake on Organ Pipe National Park, U.S.A. Dr. J. W. Cowie on Greenland and Arctic Canada. Miss C. Graham on Native in Tasmania. Mrs. D. G. Hill-Cottingham on Snippets from Sweden. AUDREY HECKELS, Hon. Secretary. 194 GENERAL FIELD MEETINGS, 1972 OURTEEN field meetings were held and with two exceptions were well F attended. A new venture, a canal trip, was particularly popular. In addition to the ordinary meetings, four midweek rambles were held, mainly for retired members; they were sufficiently successful to justify their repetition next year. A list of the meetings with leaders an an indication of the things seen is given below. A fuller account is kept in the records of the Field Committee. In the following list the leader is given first followed by the area visited.’ Jan. 16: H.G. Hockey. Huntspill national nature reserve. Waders, gulls, duck, and small birds, and signs of otter. Mar. 4: R. Curber. Studland, nature reserve and Poole Harbour. Waders and other birds. Mar. 31: H.G. Hockey. Monmouth and Brecon Canal. A 3-mile journey by narrow boat near Govilon with excellent views. April 23: Miss R. C. Lee. Fingle Bridge. A wooded valley on the River Teign. Dippers, ravens and a raven’s nest were seen. May 3: Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Dudden. Glen Frome from Eastville Park to Oldbury Court, Plants and birds. May 10: H.G. Hockey. Wrington Hill. Trees, limestone plants, and birds (including a buzzard’s nest). May 14: H.G. Hockey. A 6-mile walk down the valley of the Little Neath to Port Nedd Fechan. Waterfalls, trees, ferns, mosses and birds. June 8: OD. A. C. Cullen. River Chew and Lord’s Wood. Evening Bird Song. June 10: Miss C. Groves. World-wide Butterfly Farm, West Overton, where many species of British and foreign butterflies are bred. East Farm, Hamoon, Sturminster Newton; this is a large dairy farm managed by the owner, Mrs. Hughes, to maintain habitats for wild life. June: 21: C.B. Carlile. Blaise Castle Woods and Blaise Hamlet. Trees and architecture. July 3: Miss C. Groves. Leigh Woods and bank of Avon. Plants (including bee and wasp orchids). July 8: A. F. Devonshire. Forest of Dean. Meering Meend Pools and part of the Wilderness Forest Trail. Forestry and plants. July 11: Miss R. C. Lee. Canada Coombe and Loxton Hill. Birds and plants of limestone. Aug. 19: R. Curber. Stanpit Marshes. Shore Birds, including 4 species of tern, water rail, and a hooded crow. Sept. 10: Mrs. Hill-Cottingham, Kilve; marine biology and use of quad- rats. Holford Combe; trees and marsh plants. Sept. 12: A. F. Devonshire. Ashton Court, including the gardens. Girth measurements were taken of some trees. Oct. 28: A. F. Devonshire. Bigsweir to Tintern. A walk along the left bank of the Wye (about 4 miles). Autumn colours, trees, ferns and birds. Dec. 3: Miss R. C. Lee. Canal near Tewskesbury and Frampton Pools. N Meadow and water birds. A. F. DEVONSHIRE, Hon. Field Secretary. REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, 1972 ATURAL history surveys were undertaken in the Bristol Avon Valley and these were used in two separate reports. Copies of one report were sent to the four local planning authorities who had issued a pamphlet on the proposed Leisure Park in the valley. Copies of the other report were sent to the Bristol Transportation and Land-Use Study Unit and the South Western Road Construction Unit. This latter report dealt with the damaging effect on local 195 wildlife which will result from the building of a four lane trunk highway along the old Midland Railway Track if the present proposals for the provision of a by-pass road for Saltford are put into effect. Observations and suggested modifications were sent to Somerset County Council in connection with its proposal to provide a recreational picnic area with car parking and toilet facilities at the Priddy Pools Site of Special Scientific Interest. (S.S.S.1.) Our suggestions will be taken into account when the scheme is finalised. Our objections, along with those of other bodies, were successfully lodged against the tipping of rubble into woodland at Bury Hill, Winterbourne Down. On our advice, Bristol City Parks Department discontinued the use of public shooting permits for Corporation Estates, and did not proceed with a proposal for a park for mobile caravans to be sited within the area of the nature trail at Ashton Court Park. A proposal to acquire a fifty foot strip of woodland along the West bank of the River Frome at Stapleton Village for a public space and footpath will probably, at our suggestion, not be followed and the area will remain a private nature reserve. K. T. BATTY, Chairman. OBITUARY ARCHIBALD MALCOLM GORDON CAMPBELL R. A. M. G. Campbell, consultant neurologist to Bristol Royal Infirmary and physician to the United Bristol Hospitals, died on March 4 at the age of 62. He was educated at St. John’s College, Oxford and Guy’s Hospital where he graduated B.M., B.Ch., in 1934. He held various house appointments at Guy’s and in 1936 he took the M.R.C.P. and in 1938 the D.M. From 1940 to 1945 he served in the R.A.F. as a neuro-psychiatrist afterwards returning to Oxford to the department of neurology. He then moved to Bristol where he was elected physician to Cossham Hospital and to the Bristol Royal Hospital and the Bristol City Hospital and was appointed lecturer in medicine at the University of Bristol. In 1850 he was elected F.R.C.P. His professional colleagues have elsewhere written in praise of his attainments in medicine and, in particular, of his work on multiple sclerosis and have referred to the wide importance of his work on the effect of lead on the nervous system, pollution and drug addiction. He has been well-described as one of a diminishing number of physician-naturalists. The creation of the Jenner Trust and the establishment of the Jenner Museum at Berkeley was almost entirely due to his enthusi- asm and effort and was the outcome of his great interest in medical history. In the nineteen-sixties he gave a memorable lecture to our society on the life and work of Edward Jenner. His other pursuits included classical archaeology and wide interests in natural history although in this field it was undoubtedly ornithology which gave him the keenest pleasure. As well as having a keen appreciation of the pleasures of field work he was thoroughly conversant with the more technical aspects of ornithology including the most recent research. All those who knew Malcolm Campbell must have admired and appreciated his rare combination of intellect and compassion as well as the great courage he showed in the face of his own increasing disability. G. SWEET. 197 MEMBERS AT 14 May 1973 A.—Associate Member. C.—Corresponding Member. H.—Honorary Member. *Have contributed Papers to the Proceedings. The addresses of Junior Members may be had from the Junior Membership Secretary. Members are asked to advise the Hon. Treasurer of any corrections to this list. Adams, A. W., M.B., M.S., | Bi 22 OS Ae a a Addison, D., A.R.I.C.S. Adnams, J. R. Aitken, Miss D. M. F. Allan, D. L., M.A. Allan, Mrs. D. L. Allen, M. A. cooe eee ee ee ee ee Allison, J. J., M.A., Dip.Ed.. . Allister, Mrs. G. S., B.Sc... .. Anderson, A. Angles, R., A.M.I.Mech.E., A.F.R.Ae.S. Appleyard, Mrs. J. Arbery, R. J. oe eee eee ee © © ese eee ee oot eee eee ee eo Arthur, M. J., M.Sc., D.1.C., F.G.S. ocr eo eee ee eee ee ee 8 ecerer eee eee ee PASTIGCE) POND. sce0c ce ens PTTES 9) WN ooo pane oho 5 enn he Atty, D. B., M.A. Avery, Dr. ne A., B.Sc., Ph.D. Bailey, Miss M. J. ........:. Bainbridge, J., B.Sc., SACL Gt fe hose eat oll eas Baker, Miss S. J. Baldwin Dy Poe! le Oe La Baldwin, Mrs. D. F. Baldwin, S. A., M.P.S., F.G.S., PRAMS iss cw casio ms dee eseiw Bambridge, Mrs. M......... Banham, B. C. Barber, J. eer eee eee ee eo Barker, ByJ., B.A. ......2... LT Ce, gi (Ce ara Barnett, Miss O. V. Barnett,"S. H.'Gi' 3 .2....6 6% Barnett, Mrs. S. H. G. Baron, Miss J. wo... 5555s Baron, Miss J. P. .......... Barrett, Mrs. I. M. Dip.Ed. 4 Portland Street, Clifton, Bristol 8 14, Woodgrove Road, Henbury, Bristol 17 Meadowside, Thornbury, Nr. Bristol 126 Howard Road, Westbury Park, Bristol 6 7 Coombe Bridge Avenue, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Do. Manor Farm House, Uggeshall, Brampton, Beccles, Suffolk Nettlecombe Court, Williton, Som. 58 Avon Way, Portishead, Nr. Bristol 17 Whitehall Gardens, Bristol 5 c/o Postmaster, Post Office, Filton, Bristol Sunnyside, West Horrington, Wells, Som. 271 Coleridge Road, Weston-super-Mare, Som. 16 Waverley Road, Redland, Bristol 6 17 Dragons Hill Gardens, Keynsham, Nr. Bristol 41 Petherton Road, Hengrove, Bristol 10 Miles Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 17A Eldorado Road, Cheltenham, Glos. Dept. of Zoology, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 Botany School, South Parks Road, Oxford The City Museum, Queen’s Road, Bristol 8 20 Sheldrake Drive, Stapleton, Bristol 17 Gorse Hill, Fishponds, Bristol 17 Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Do. 32 Highfield Road, Purley, Surrey 286 Canford Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol 52 Highbury Road, Bedminster, Bristol 3 37 Spring Hill, Milton, Weston-super-Mare, Som 7 Long Eaton Drive, Whitchurch, Bristol 4 Churchill Hall, Stoke Park Road, Bristol 9 60a Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 2 The Avenue, Sneyd Park, Bristol 9 D oO. Cotswold Cottage, Lansdown Lane, Upton Cheyney, Bitton, Nr. Bristol. D oO. .Flat B, 11 Westbury Park, Bristol 6 198 MEMBERSHIP LIST Barrett, J. H., A.I.E.I....... 10 Avonwood Close, Shirehampton, Bristol Barrett, Ming [ely oe eee Do. Barry; MisjM.o 5.4 de atc ae 201 Lodge Causeway, Fishponds, Bristol C... BartletQhHs eee eee Dept. of Geology, University College, Cathays Park, Cardiff Bartlett, Mars. 15.533... 90s, cadets - 75 Ellacombe Road, Longwell Green, Nr. Bristol *Bassindale;/R:}) MiSe.20.22 258 7 Priory Gardens, Shirehampton, Bristol Bassindale, (Mrs: Ro... 63.2... Do. Batty, K. T., C.Eng., M.I.E.E., Steppings, Ladye Bay, Walton St. Mary, Mot Meche 602.6% etn. Clevedon, Somerset Batty, Mist Koen. foe es Do. Beaton, Missi D:.Risi 2. pr. 5 Manor Park, Redland, Bristol 6 Bebbington, A., M.Sc., F.I. 13 Red House Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, Bila. GS Bristol Bennett, Miss A. E., B.Sc. .. 15 Conygar Close, Clevedon, Som. Bennett, Miss‘EyB. o.li%..% 2A Alexandra Road, Southmead, Bristol Bennett, Mrs. N. M., B.Sc. .. Pippins, Hill Lane, Tickenham, Clevedon, Som. Best, GPRS Ee Biol te oat Hortham Cottage, Hortham Lane, Almonds- bury, Nr. Bristol Betts, Miss B. L., B.Sc. .... Royal School, Bath, Som. Bigger We Gore ee eee, Brook House, Priory Road, Easton-in- Gordano, Nr. Bristol Bioos, Miss is ae cuuetiee Monks Park House, Southmead Hospital, Bristol Biettr Ae ie te ae ee eae g Hardy Lane, Tockington, Nr. Bristol ‘Birds PIES B.S E.ZA8) Pie MEAG os athe a oh alates ints The City Museum, Queen’s Road, Bristol 8. Blackford, Miss M., B.A., 63 Wellington Hill West, Westbury-on- CASES, CSN TES, Soetneeteen Na Trym, Bristol Bland, Miss JG. .< Ye ces 5 20 Dundonald Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Bland MRISEUBrA: at ees Clifton College, Clifton, Bristol 8 *Blathwayt, C. S. H., M.A.,, Res Sere ea ane ee sper 27 South Road, Weston-super-Mare, Som. Badley, TW 20 creas oo <6 euons Downfield, Lower New Road, Cheddar, Som. Bodley, Mirs. 10. W.Va Do. *Bond, Dr. T. E. T., D.Sc., Sonoma, Knightcott Road, Abbot’s Leigh, Ph.D) Eka Seaths- clare offs, tered Nr. Bristol Bond, Mrs.) Ps Bs, Pe iiss ete tit Do. Boswallh, Jansstaca ie 6h Way B.B.C. Natural History Unit, Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Bouligand oY oct 3 bye, Se ays 7 Melrose Place, Clifton, Bristol 8 Bouligand, MrseY. 02. a.e}.« Do. Bowen, Miss M., B.Sc. ...... 60 Great Brockeridge, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Bowerman, R. W.L. ...... 8 Vimpany Close, Henbury, Bristol G. * Boyd, ., -M:B:-ODUE ie sant 1032 Pinewood Crescent, Ottawa 14, Canada PBov Gy Jn IMispyiah = mayzie ke othibts Worthyland, Back Lane, Draycott, Cheddar, Som. Boyd, Mis: J. Mia? 10263 eres Do. Bracken,,Miss:. JA, .):%. «|. 53-4. 27 Dragon’s Hill Court, Keynsham, Nr. Bristol Bradley;;Mrss.W. Eunc.2 - 3 sy 63 Highbury Road, Horfield, Bristol 7 *Bradshaw, R., M.Sc., F.G.S. Dept. of Geology, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 Bridge, Cols GeA.v36. swoink .v Glencorse, 14 Ridgeway Road, Long Ashton, Bristol Bridge},.Miss ME. «mtia0 f2'. Do. MEMBERSHIP LIST 199 Brmdson, We A... kkk ee oes 7 Glenarm Walk, Brislington, Bristol 4 Brient, Miss Aj M. 3: .... 3. Clifton Hill House, Lower Clifton Hill, Bristol 8 Bristol Public Libraries...... College Green, Bristol 1 Britton, Wirs.D.sH. .'. a)s:006- 50 Kingsway, Kingswood, Bristol Britton, Wiss’ PJ... .. 5. Village Farm, Easter Compton, Nr. Bristol Brougn, Mrsj. A, °.......- 7 Logan Road, Bishopston, Bristol 7 Brown, MISS. J. ‘1... secre ois + Do. *Brown, D. H., B.Sc., Ph.D... Dept. of Botany, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 Brown, Mrs. D. H., B.Sc., Ph.D. 38 Laurie Crescent, Henleaze, Bristol 9 POWs Roe I, co oe se 6 3 sgeye 9. Badock Hall, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Brownell, Dr. D; B. ... «-.... 51 Westacre Close, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Brace, -G@- Ro Bice. .. waa a: « 13 Northfield, Bridgwater, Som. Biyaloter Fie. ee oc da ches ns) e in * 116 Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol Bryant, Wins: By. Jos oe < 020 «+ 0s Do. Bry amt). via de shots o's Spe sc 9.63 Do. Buckley, 1. Re cis ese c ews 26 Wanscow Walk, Henleaze, Bristol Buekley; Mrs: I. Re; + ....-.- Do. Bucknall, Mrs. P. S., S.R.N. 146 Hallen Road, Henbury, Bristol Buddery,,Mrs. H. P.......... 15 Gloucester Road, Thornbury, Nr. Bristol Buneo; Miss: J.B. ..c. se 50 Belmont Road, Bishopston, Bristol 6 Burberry, Bia Aue s% + a 20's 1 Homefield, Thornbury, Nr. Bristol 1) aks gels LA Ba ae es ea 2 Linden Close, Winterbourne, Nr. Bristol Burns: Mrs. RD} sj. 340.» + Do. Burton: GN, « siaepectss ».¢.478 0 « 5 College Fields, Clifton, Bristol 8 Burton, Mrs. G. No... os... Do. *Burton, J. F., F.R.E.S., B.B.C. Natural History Unit, Whiteladies }.35 13,5 21 bl Ca eae Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Bussell, Miss D. M. ........ The Bungalow, Leigh Woods, Bristol 8 Byrde, Dr. R. J. W., B.Sc. Homeleigh, Downside, West Town, Nr. Clone) eP TD. % . ayeie ee Bristol Byrde, Mrs. J.-H.,.B.Sc.. .... Do. Bywater, M. Joos 06 aye0s e's 0,5 53 Stonebridge Park, Upper Eastville, Bristol 5 Cameron, MissI.L. ........ 14. Falcon Court, Southfield Road, Westbury- on-Trym, Bristol Campbell, Canon J. N., M.A. The Rectory, 21 Park Road, Stapleton, Bristol Campbell, Mrs. J. N. ...... Do. merr@arlilei G'S. i602) sis ve'.6 5s 17 Falcon Court, Southfield Road, Westbury- on-Trym, Bristol iy “Garr, A. P., BSc. s...0.2 00% Unit ot Coastal Sedimentation, Beadon Road, Taunton, Som. C. Carter, R. W.G., B.Sc. .... Dept. of Geography, The New University of A. Ulster, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry @ary, Miss: K.M. .......... Garden Flat, 9 Cambridge Park, Redland, Bristol 6 @ase, Wiss M.-L.) 2... ows). os 2 King’s Road, Brislington, Bristol 4 Gatle ys Bisjecitt de wee vee. 11 Dene Road, Whitchurch, Bristol Gatley, Mirs."Fi J... 0. ...5.'. Do. *Chadwick, P. J., 1.) 1a) 3 O22) 0 as a 3 Hill Burn, Henleaze, Bristol Chambers Bl Ps) say. cuss 13. Rysdale Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Giramibers; Joe as ek. 5 Gordon Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Champion, Miss P. R. H. .. 38a Downleaze, Bristol 9 200 ' MEMBERSHIP LIST Chantler, Miss I. W,........ Room 4, Nurses’ Home, Barrow Hospital, Barrow Gurney, Long Ashton, Nr. Bristol Charlesworth, W. B. ........ 36 Albert Road, Clevedon, Somerset Ching, Mis. J..M., so. 5,206 44 Bishopthorpe Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Clapson, Mis By 5... cst encegat 13 Teewell Hill, Staple Hill, Bristol Clark, R. J., B.Sc., M.I.Biol... 19 Orchard Road, Olveston, Nr, Bristol Clarke.: Miss 1. Ne... scouts o: 6 Oak Grove, Easton-in-Gordano, Nr. Bristol Cleave, Dr. J. P., B.Sc., Ph.D. 14 Greendale Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Clement. Mass'G:, G.t 4. fain. Trenance, Lyndhurst Road, Midsomer Norton, Bath, Som. Clements 1D. Aj crt. sacs oso 5 Counterpool Road, Kingswood, Bristol Clements, Mis.D. A. 2 u.3 .. Do. Glenients wb O.t-0 wets coun os 149 Queen’s Road, Bishopsworth, Bristol Clements, Mrs. F. S.. co. 60). a Do. @levely. Rao). ae easeee cee: 14 Flaxman Close, Bristol 7 Clothier. (Gu Bieva 0 oes stecsucps eos 7 The Crescent, Backwell, Nr. Bristol Cocker, Mrs: MoE. oi: 3 33 Old Sneed Avenue, Bristol 9 Coffin, J. H. F., A.R.I.B.A., 103 Sunnyside Road, Weston-super-Mare, PURSE Ssgccd nos ee eg Som. Collar ch Ye) oi gers cies tenet 12 Rockleaze, Bristol 9 Collier, D.-J., BSC. Ssn00. 6 Westbury Park, Bristol 6 Collier, Miss MI.” oa Sina en 4 Jersey Avenue, St. Anne’s, Bristol 4 Gollinasy Vinh aispehe oie aces 88 St. Mark’s Road, Easton, Bristol 5 Colquhoun, Miss O. L., SSR AIN Ges lv La reaaste che che Rowton Cottage, Congresbury, Nr. Bristol Cook, (Miss “V0 Vis. (sic icre syoys <2 15 St. Helena Rd., Westbury Park, Bristol 6 Cooke Roo ay. Sa vivian ooo sie Polstreath, 17 Middle Path, Crewkerne, Som. Coombs, Dr. C. J. F., M.A., Greenwith Place, Perranwell, Nr. Truro, 1 ls AR 0 FR OY 6 anarea ae y eo e Cornwall Cowie, Dr. J. W., B.Sc., Ph.D., Dept. of Geology, University of Bristol, IR GES we crntuagrgat eee Bristol 8 Cox, Mis. JaPs;) Mes: sacs aot 17 Nugent Hill, Cotham, Bristol 6 Cox, Miss J. Ey PEON! | my 4 Beloe Road, Horfield, Bristol 7 Cox, Mars KV. foi hen Clevedon Farm, Clevedon, Som. Cox, Miss T= GG. SUREN: ORNORe kon soe Mill House, Chew Magna, Nr. Bristol Crabtree, Dr. K., Ph.D. .... Dept. of Geography, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 Cramp, Miss J. M. ........ 1 Oakwood Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Crane Aw, 29620. 8 IOS 54 Aylminton Walk, Lawrence Weston, Bristol Crowe KY Ban hawk Oe x 69 Air Balloon Road, St. George, Bristol 5 Guillen SDF ArH Titec, href Lark Rise, Church Road, Hanham, Bristol Culverwell; R. V. (203044. 23 Bridges Court, Luckington, Chippenham, Wilts. Gummins':@ 2 His 2) SRG 1% 11 Cote Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Cummins, Mrs. C. Hy ...... Do. Glirber REM 4, a 2992. 11 Weatherby Avenue, Odd Down, Bath, Som Curry; D2V2; DEA. oo. co: 30 eaedonie Place, Clifton, Bristol 8 Curry /Mirs. IDIaVr ke 22, Do. *Curtis! U7 Fy) Bisel 9 4%. aie. Dept. of Geography, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 *Curtis, Dr. M. L. K., B.Sc., PHD: FIGs. 22S sea ae The City Museum, Queen’s Road, Bristol 8 *Curcds MT... Jae wh. MR 58 Chargrove, Yate, Nr. Bristol Dalby, (Mirs.iB Meir: «tne oe - Grange Fell, Leigh Woods, Bristol 8 Davies; Miss AsiM.2 if. crap 13 Berkeley Road, Westbury Park, Bristol 6 MEMBERSHIP LIST 201 Cer WAVES, Eder, ieee dc a p!s sleye iste « 11 Forest Drive, Morris Plains, New Jersey, U.S.A; Davies, Mrs. N. Vaughan .. 3 Clyde Road, Redland, Bristol 6 IDEMTC 1) Cg eae aa 7 Cadogan Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 H. *Davis, H. H., M.B.O.U. .... Gordano, Church Road, Winscombe, Som. Dyawasyeins: ha. Ee ce ee Do. Dawson, RO. 22... 2. 3 Woodland Glade, Clevedon, Som. PARP REN eel a oo ss ge als wus ets Manzai, Dancing Lane, Wincanton, Som. Dearnley, I. H., M.B.E., Joanna’s, 96 London Road, Warmley, Nr. Oe ee ae Bristol Dearnley,-Mrs. TH... 05... Do. DC AMGY RS 6 oe) s 6 6 oes eee wet Katherine Farm, Lawrence Weston Road, Avonmouth, Bristol DWelaneyaWirs, Reo. ese e's ees O. Denmimng,. Wey. bP ak 789 Whitchurch Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol 4 *Dennison;-V..D., B.Sc. ...... Heathercrest, The Batch, Churchill, Som. Derham, Miss M.R. ...... 30 Aberdeen Road, Cotham, Bristol 6 Devonshire, Dr. A. F., M.A., 59 Falcondale Road, Westbury-on-Trym, (els! DSA an ae Bristol Dickson, Miss J. M. ........ 28 Rockside Drive, Henleaze, Bristol Dickson, Miss U. M. ...... Do. Dobbie, Wr. Lis, ees os Gattrells, Steway, Batheaston, Bath, Som. Dobbie, Wis. [7i., ........ Do. Dodson, Dr. J. W., B.Sc., Ph.D. Dept. of Zoology, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 C. *Donovan, Prof. D.T.,Ph.D., Dept. of Geology, University College, PiSe 7 2.8... F.G.S. os... London, Gower Street, London, W.C.1 Drazin, Dr. P.G., MA., Ph.D. 24 Kersteman Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Pocilen, Gr. Fae, ec cigs ce ois 3 26 Rousham Road, Eastville, Bristol 5 Dudden, Mrs. G. H. ...... Do. Dudley-Smith, Mrs. R....... The Follies, Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Dugdale, Miss J. A. ........ 23 Dundonald Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Donne, HINMLAL fe... 11A School Road, Frampton Cotterell, Nr. Bristol Dunuimme, C.J., B.Se:,'. ..... 12 Lansdown Place, Clifton, Bristol Dunning, Mrs. L. M. ...... 20 Glenwood Road, Henleaze, Bristol Eastes, Dr. H. J., M.B., B.S... The Bank House, High Street, Marshfield (Glos.), Chippenham, Wiltshire Eastes, Dr. Z. M. U.., MUROOLS i EIRIC SPY o's ss Do. Bastwood,). Mio) i. ose 6s 15 Eastley Close, Falfield, Wotton-under- Edge, Glos. C. Edwards, Dr. C., B.Sc., Ph.D. Swiss Cottage, Benvoulin Road, Oban, Argyll, Scotland Bn btee WA Ros ae lS od apecsin ols) ecs 7 Wellington Terrace, Clifton, Bristol 8 Elliott, Mrs..M. R. ........ Do. PoP N IG eo 4G ace Spee he ee om oe Badock Hall, Stoke Park Road, Bristol 9 LAS I. Pa abode s, sx0-0cg $0 4) 9018 22 York Gardens, Clifton, Bristol 8 Bitlis, Mars: IK. As Je: «ssa Do. SUE npr aesraerale 6 i0@ avers © 91 Ellacombe Rd., Longwell Green, Nr. Bristol Bisplans¢ Mrs sGe i), ochcs0'd sresase Do. Ethelston,, Miss\J..D.... 5... 297 Down Road, Portishead, Nr. Bristol IPGHEIStOM, (Se a. oss wie wwiele ss © Do BAS AN. Bis he ay0s.v009 ses. eer 5 Lampeter Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol ia WEIVENS, Ec IN o)5 sewesjo8 s scstes) = ox 5 Cotham Park North, Cotham, Bristol 6 Bivies, Dr... A.;-DiSCo2.0 50s The Old Cottage, Great Rissington, Chel- tenham, Glos 202 MEMBERSHIP LIST Evyre-Brook, AL to. 28 Druids Mead, Shirehampton Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristcl 9 Falk, Mors) Mi. Mir. 2. 2,03 ope 7 Sion Hill, Clifton, Bristol 8 Farmer, Miss P. E., B.Sc..... 44 College Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Farmer, Pi.Gia ys a Gktdilee as 83 Wallingford Road, Inns Court, Knowle, Bristol 4 Fear, A. C.K. B.Sc... 2.3... 60 Clifton Park Road, Bristol 8 Bear, Virss:A.cCotK. osc se ol Do. C. Flatt, A. G., M.B.E., F.I.C.E., Alyswood, Horsecastles Lane, Sherborne, GO eae wis. he saree oes Dorset Fleming, To ce v..). dapsgnit sets eve 22 Tennyson Avenue, Clevedon, Somerset Bleming, Mrs. 0... .: satjoe.< oO. Fleure, Miss E., M.A. ...... Top Flat, Vyvyan House, Clifton Park, Bristol 8 POOR OR: BE Sig ctsitines, Goh cape eae Sunnyside, Keyton Hill, Blackford, Wed- more, Somerset Plook,. Mrs: Poss costae eas Do. Ford, 1s El. B.SGe as sere ets, Dept. of Geology, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 Forrest, His Honour Judge GAG NLIAS. Grice sre anger ee 43 Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Foster: Mrs. DiJB. csc + crre'ss g Weston Crescent, Horfield, Bristol 7 POSED: Time e ets oe eg 115 Henbury Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Hostersvirs. De Res. ewe ae Do. Fosterete. Dita, cian sae Do. Franklin, Mrs. B. C. M. .... 19 Parklands Road, Bower Ashton, Bristol Freeman’, irs. Aun. 53. xjopse « = 4 St. Matthew’s Road, Cotham, Bristol 6 French, Miss E. H., B.Sc..... 7 Clifton Park, Clifton, Bristol 8 FreyivAw Es, Bi Ase. aah roa Dept. of Geography, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 Bricker, Mrs. Ladies ¢.ccsk tes 15 Lyndale Avenue, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Frost,-D:.. Wi Bs 2 icce 2c dck 32 Oakwood Road, Henleaze, Bristol Frost,: irs. Ie (M: Hees sca. Do. *Frost, Dr. L. C., M.A., Ph.D. Department of Botany, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 HS ry OR ake sou a cates 59 Air Balloon Road, St. George, Bristol 5 Fulford,“ Missi Me 2. oe... 55 Waverley Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Garden, Miss S. M. ........ 5 West Dene, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Garrad, Miss J., B.A., B.Sc... 16 Apsley Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Garton, Miss P., M.A., D.S.R. 30 Clarendon Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Gaydon, Dr. F. A., D.Sc. .. 19 Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 D Gaydon; Mrs: F. Aviat 24 O. Gazzard, Miss K. E. ...... 19 Redfield Road, Patchway, Bristol Gibbs, Bet ec. Jas ek o eee se 48 Larksleaze Road, Longwell Green, Nr. Bristol Gibbs)’Mirs. NYE ieee . 170 Redland Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Gilbert*Mrs; Ra 2s 6OR4 2k. 63 Leaholme Gardens, Whitchurch, Bristol 14 Gilhespy,, J. Ge 6 sa 93 Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Gill, DE Aso 2 a0 h, ERGY Lake View, Chew Stoke, Nr. Bristol Gill Mirst. Di tA jac bib. tcc Do. Gill) MrseH . 6 clin INES 2 Trym Bank, Grove Road, Coombe Dingle, Bristol Gingell Gey ie. Bes 95 Baden Road, Kingswood, Bristol Glens DPV. 6A eet 2 6 Cherry Close, Yatton, Nr. Bristol Glen, Mrs. D. M. .......... Do. = ‘Harris, 'S. S., B.Sc: MEMBERSHIP LIST H. Gorvett, Dr. H., B.Sc., Ph.D. Goswell, R. W., B.Sc. Gozna, Dr. C. F. *Graham, MissC.D.G....... Graham, Miss V. E......... *Gravestock, Miss I. F., B.A... Gray, Mrs. M. Green, J. A. ees eee ee ee & Gregory, B. J. Groome, L. G., B.Sc., A.I.M. GHOSE As ING bc bd sss ecccess Groves, Miss C. © .......... Grundy, Miss M. E......... Habgood, Miss M. E. ...... Haggett, Dr. P., M.A., Ph.D. Pera ESS, ory oss ees ews Hamand, Miss T. M., B.A... Hamiblett, D. Reo... 0. cess *Hamilton, D., B.A., M.Sc. .. Hamilton, Mrs. D., A.R.C.M. Hamilton, Mrs. G. R. ...... Hamilton, Miss R., B.Sc..... Hamilton, R. G., M.A. ...... Hamlyn, Miss M. E., B.Sc. .. Hammacott, H. R. Hanimiersley,, FE. B. ......... Hammersley, Mrs. E. L. .... Hampson, Dr. W. G. J., M.A., PRG G Oe Ys tele ee Hampson, Mrs. W. G. J. .... amhami Js Re. s...6.. coe. ee eecececee Hanham, Mrs. J. R. ...32... Harding, Miss J. M. D. anper: BVGi i's. eb. al Harris iMiass EB. s).5. 5.7.00. Harris, Miss M. C., B.Sc..... Harris, R. ererIS, WWIES ORR. . kod bc ow wee A AIISOI Vik.) cs se ee ee ee Harrison, W. H., B.Sc... Hanill, Dr. G. G., M.R.C.S; 1 Ss 5 GH 2 a Marnll, Mrs. G.G. ......-.. Faskins, Miss'C. J. ........ 203 Dept. of Zoology, Imperial College of Science and Technology, Prince Consort Road, London, S.W.7 83 Sea Mills Lane, Bristol 9 Denny Lodge, Lake Road, Portishead, Nr. Bristol Rhodway, Bristol Road, Congresbury, Nr Bristol Do. 8 Cranleigh Gardens, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 28 Kingsdown Parade, Bristol 6 St. George’s Hall, Dudley College of Educa- tion, King Edmund Street, Dudley, Worcs. 21 The Causeway, Coalpit Heath, Nr. Bristol 8 Orchard Drive, Sandford, Nr. Bristol Hickmans Court, Blakeney, Glos. 21 Bayswater Avenue, Redland, Bristol 6 46 Burley Crest, Downend, Bristol g Burlington Road, Redland, Bristol 6 5 Tun Bridge Close, Chew Magna, Nr. Bristol 21 Ashley, Kingswood, Bristol 14 Coombe Bridge Avenue, Bristol 9 71 Riding Barn Hill, Wick, Nr. Bristol 25 Old Sneed Avenue, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Do. 32 Kingsway Road, Burnham-on-Sea, Som. Long Ashton Research Station, Long Ash- ton, Nr. Bristol Tanglewood, Cuckoo Lane, Wraxall, Nr. Bristol Ross-Lyn, Middleway Lane, Broadoak Hill, Dundry, Bristol Roseway, West End, Nailsea, Nr. Bristol 68 Bromley Heath Road, Downend, Bristol Do. 11 Ladywell, Court Farm, Wrington, Nr. Bristol Do. 8 Laurie Crescent, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Do. 4 Bell Barn Rd., Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol 64 Wedmore Vale, St. John’s Lane, Bristol 3 88 West Broadway, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Rhodway, Bristol Road, Congresbury, Nr. Bristol Flat 18, The Alders, Frenchay Manor Park, Frenchay, Bristol Do. 44 Frogmore Park Drive, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey Malt House, Chelwood, Nr. Bristol 207 Stockwood Lane, Bristol Stone House, High Street, Chipping Sod- bury, Nr. Bristol Do. 13 Freemantle Road, Upper Eastville, Bristol 5 204 MEMBERSHIP LIST Hateh, MiassiR., Ayn... es erre * Hawkins, A.B., B.Sc., Ph.D., PGS.) os een sete ha ee Blayines, Miss:B nw i: cries bo. Garey Heckels, Miss A., B.Sc. ... Hembrough, Miss E. M. .... Hendry, G. A. F., A.C.A. Henwood, Miss S. M. Hewlett, Miss C. M. E., M.Sc. Higgs, G. Pligusvirs iG. (30 2 eae . Hiley, Miss M. D. Hill-Cottingham, Dr. D. G., M.Sc “PhiDi? © ARG. M.I. Biol. *Hill-Cottingham, Mrs. D G., Biscs MeL Bole. «3.253930 24 Hill-Cottingham, R......... Hills, J. oececee eee ee eee eee eoeoseevree ee see eee eevee PAalisS Wiis) ceessye epsieees 2 eon Hinton, Virst io cers oes es obbs}Mirs1Gsts ts ree Hobbs, S. Hockey,’ HG. Hockey; Nirss Hh Gow es fine Hogwood, Mass i; IMs 2s. Holbrook, Wi}; eee S016) \e) ‘e's Ke «661-6; 8 Holgate, Miss M. E., M.A... . Hollingworth, N. H., B.Sc., CuPLA, Holloway, Mrs. M. M....... Holloway, R. W. Hollowell A. a]. B.Sc.) 2 eee Hollowell, Mrs. A. J., M.A., A.M.A. Holmes, R. G. L. Holmes, Mrs. R. G. L. Holmes, W. A. Cr ee Oey ewexe «: @ ©, sie ee eee eee ee ee ee ee oer ee eee eee cee eee Hopkins, M. J. G. Hopkins, W. J. H. Horler, S. Howard, R. W., M.R.C.V.S. ere ee ee es eee ewes Howe, S. R., B.Sc. Hudson, Dr. M. A., Ph.D. .. Hudson, Dr. T. G. F., M.D., B.S., F.R.C.P. Hughes, Professor M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D. Hughes-Games, Dr. METS: SCHSBEY oe) ot tccawers Hulbert, R. C. Hulbert Mrs. RecCs:... 524202 coc eee eee core eee ewe eo ee Nurses Home, Bristol Maternity Hospital, Queen Victoria House, Bristol 6 Winifred Cottage, Oxleaze Lane, Dundry, Bristol 27 High Street, Wick, Nr. Bristol 5 Prince’s Buildings, Clifton, Bristol 8 Oakhurst, London Road, Warmley, Kings- wood, Bristol 12 Castle Street, Thornbury, Nr. Bristol 31 Berkeley Square, Bristol 8 4 Cavendish Crescent, Bath, Som. 65 Wootton Crescent, St. Anne’s, Bristol 4 Do. 37 Queen’s Court, Clifton, Bristol 8 36 Station Road, Backwell, Nr. Bristol Do. Do. Grove Cottage, Church Lane, Flax Bourton, Bristol Do. 4 Oakfield Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 48 Queen’s Court, Clifton, Bristol Do. Greystones, 20 Ham Lane, Stapleton, Bristol O. 69 Hampton Park, Redland, Bristol 6 30 Silverstone Way, Congresbury, Nr. Bristol 47 Goodwin Drive, Whitchurch, Bristol 4 67 Mizzymead Rise, Nailsea, Nr. Bristol 7 Eastcombe Road, Weston-super-Mare, Som. 94 Broad Street, Staple Hill, Bristol 170 Wells Road, Knowle, Bristol 4. 81 Cranbrook Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Do. 24 Hughenden Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Do. 1 Cotswold Avenue, Sticker, St. Austell, Cornwall 9g Penylan Oval, Cyncoed, Cardiff g Churchill Road, Wells, Som. 1 The Crescent, Backwell, Nr. Bristol | Warners Lodge, Chewton Keynsham, Nr. | Bristol 15 Victoria Road, Saltford, Nr. Bristol Research Station, Long Ashton, Bristol 97 Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Dept. of Zoology, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 Bridge Cottage, Half Acre Close, Whit- church, Bristol No Name, Easter Compton, Nr. Bristol Do. Humphris, N. MEMBERSHIP LIST 205 Diy cap ereartces Humphris, Mrs. N. P., B.Sc. Hunter, Mrs. J. M., M.I.Biol. Huntley, Mrs. Hurfurt, C. .. — bebe oe. \ uerell, MissuL. EB. 44... 08% Piutchimsom,. Mois 5.6 ayes 6s + one biylton, Dr. W.H. ........ Hylton, Mrs. W. 4H., B.A., he R.G.Pig Mam. G.s. i... Tow! ft. eco ee ee ee ee eo 8 Fiddlers Bottom, Abbotside, Cromhall, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos. Do. Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol Boxwell Court, Tetbury, Glos. 17 Abbots Avenue, Hanham, Kingswood, Bristol Moorgate, South Brent, South Devon 32 Woodland Grove, Coombe Dingle, Bristol 22 Linden Road, Clevedon, Som. Do. 24 Montague Hill, Kingsdown, Bristol 2 Insole, Dr. A. N., B.Sc., Ph.D. The City Museum, Queen’s Road, Bristol 8 Jackson, Mrs. Divers): he 5, seh Jago, Miss I. M., B.Sc....... James, D. M., L.I.Biol. ijames, Mrs, Do M. ......... James, Miss B. James, Miss E. Jarman, Mrs. Jarrett, J. M. Jarrett, Mrs. J. *Jayne, A. F. Jeffery, Dr. D. M.R.C.S. Jeffery, F. R. Ay seliSiis out . eoocece eee ee ee o cooceeoer ee ee eee Mises felis 5,4 iN) Ise re eee eee ecoeee eee ee ee ew C., M.B., eee ee ee ee ee we oO Chantry Cottage, Chew Magna, Nr. Bristol 8 Cote Paddock, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 13 Chestnut Road, Long Ashton, Nr. Bristol Do. 6 Wharton’s, Callington Road, Brislington, Bristol 4 D O. 6 Tyndall’s Court, 48 Tyndall’s Park Road, Bristol 8 61 Providence Lane, Long Ashton, Nr. Bristol Do. Alwyn Cottage, 55 Bury Hill, Winterbourne Down, Nr. Bristol 24. Monks Park Avenue, Horfield, Bristol 7 18 Seventh Avenue, Northville, Bristol 7 3 Woodhall Close, Downend, Bristol Jenkins, Dr. F.G., M.B., Ch.B. 51 Redcliff Hill, Bristol 1 Wiembans Drs GS foo. . ote seo ace ifenkams,,JMirs., M.iGe wan i... Jervis, Miss M. E., M.A. .... Hobos, Gy Wess ord cls ces ae lOlly,, Miss. Ric. soe ae ces Jones, Mrs. E. | Deane rare iflones;Vinss M. Ri: .2.....%. Jones; L..T. sJomes; Missi My Tan... 6 6 eee ss Jordan, C..... Ma vitEn”.. 1’. Kay, Mrs. H. *Kearns, Professor H. G. H., ¢. PhD. .-D:Sc: O.B.E., B.S eee ee ee ee ee we wo cece e ee eo eo ew wo Keefe, Miss O. A. .......... C. *Kellaway, G. A., B.Sc., F.G.S. Kelly, Mrs. S. AP se aka selon es erap;, J. H.,.B.A...........- Kennard, A. 201 Wellington Hill West, Westbury-on- Trym, Bristol 47 Rookery Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 4 Bellevue Court, Bellevue Crescent, Clifton, Bristol 8 14. Abson Road, Pucklechurch, Nr. Bristol 221 Down Road, Portishead, Nr. Bristol 6 Hammond Gardens, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Do. 14. Valley Road, Mangotsfield, Nr. Bristol Chesterfield House, Atlantic Road South, Weston-super-Mare, Som. g Carrington Road, Ashton, Bristol 3 Birdwell Cottage, Tower House Lane, Wraxall, Nr. Bristol Do. Clive Weare House, Clewer, Wedmore, Som. 141 Ashton Drive, Ashton Vale, Bristol 3 Institute of Geological Sciences, 5 Princes Gate. London, S.W.7 11 Hill Burn, Henleaze, Bristol Greystones, Charlton, Radstock, Bath, Som. 9g Trenchard Road, Saltford, Nr. Bristol 206 MEMBERSHIP LIST Kenney, Mrs. D. J. ........ 53 St. Michael’s Hill, Bristol 2 Kington, B. L., B.A. ........ 64 New Rd., Water Orton, Nr. Birmingham Kinsella; Mirss]. vse). a clsates Friar’s Halt, St. Mary’s Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol 8 Knight, Jr.) BSc.) sa. Highbridge Cottage, Highbridge Green, Bishopsworth, Bristol Knight Ro dicctiner fo cee eo Da Marmelo, Church End, Charfield, Glos. Knight its so. oe 2's cee Do. Knowlson, Mrs. M. E....... 16 Sion Hill, Clifton, Bristol 8 Kerajenski,,. Mis: Be .ii.25 .. «5, 496 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol 7 Laden As Bt. Sn Gctiain® 10 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol 8 DsAKer VV ee a on isles 2 eae 47 Rockside Drive, Bristol 9 Lance HGR. wT. oo. sere tj a 22 Julian Road, Sneyd Park, Bristol 9 Lance, Mis, HO R.,H.. .,... «0 Do. Vane, sPat ls, eC: sks cae eis 36 Knowle Road, Bristol 4 Eangdon, (G.i)k oA ae 10 The Glebe, Timsbury, Nr. Bath, Som. Langdon, MrsiG.J.)....a0225 Do. Lanham, Mrs. R. E. o..... 44 6 Gordano Gardens, Easton-in-Gordano, Nr. Bristol Laver; Miss J. G0 28.2... 129 Richmond Road, Montpelier, Bristol 6 H. *Leach, A. C., T.D., M.A. .. Lower Lodge, Knoll Hill, Bristol 9 ees Pi biG... 258 see 5 Gordon Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 eet wGe ys. obit dee? Rostherne, The Scop, Almondsbury, Nr. Bristol LeeVivirs. TRG... 2th... 2248 Do. lee, Niassus.. Cages cc ciaciaes eet 78 The Dell, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol * Reese. 1G. i ESCs. 2 eee 32 Haverstock Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 iuenton; Miss Es J .28 028) 5 St. Stephen’s Court, Bath, Som. C. Lepper: J. Dv... Aiea Thewiss Wiss Seno. si crete a lars 37 Filton Avenue, Bristol 7 Lewis, MisssMi. Ju na 25 8.4 =. 12 Chester Park Road, Fishponds, Bristol Lewis, Miss S., B.Sc., M.I.Biol. 20 Westacres, Passage Road, Brentry, Bristol Lewton, J. (S530 lah se. 15 Randall Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Ladell¥ Sei yeti P.O. Stores, Moorlynch, Bridgwater, Som. Tatton; ‘(Miss’* Ds Mis 22258 10 St. Alban’s Road, Westbury Park, Bristol 6 Lallico; MisssJ.9W' 4.) ak 45 Downleaze, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Eindsay/Miss'Ga es, floes. Garden Flat, 8 Rodney Place, Clifton, Bristol 8 Lippiatt;-Miss*Ee My... 3... Amber-Leigh, Rudgeway, Nr. Bristol Little, Dr. C., B.A., Ph.D. .. Dept. of Zoology, University of Bristol, Bristol Llewellyn; iC. Boss ois os aes 13 Wellington Walk, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Lloyd, Miss ii) (Maire, Jae. 13 Victoria Square, Clifton, Bristol 8 As oader, Rive ee see okay ae 31 Knowle Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 Loader, ReiPite a5 sth hts tea 27 Belluton Road, Knowle, Bristol C.F Locker Si a Ore. ined ty Museum and Art Gallery, Newport, Mon. Lovell; Miss .Ji.Ms «ae eres) 2 Tibbott Road, Stockwood, Bristol Lucas, A. D., M.B.O.U. .... 40 Royal York Crescent, Clifton, Bristol 8 Tpusmore; Nis none cae 28 First Avenue, Highfields, Dursley, Glos. Eyddons Way: pont oc teree 59 Birchall Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Lyddon,, Mrsak.) B. .:.233 2 a5. Do. Mack, Mrs. B. Mis. 0.0 2/0 Bell Court, Nympsfield, Stonehouse, Glos. Mackeson, Mrs. F.G. M. .. 35 Durdham Park, Bristol 6 MacLeod, R. M., B.A. ...... 3 Victoria Gardens, Cotham, Bristol 6 MacMillan, Mrs. A., B.Sc., 1 Rylestone Grove, Westbury-on-Trym, PDs oes fis Speke. cas: Posen ay eisie Bristol Magecan, » Bae. icra 25 Alexandra Park, Redland, Bristol 6 MEMBERSHIP LIST 207 ANPING Se Dyes a0 oem 6 essen, els Mander, D. C., M.A., B.Sc. Manning, I. A. J., B.Sc. .... Marston, Mrs. P., B.A....... Martin, Dr. M. H., B.Sc., PPD ages Bhi ens Fea wi ase « H. *Matthews, Dr. L. Harrison, MA... D.Sc.,; F:R.S., F.L.S. Mawlc, Miss Gi. Je. ccs es Metall ajiz Ge Roi ow. ose oss McKeag, Mrs. I. M......... tre) croc I Bae (ee ae McOmie, Dr. J. F. W., M.A., Phil, DSc <5 sere aes McOmie, Mrs. J. F. W., JL Oe Al Kes Gals pee ear a Meade-King, M. G., B.A. Meade-King, Mrs. M.G. .. Merchant, Miss E. M....... GG.” WMerrie, 1. DY FH. BA....... Messiter, Miss F. E., B.Sc., [PEE SS A Rages alae lie ahaa a an a Go Milburn, Orn ob ee eee ee Mailburne, Mrs.D.: 2... 22. Miller, K. W., B.Sc., M.B., Cin: ob Again ae Milligan Bs VV. Bes... os ae PUUMNEGHAGE ee ok oo Sys shee nce 6 24 ers Milton, METS. [oss en, ees 2 os Mobbs, Nis. Bo jy R. |... ... Morgan, Miss VV. ........... Morns, Wirs--P. Mi. oe Iioysey GaP eis co.cc lee Moysey, Mrs. G. F., B.Sc. Mullinger, Mrs. M. R. M., DUS TOL eaNore: hgh ie ete ena Mundy, Miss O. S., B.Sc... Musson, Mrs. A. E. ........ INES oR Os ea = Nash, Mrs. R. H. .........°. C. Nature Conservancy (The) .. Jk SSG (gh ES INCOSE fo oceFans he sis os SToare Nethercott,, P. J. M........... IWettle, Mass B. Gi 0... tte Neville, Miss M., B.Sc. .... C. Neville, Dr. R. S. W., B.Sc., en NT Fe ZE. acer a teha.fes sys Newson, Dr. M. D., B.Sc., [LTA BT ee Niblett, E.G. M. . 0. sc ces PSU ION RIVENS ORR. osc safe) suse je oare's 5 Lansdown Terrace, Kellaway Avenue, Bristol 6 34A Stoke Hill, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 26 Gathorne Road, Southville, Bristol 3 50 The Deans, Portishead, Nr. Bristol Dept. of Botany, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 The Old Rectory, Stansfield, Sudbury, Suffolk. 12 Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol 6 10 Melrose Close, Yate, Nr. Bristol 3 Alma Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 17 Woodhill Road, Portishead, Nr. Bristol 16 Richmond Hill, Clifton, Bristol 8 Do. 5 Worcester Crescent, Clifton, Bristol 8 D Oo. 14 Merfield Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 West Fairwood, Dollar, Clackmannanshire. 1 Tyndall’s Park Road, Bristol 8 6 Firs Hamlet, Firs Close, West Mersea, Essex Syston Court Cottage, Mangotsfield, Bristol The Coach House, Lower Claverham, Nr. Bristol 16 Blenheim Road, Bristol 6 10 Randall Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Do. 1 Logan Road, Bishopston, Bristol 7 305 New Cheltenham Road, Kingswood, Bristol 103 Passage Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol 2 Stockhill Cottages, Priddy, Wells, Som. Do. 22 Dryleaze, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos. 1 Tyndall’s Park Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 40 Stonewell Park Road, Congresbury, Nr. Bristol 43 Avon Way, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Do 19-20 Belgrave Square, London, S.W.1 70 Trym Side, Sea Mills, Bristol 1 Randall Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 6 Hazelwood Court, Hazelwood Road, Bristol 9 3 Beaufort Road, Kingswood, Bristol 10 Duchess Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 22 Albert Drive, Deganwy, Conway, Caerns. Setterfields, Christmas Common, Watlington, Oxon Woodlands, Woodlands Road, Portishead, Nr. Bristol Grosvenor Cottage, Northwick, Dundry, Bristol 208 MEMBERSHIP LIST Nicholls, Miss D. I., B.A..... 151 West Town Lane, Bristol 4 Nicholls, Drs Fi. J. Lis ses. Blackbarrow, Norton-sub-Hamdon, Som. NorringtontGo. ao. se 2a 32 Appledore Close, Hengrove, Bristol INerth; Miss SH. 5 7 Eastfield, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol OB riem ny ylcs Wicg nous + eps ene 82 Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol 4 ©’ Brien, Mis; FM. ewe Do. Ocborme, Rooks faa ch ae 1 Tratman Walk, Henbury, Bristol Osbomevk. boc. een als Do. OPIS MINE A ashes keris The Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge, Glos. O Leary Nissi Ane. ac: 21 Cotham Lawn Road, Cotham, Bristol 6 Olivier Re Ws ek oes corte 5 Hazelton Road, Bishopston, Bristol 7 OrnrmondiabeGe fs oe acto 1 Chapel Hill, Farleigh, Backwell, Nr. Bristol Osmaston, Dr. H. A., B.Sc., Dept. of Geography, University of Bristol, WE AS TD PHI, « cnisuxacy opens Bristol 8 QOwen its; NL) ocfaccatees 94 Shakespeare Avenue, Bath, Som. Packer, Mrs. K. M., M.A., .. 34 Cornwallis Crescent, Clifton, Bristol 8 Ai. WAGE IB Fit BAR Ye oe teicognit Wiens 27 Cotham Vale, Bristol 6 Pardoe, Mrs. Av V.. «..%..0% Glen Helen, The Dingle, Winterbourne Down, Nr. Bristol A. Parker, A. MaiM), oikcse% shscse Bracken Hill, Burwalls, Bridge Road, Bristol 8 Parker, Mrs. M. M......... 6 Stonehill, Hanham, Bristol Pagkin, W «(ice aise «9c tease 15 Kenmore Crescent, Filton Park, Bristol 7 Parmenter, Mrs. E., «2.26.50 10 Pulteney Street, Bath, Som. Parry sMis. Msg anissair aps esceere 127 Cromwell Road, Bristol 6 Parry-Jones, J., Wing-Cdr., M. Eng., A.F.R.Ae.S. .... 16 Blenheim Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Parsley, (Mass Di Vga 9. :ctete Forwood House, Minchinhampton, Stroud, Glos. Riddell, Prof. A. G., M.B.E., st bere rial Dis] Ga Corbys, Castle Road, Clevedon, Som. POGICK:, Sede Sacre vo ib as 179 King’s Head Lane, Bedminster Down, Bristol 3 Raddick,:Mirs: S.J. °......0% Do. eM Foe sae ci byeie el Wlies 19 Glen Drive, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Raley, Mrs B.D... . 66. Do. Roach) Nits. Ge. ssc. c eas 16 Southfield Court, Southfield Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Beoberts W)7T 0%, 6. NV Aa de 2 Chatford House, Clifton Down, Clifton, Bristol 8 Reberts) Mis: Ju Te soe. Do. MOOS Mores aes cca y's 9g Weston Crescent, Horfield, Bristol 7 Robson, Miss J. K. ........ Tanglewood, Burwalls Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol 8 Robson, Mrs. L. M. ........ 12 Hillside Road, Long Ashton, Nr. Bristol Roe, Capt. R. G. B., O.B.E., Lol hae nc te eA ee 56 Bloomfield Avenue, Bath, Som. ioe? Mrs. RG: Be wee. Do. 210 MEMBERSHIP LIST *Rogers, Miss M. H., M.A. .. Top Flat, Vyvyan House, Clifton Park, Bristol 8 Rogers, Mrs. M. J., M.A. .. Woodlands Farm, Abson, Wick, Nr, Bristol Rome. Misr Fl. tR sen oe oe 25 Avon Way, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Rose. Do) 3445 ha oe 11 Castle Gardens, Bath, Som. FL, EROss,. Bet Sat pores F «x snore Sle cgay 25 Tugela Road, Uplands, Bristol 3 Rowat,- Wiss (Be 2:5 2s 3 stesst - 27 High Street, Wick, Nr, Bristol IROWEN Yo. kenge crs cies eee 97 Druid Stoke Avenue, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 ROWE RAN «seeps reas niatee bite Stonewell Lane, Congresbury, Nr. Bristol IROVlE Me rides size cee eae ewes 13 Sea Mills Lane, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Rovier Mrs: Be Eber bes 3 eexee Do. Russell, Mrs. A. M., B.Sc..... Pine Croft, Alveston, Nr. Bristol Sainsbury, Dr. M., A.C.T., Res. RCs Pass Vaal so 6 GE Sigal hari ctr et 34 Torridge Road, Keynsham, Bristol SaltereMrs. BeBe ...6245 24 The Long House, High Hall, Compton Martin, Nr. Bristol Sander/@Mrs.Be Mi oeort 2% 14 The Drive, Henleaze, Bristol *Savage, Dr. R. J. G., B.Sc., Dept. of Geology, University of Bristol, PhD) FS. :G:S.,:F:2.5. Bristol 8 Savage, Mrs. R. Jt Gag? act 5 Clifton Vale, Clifton, Bristol 8 Sawyer); Murs A.M. ...6..0) Scaurs House, Westaway Close, Yatton, Som. Scasenis Putas tensd «access The Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden, Wisley, Ripley, Woking, Surrey Scawin, Mrs. M., B.Sc. .... Quistholme, Knole Park, Almondsbury, Bristol Scherr,,, Mass, J; M.S.) B:A., PN NacANG fools oon aegis ee hee 21 Caledonia Place, Clifton, Bristol 8 Scott, Sir Peter, C.B.E., D.S.C., LL.D:, E:Z:8., M.B:0:.U. The Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge, Glos. Searle, Mass! Ts: a Seuss « osjeigs 19 Pendock Road, Winterbourne, Nr. Bristol phaddickwD. . sy muni soem 49 Callington Road, Brislington, Bristol 4 Shaddick, Mrs. D........¢f. Do. Shearer; Miss Q..M. . .« sis: 75 Thornleigh Road, Horfield, Bristol 7 Sheppard, Gai s s/o teas 13 Hardwick Road, Pill, Bristol *Silcocks, ‘TV. B.,E-GiA,. <.6fk:- The Quest, Glen Avenue, Abbots Leigh, Bristol Silcocks; -Mirs.3b "Ba. 320.202 Do. Simmonds;J a: Gi ogee: 5 Long Ashton Road, Long Ashton, Nr Bristol Simmonds, Mrs. J. H. G..... Do. Simmons, (Bilas «5.6 fades 12 Park Avenue, Chippenham, Wilts. H. *Skene, Prof. Macgregor, D.Sc., 6 Dover Court, Abdon Avenue, Selly Oak, BA SiS. setts whew. spit Birmingham 29 Skinner, PUR. he SS. osicbhbe 20 Orchard Avenue, Thornbury, Nr. Bristol Skone: Dt: jak. orci}. . bse 55 The Pines, Hazelwood Road, Bristol 9 Skone, Mirs.J.>B. rier bette Do. Sleigh, Dr. M. A., B.Sc., Ph.D. Dept. of Zoology, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 Smeed) iJ. st Seat Lake: 12 David’s Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 Smeed, Mirsidie Jui. asneceve.2 Do. Smith, Miss A. H. M. ...... 11 Reedley Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol *Smith, Dr. C. E. D., Ph.D. .. 5 Downleaze, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9 Smith, 1D. ie; MSc. .8 on: Dept. of Geography, University of Bristol, Bristol 8 A; Smith, DoR Me ot: Sees 12 Oakland Road, Redland, Bristol 6 C. MEMBERSHIP LIST 211 Sambi peep Seri ood fd « wi sreysner sie Since 18 Beechwood Road, Nailsea, Nr. Bristol Sieh oe (ds Be 58 Sandling Avenue, Horfield, Bristol 7 Smith, Dr. J. O., B.Sc., Ph.D., 17 Worlebury Park Road, Weston-super- le licel LCE Ie Mare, Som. *Smith, M. C., M.A., B.Sc..... Church Farm House, Winford, Nr. Bristol Smaith, Miss .N..M.. 20. ..% 6 Tyne Road, Bishopston, Bristol 7 Sratun bs Joy B.Ed es oe ea 7 Greville Road, Southville, Bristol 3 Sra De Peace cee oe 45 Oakleigh Gardens, Oldland, Bristol Southam, E. V., B.A. ...... 2 Old Church Road, Nailsea, Nr. Bristol Sparks, P. Hey Mia. ooc0.s.. The Old Vicarage, Compton Abdale, Cheltenham, Glos. Sparks, irs. PT... ..'. 5 Do. Sperrings, Miss M. W....... Flat 26p, The Crescent, Soundwell, Bristol Sprttal Oyu vA LeAw” 2.658 The Shieling, 162 Church Road, Frampton Cotterell, Nr. Bristol Sputtal,.Wirs: Cy Jie. secs. ds Do. Stear, Mrs. K. A., B.Sc. .... 30 Cote Lea Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Stephenson, Mrs. J.0........ Plot 3, Moorhouse Lane, Hallen, Nr. Bristol SHeHMeLT.. Bs 8 os ew ck eee g Charlcombe Way, Bath, Som. Sterne, Mrs F. R., B.Sc. .... Do. Stevenson, C.R. B. Sc., F.G.S. Dept. of General Studies, College of Further Education, Richmond Road, Kingston- upon-Thames, Surrey Steward, Mirs..S; .......6- 4 Radford Hill, Timsbury, Nr. Bath, Som. Sis Oa Jet ails 0). aes aes 10 East Parade, Sea Mills, Bristol 9 SLOG Kh Vets chile diners a na «male Hollow Road, Shipham, Winscombe, Som. GcKer, VATS. Tok ss. c ae on ss 25 Shaldon Road, Horfield, Bristol 7 OMG IN Mi eo ais jb see se © 12 Tower Road, Kingswood, Bristol COME IC hea cs Guile eee ae 30 Rozel Road, Horfield, Bristol 7 Stone, Mrs acs sie s coe ere oe Do. Se gela/ a Met OA ae ae 75 Naishcombe Hill, Wick, Nr. Bristol Stride, W. H. B., L.D.S. .... 6 Briarwood, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Stwhis, Re Mos... ews seas oe oe Green Orchard, Compton Greenfield, Easter Compton, Nr. Bristol Stubbs, Mrs. R. Ui.) ..c.-e3 <3 Do. muttom. Miss E.R... .. sks. The Garden Flat, 14 Westfield Park, Redland, Bristol 6 Swanborough, Mrs. J. E. .... Amberley, Pew Hill, Chippenham, Wilts. * Sweet, G., M.B.O.U......... 40 Cornwallis Crescent, Clifton, Bristol 8 weet, Mirss Gy as cicteye 0 50 Do. sydennam, W.I.J.,........ 230 Overndale Road, Fishponds, Bristol mayimes, RG.» B.Sc... 005. 7 a uray Portishead, Nr. Bristol Rites IMTS. Ray Gry ces srs ows Symonds, Miss J.M. ....... 22 Elliston Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Falbot, Mrs. E..A. «3s... 255. 29 Riverleaze, Sea Mills, Bristol DARIO, Pea Bg. a rie 8 5 5 0.9.0,5 8 9,8 42 Alma Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Taylor Mrs. A..F. °.... 555. Do. Wavionr, Cou). He... igs sess 12 Claremont Avenue, Bishopston, Bristol 7 Waylor, Mrs. M.O. ........ Vale Wood, Lyde Green, Mangotsfield, Bristol *Taylor, S. M., B.Sc., ACMGT.Mech.E. ......-... Glenalan, 20 Station Road, Nailsea, Nr. Bristol Mayior, Wirs..5. MM.) i... : «2 Do. Taylor, Miss W. M.O’H..... 24 Northumberland Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Thomas, Dr. A. E., B.Sc., M.R.G.S., L.R.C.P. ...... 10 Ridgeway Road, Long Ashton, Nr. Bristol Thomas, Miss J. M. ........ 18 Montrose Avenue, Redland, Bristol 6 212 MEMBERSHIP LIST Thomas, Miss K. M., B.A. .. 168 Brynland Avenue, Bishopston, Bristol 7 Dhomas Re Gees cee es me 51 Wellington Hill West, Westbury-on- Tiym, Bristol D Thomas, Mrs. R. G.:....2) Oo. Thomas! sMiss\Ve Miers ote oe. 12 Dene Road, Whitchurch, Bristcl Thompson, Mrs. M. E. .... 4 Ferndown Close, Kingsweston, Avonmouth, Bristol Thompson; :RI OW. 2.53% 2 18 Emlyn Road, Greenbank, Bristol 5 Thompson, Mrs. R. W. .... Do. Dhomsongh.B.SCu pice o. . Hall Pool, Marden, Hereford Thornhill, eA. ©. ald: wee 50 Church Lane, Farleigh, Backwell, Nr. Bristol Phreadgold. JR sams 2s) Pte 5 Newhaven Place, Portishead, Nr. Bristol Wilsley, (Mars: Dei 20% ee 1 Lower Linden Road, Clevedon, Som. ‘Femlinson, P., MsDii. 22. :.. 45 Grove Road, Coombe Dingle, Bristol 9 Topham; Missi. As 52. alee. 65 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, Bristol 8 MOVEY. VAtSs |i dus tre aici te oes Tockington Manor, Tockington, Nr. Bristol Tirapnell, C. G., O.B.E., M.A. Pine Leigh, Church Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol 8 “Mrounsonm,, iiss Bi 20s.< © =: cenece 35 Melbury Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 Pulloch-wrwh aie. goss onc toye 20 Dublin Crescent, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol WumstallyR. Bi, MSc... 2... Ridgeway, Brinsea Road, Congresbury, Nr. Bristol Tunstall, Mrs: Ri B:, 5.8c, ... Do. Turnbull, Mrs. S. M. C. .... 28 Woodleigh Gardens, Whitchurch, Bristol AOTRGR, cA Cras helenae ste oo Gees 16 Victoria Square, Clifton, Bristol 8 Turner, H. W., M.A., F.G.S. The Cottage, Kensington Place, Clifton, Bristol 8 Vance, Murs, Fi oNie gcc 50 Hillcrest Road, Nailsea, Nr. Bristol Varley, Mrs.gN itis ae ag. c 43 Filton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol 7 Wiassalliy Mrs Wye ots sc cpecee 49 Alma Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 Wiauighan I. Dy 3-4. n cusuateneaess 15 Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 . “Vernon, J. D, R:, B:Sc., INE BOSC) pes are inte etncere sae 55 Wolfridge Ride, Alveston, Nr. Bristol PN CrnOny Wo Bet mice ecietc ch sgaers Wyngarth, Easter Compton, Nr. Bristol WACKErS AE feds mesic een ppetece ie Merriedown, Old Lane, Tickenham, Cleve- don, Som. Vickery,; Miss -P.0Mi o. 7. 2. 20 Dundonald Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Vine, Miss D. J., N.F.F. .... 64 The Crescent, Henleaze, Bristol Vinnicombe, Miss E. J., B.Sc., Ey cap ehe scot Rena 2 ty aa 32 Ridgeway Road, Long Ashton, Bristol Vooght, Miss; Pr AT a 2. 37 Lansdown Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Vowles, D. G., B.Sc.(Econ.) 2 York Avenue, Ashley Down, Bristol 7 . *Waldman, Dr. M., M.Sc. .. Stowe School, Buckingham IWralkersGe icra. sc ete ress 4 Beechwood Road, Nailsea, Nr. Bristol Walker, Mrs; G.. 2.3.2". 5: Do. Wallach, Mrs. M. B......... Top Flat, 58 Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 | Wallington, Miss J. 2 .....:. 16 Heathfield Road, Nailsea, Nr. Bristol | Wallington, WasA: 3.2 on. 2 2) Do. . *Wallis, Dr. F. S., D.Sc., Ph.D., | eG Se iene onset ese 5 High Green, Easton, Nr. Wells, Som. Walters, Mass Me Jy.c 205. 6 Kew Walk, Brislington, Bristol 4 *Warden, D., B.V.M.S....... Centaur, Ham Lane, Bishop Sutton, Nr. Bristol Wareham, Miss F.H. E..... 42 Dark Lane, Backwell, Nr. Bristol Warin, DroUR OPS wi... oe ses 41 Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol 8 31d C. MEMBERSHIP LIST 213 WAAETISS) Peo oc bc ccs ce valet os 16 Buckingham Place, Clifton, Bristol 8 Watkins, N. A., M.A.,F.R.E.S. Hazel Mead, Priory Road, Easton-in- Gordano, Nr. Bristol Watson, Miss S. M. ........ 22 Charlotte Street, Bristol 1 Wel AUR. noc sok cece vss Wistaria Mews, Newport House, Newport, Berkeley, Glos. Webb, Miss J. B., B.Sc. .... 12 Woodcliff Road, Weston-super-Mare, Som. Webb, Dr. N. R., B.Sc., Ph.D. The Nature Conservancy, Furzebrook Re- search Station, Wareham, Dorset. Webb, O. P. Clarkson, M.A... 4 Walnut Tree Close, Almondsbury, Nr. Bristol VCE KS NEM cic g's cu co 6 6 30578 4 Shepherds Way, Rickmansworth, Herts. VEIT RAIS Joao wie ote oye earls Cumberland House, Litfield Place, Clifton Down, Bristol 8 Welch, Dr. F. B. A., B.Sc., Penyllan, Gadshill Road, Charlton Kings, 1 Sais] EWR eae aia Bee eee Cheltenham, Glos. IGS Gp tL (es ene a 1 Townsend, Almondsbury, Nr. Bristol Westcott, Miss I. M., B.A., Babttieth) tise 3 efsieg ew’ i 20 Linden Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Westcott, Miss M. V., M.Sc. Do. Westwood, Miss M.I., B.Sc. 82 Coldharbour Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Whitehead, Mrs. S. L., ag 58 Ce 6 Shire Gardens, Shirehampton, Bristol Whiting, Dr. H. P., D.S.C., Dept. of Zoology, University of Bristol, VERA BEDE Bite as cellas Bristol Whaleox:,, Miss: J. Boss. cures oe 19 Henrietta Street, Bath, Som. Williams: RR. Ges te sec cose The Cottage, Stowell Hill, Tytherington, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos. Williams, Mrs. RR. G. ...... Do. VCC ec) a 14 Wellington Hill, Horfield, Bristol 7 H.*Willis, Prof. A. J., D.Sc., Dept. of Botany, The University, Sheffield Ph.D.,F.L.S. IV UISHUET VET SES te. cies soe 19 Cranham Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Wills, Mis. H. H.F. ..../.. Do. Willson, Miss A. Wynne .... The Mount, 2 Providence Lane, Long Ashton, Nr. Bristol Wilson, Mrs. M. H., L.R.A.M. 71 The Dell, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Wilton; Dr. TN. Ponce ss ees The Tower House, Knole Park, Almonds- bury, Nr. Bristol. D Walton) Mrs. T.N.P. ...... oO. Winchester, Miss A., B.A. .. 8 Priory Road, Portbury, Nr. Bristol Wann, Mrs. G. A. 0.4... 148 Falcondale Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Syvinter, Miss Be... 6 ce sees 151 West Town Lane, Bristol 4 Worrell, F. T., Ph.D. ...... 7 Cotham Lawn Road, Cotham, Bristol 6 Wvorrell, Mrs. F. 7. .......- Do. Weight, Miss P.O AL. Jc. 0... 29 West Mall, Clifton, Bristol 8 Yemm, Prof. E. W., B.A., yids e's do se oes 61 Long Ashton Road, Long Ashton, Bristol Yemm. Mrs. E. W., B.A... Do. H. *Yonge, Prof. C. M., C.B.E., Ph... D.Sc., F.R.S., a Sal ae eee a 13 Cumin Place, Edinburgh 9 Zoro, Dr. J. A., A.R.I.C..... 1 Iddesleigh Road, Redland, Bristol 6 Zoro, Mrs. J. A., B.Sc., A.L.A. Do. 214 MEMBERSHIP LIST AFFILIATED SOCIETIES BACKWELL— Backwell Comprehensive School, Natural History Society, Farleigh Road, Backwell, Nr. Bristol BATH— Bath Natural History Society BrisTOoL— Bedminster Down School, Donald Road, Bristol 3 Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society, Clifton, Bristol 8 Bristol Grammar School Field Club, Elton Road, Bristol 8 Bristol Ornithological Club Clifton College Natural History Society, Clifton College, Bristol 8 Clifton College Preparatory School Natural History Society, Clifton College, Bristol 8 Clifton High School Field Club, College Road, Bristol 8 College of St. Matthias, Fishponds, Bristol Portway Mixed Comprehensive School, Penpole, Shirehampton, Bristol Redland High School for Girls Field Club, Redland Court, Bristol 6 215 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1972 By A. J. WILLIs (Department of Botany, University of Sheffield) HE first three months of 1972 were milder and wetter than usual, but the spring growth was no earlier than normal, May being a cold month. June was much colder (by 3°C.) than average and was followed by below normal temperatures in July, August and September. Records for Long Ashton Research Station show that the cool summer resulted in a somewhat colder year than average in spite of a warm December, which was 2°C. milder than usual. This mild weather permitted, as in the winter of 1966, substantial overwintering of Azolla filiculordes Lam., reported from the Kennet and Avon Canal where it is increasing (/.F.G.), and also from Kenn Moor (A.F.D.). Total rainfall for the year was 842.8 mm. (33.18 in.), somewhat drier than usual, the period July to October being exceptionally dry, with only about one-third of the normal rainfall; however, February, April and December were very wet months. Although the summer was rather sunless, on average the sunshine hours for the year were very close to normal, March and October being sunny months. A substantial tally of new records in 1972 stems partly from intensive study of certain 10 km. squares for Flora purposes, and many gaps in the reported distribution of various species have been filled. Of special note is the discovery of Eleocharis uniglumis at Windsor Hill, Shepton Mallet, a considerable distance from other North Somerset localities for this plant. Also of great interest is the find of Corydalis claviculata at Highbury Hill, very near to its former station of St. Stephen’s Hill, near Temple Cloud. Several infrequent species not recorded in recent years have been confirmed as per- sisting in or near previously reported sites, e.g. Ceratophyllum submersum between Brean and Berrow, Asparagus officinalis and Elymus arenarius at Berrow. In July 1970, after over 80 years in the Falkland Islands, S.S. Great Britain returned for restoration to the dry dock in Bristol (on the south bank of the Avon). Scattered plants growing on ‘soil’ (largely of decayed wood fragments, rust scales and coal dust) on the decks were reported on by M. C. Smith in “The Flora of S.S. Great Britain’ (Watsonia, Vol. 9, Part 2, pp. 146-147, 1972). Of the twelve plants recorded, two occur in the Falklands but not in 216 A. J. WILLIS Britain; these are Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. (Caryophyll- aceae) and Empetrum rubrum Vahl (Empetraceae). Neither of these plants is listed in “The Adventive Flora of the Port of Bristol’ by Cecil I. Sandwith (The Botanical Society and Exchange Club of the British Isles, Report for 1932, Vol. X, Part 1, pp. 314-363). Of the other species, five are British and not known in the Falkland Islands and five occur both in Britain and the Falklands. In the latter category is Scirpus cernuus Vahl, common in the Falklands but not frequent around Bristol. In a paper entitled ‘A revision of Wezssia, subgenus Astomum. I. The European species’ by A. C. Crundwell and Elsa Nyholm (Journal of Bryology, Vol. 7, Part 1, pp. 7-19, 1972) reference is made to Weissia leviert (Limpr.) Kindb., first reported in Britain from Brean Down; the authors regard this as a ‘good species’. An article by E. GC. Wallace on ‘Tortella inflexa (Bruch) Broth. in England’ (Fournal of Bryology, Vol. 7, Part 2, pp. 153-156, 1972) notes the occurrence of this moss on Oolite in a wood, Warleigh. It is, however, known from rocks and stones on Oolite in several other sites in North Somerset (J. Appleyard, A Bryophyte Flora of North Somerset, Transactions of the British Bryological Society, Vol. 6, Part 1, D.253; 1970). Dr. R. M. Harley has brought to my notice a Botanical Pocket- Book, dated 1800, which has fairly recently been presented to the Library of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and which belonged to F. Bowcher Wright, F.L.S., who found the peony on Steep Holm. The book is annotated fairly copiously, details being given of the occurrence of plants in Somerset and especially in the region of Compton Martin, Harptree Combe and Paulton, near the home (at Hinton Blewett) of F. Bowcher Wright. The book contains a number of first records of plants in the Bristol district and some of these are cited in J. Rutter’s Delineations of the North Western Division of the County of Somerset. It is planned to abstract and subsequently report on these annotations. For many years, J. W. White’s The Flora of Bristol (1912) has been in much demand, but very difficult to obtain. It is now available as a facsimile reprint, published (1972) by the Chatford House Press Ltd., Bristol. This well-produced reprint of White’s classic work is _ most welcome. | Names of contributors associated with several records are abbreviated thus: J.A., Mrs. J. Appleyard G. H., G. Hendry TE Be Dr. T. E. T. Bond E.J.L., Miss E. J. Lenton J.F.B., J. F. Burton P.J.M.N., P. J. M. Nethercott C.H.C., C. H. Cummins M.J.D’O., M. J. D’Oyl A.F.D., Dr. A. F. Devonshire R.G.B.R., Capt. R.G.B. Roe, R.N G iss V. Graham M.A.S., Mrs. M. A. Silcocks Fe Gy Miss I. F. Gravestock BRISTOL BOTANY 217 G: Gloucestershire S: Somerset Blechnum spicant (L.) Roth. Binegar Bottom, S., L.F.G. Asplenium marinum L. One clump in rock crevice, south of the pier, Clevedon, S., 7.F.B. Cystopterts fragilis (L.) Bernh. Old workings, Sandford Hill, near Winscombe, §., /.F.G.; previously recorded for this area in 1915 (Miss I. M. Roper, ms.). Polystichum setiferum (Forsk.) Woynar. Plentiful in The Warren, above Walton Moor, and at Biddlecombe, near Wells, S., TG. Anemone nemorosa L. Lane near Highbridge, a considerable distance from other localities for this plant, S., 7.A. Ranunculus trichophyllus Chaix. In small pool, Ashton Park, S., C.H.C. Aquilegia vulgaris L. One plant, Ashton Hill Plantation, near Failand, .S., G.ii.C. Ceratophyllum submersum L. Rhine between Brean and Berrow, &., 7.A. This rare Horn-wort has been previously recorded from Lympsham (White Flora, p.528) and from Brent Knoll (1915, Miss I, M. Roper, ms.); the present record provides welcome evidence of its persistence in this area. Meconopsis cambrica (L.) Vig. Several plants, Inglestone Common, G., Mrs. I. M. Hockey. Corydalis claviculata (L.) DC. On Highbury Hill, near Temple Cloud, S., Mrs. M. Hickmott (per R.G.B.R.). White (Flora, pp. 138-9) refers to T. B. Flower’s locality of St. Stephen’s Hill for this plant, and reports its decline until 1890 and the failure to find it subsequently. Highbury Hill is on the other side of the stream from St. Stephen’s Hill, and both are sandstone outcrops with a flora unusual in the Bath district. The present record for Highbury Hill is a most interesting one, and apparently the first made this century indicating the plant’s persistence in this area. It is possible that the plant may formerly have had a rather wider distribution and has now disappeared from St. Stephen’s Hill itself (the plant has been looked for there 218 A. J. WILLIS unsuccessfully several times, R.B.G.R.). C. claviculata is very rare in the Bristol district, and the present site is its only station in North Somerset. Thlaspi arvense L. One plant under hedge in field, Knowle, Bristol, SAD. Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Rather plentiful as a garden weed, Leigh Woods, S., 7.£.7.B. Also present in 1971, but not seen previously. Reseda lutea L. Ashton Park, S., C.H.C. Viola hirta L. x odorata L. (V. x permixta Jord.). With parents, at Sandford Hill, near Winscombe, S., J.F.G. Earlier recorded from “Lyncomb Hill, Sandford’ by Miss I. M. Roper (Bristol Botany in 1918). Hypericum pulchrum L. Near Barrow Gurney reservoirs, S., 7.A. Silene maritima With. Plentiful on sea-cliffs, Church Hill and Wain’s Hill, and also on rocks south of the pier, Clevedon, S., 7.F.B. Malva moschata L. A white-flowered form, growing together with the usual pink form, adjoining Ashton Park, S., C.A.C. Althaea officinalis L. Still in some quantity above Sheperdine (as recorded by Riddelsdell et al. in Flora of Gloucestershire), and one plant at Sheperdine, G., P.7.M.N. Geranium pratense L. Roadside, near Weston-in-Gordano, S., C.H.C. G. pyrenaicum Burm.f. A form with white flowers, roadside near Cheddar Wood, S., P.7.M.N. G. columbinum L. Windmill Hill, Churchill, 8., P.7.M.N. The copy of White’s Flora annotated by C. I. and N. Y. Sandwith records this plant at Churchill Batch in 1916. G. rotundifolium L. Hedgebank, Long Ashton, S., C.H.C.; also lane at Dean, near Shepton Mallet, S., 7.A. This plant is scarce in the far south of the Bristol district and White (Flora) notes that it is ‘unknown in South Somerset’. BRISTOL BOTANY 219 Trifolium squamosum L. Several colonies, some small, mostly on the earthen river walls, between Oldbury-on-Severn and Hill Pill, G., P.7.M.N. The re-discovery of this plant by C. and N. Sandwith below New Passage is reported in Bristol Botany in 1920 and 1921. Vicia tetrasperma (L.) Schreb. Still at Sheperdine, G., P.7.M.N.; also in lane, near Portbury Wharf, S., A.F.D. Lathyrus nissolia L. Bank of rhine, Portbury Wharf, S., A.F.D. L. sylvestris L. Disused railway line, Saltford, S., 1.F.G. Potentilla tabernaemontani Aschers. Rocky outcrop in field near Redhill, S., 7.A.; also persistent in residential area of Leigh Woods by St. Mary’s Church, S., C. G. Trapnell. Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz. Cheddar Wood, S., P.7.M.N. Epilobium palustre L. Marsh, Windsor Hill, Shepton Mallet, S., I.F.G.; also marshy area, Biddlecombe, near Wells, S., LF.G. Torilis nodosa (L.) Gaertn. Sheephouse, S., M.A.S., and also near the sea wall, Portbury, S., 1.4.8. and A.F.D. Recorded as plentiful, sea-banks below Pill, 1958, P.7.M.N., ms. Apium graveolens L. Roadside, ‘Theale, S., 7.A., a station well inland for this plant. Berula erecta (Huds.) Coville. Churchill, 8., P.7.M.N. Euphorbia lathyrus L. On mound of waste material, Golf Course, Long Ashton, S., C.H.C. Atropa bella-donna L. Widely scattered on recently felled ground, Boxwell, G., M.7.D’O.; still in the Blaise Castle Estate, Bristol, G., P.F7.M.N. Also two plants in the garden of Wells Museum, S., 7.A. Hyoscyamus niger L. Several plants on recently felled ground, Boxwell, G., M.7.D’0. Veronica catenata Pennell. In rhine inland of sea-wall, near Portbury Wharf, S., A.F.D. C 220 A. J. WILLIS V. chamaedrys L. Several plants with white flowers, Arno’s Vale Cemetery, S:, APD. Lathraea squamaria L. About 100 spikes growing densely together in the area of the Observatory, Clifton Down, Bristol, G., P.7.M.N. This find is of particular interest in relation to its reported restricted occurrence (Bristol Botany in 1971) on the Gloucestershire side of the Gorge. Orobanche minor Sm. Associated with Trifolium repens L., Redland, Bristol, G., R. Mortimer; also in Ashton Park, S., C.H.C. Stachys arvensis (L.) L. Cornfield at Compton Dando, S., P.7.M.N. Scutellaria galericulaia L. By Oatfield Pool, northwest of Potters Hill, S., J.A.; also in ungrazed marsh, Stidcote Plat, ‘Tytherington, and ditch, Upper Wetmoor Woods, near Wickwar, G., G.H. Campanula trachelium L. Disused railway line, Saltford, S., I.F.G.; colonizing ballast in this area were Verbascum thapsus L. and Chaenorhinum minus (L.) Lange. Dipsacus pilosus L. Adjoining the River Frome between Iford and Freshtord,'S:,°2) 7.1: Cirsium eriophorum (L.) Scop. Abundant in field below Kelston near disused railway line, S., I.F.G. C’. arvense (L.) Scop. A number of distinctive plants with slightly lobed leaves, glabrous beneath, with only a few soft spines, together with the usual form, by allotments, Arno’s Vale, Bristol, S., A.F.D. Lactuca serriola L. Clarken Coombe, near Long Ashton, S., C.H.C. and A.F.D. L. virosa L. Waste ground, Highbridge Station and by the Town Hall, S., 7.A. Taraxacum laevigatum (Willd.) DC. Sandford Hill, near Winscombe, 8.5726: Triglochin palustris L. Marshy area, Biddlecombe, near Wells, S., C.-H. Huvfari. BRISTOL BOTANY 221 Convallaria majalis LL. Lane leading to Bodkin Hazel Wood, near Horton, G., V.G. Asparagus officinalis L. Sandy waste ground, Berrow, S., 7.4.; a welcome confirmation of the continued existence of this plant at Berrow (see White Flora). Ruscus aculeatus L. Near border of wood adjoining Kelston Park, S., LPG. Paris quadrifolia L. Bodkin Hazel Wood, near Horton, G., LF.G., who also reports Primula veris L. x vulgaris Huds. and abundant Colchicum autumnale L. from this wood. Juncus subnodulosus Schrank. Kenn Moor, S., [.F.G.; also abundant in this locality is Typha latifolia L. Luzula muliziflora (Retz.) Lejeune. A flourishing colony at the edge of Fishpond Wood, Abbots Leigh, S., 7.2.7.8. The plant is the form with flower clusters subsessile, var. congesta (DC.) Lejeune. Spiranthes spiralis (L.) Chevall. Windmill Hill, Churchill, S., P.7.M.N. Also reported from lawns, Abbots Leigh, S., 7.£.7.B., Leigh Woods, S., M.A.S., and Westbury-on-Trym, G., Miss T. Hamand. Neottia ndus-avis (L.) Rich. Wetmoor, near Wickwar, G., £.7.L. One plant, Cheddar Wood, S., P.7.M.N.; also a single plant on the grass verge, Sandy Lane, Abbots Leigh, S., 7.£.7.B. White (Flora, p.567) refers to the last locality. Herminum monorchis (L.) R. Br. Again reported from near Brown’s Folly, Bathford Hill, S., £.7.Z., in 1972. In Bristol Botany in 1971 it was commented that the only fairly recent record for the plant for the area was from the Combe Down side of Bath in 1938 and 1939, but its occurrence there in 1946 has now been reported (R. Scase, B.S.BI. News, 1972, Vol. 1, No. 2, p.32). Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) Rich. One plant only, Ashton Park, S., C.H.C.; two plants, Shute Shelve, near Axbridge, S., P.7.M/.N. Lemna polyrhiza L. In small quantity in pool, Ashton Park, S., C.H.C. L. trisulca L. Oatfield Pool, northwest of Potters Hill, S., 7.A. 229 A. J. WILLIS L. gibba L. Kenn Moor, S., I.F.G. Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Hork. ex Wimm. Wick St. Lawrence, §., Jeremy White (per Miss Jean Webb). Previously recorded for rhines west and northwest of Kingston Seymour (Bristol Botany in 1948). Scirpus maritimus L. Hill Pill, near the Severn, G., P.7.M.N. S. setaceus L. Damp meadow, Norton Hawkfield, S., 7.A. Eleocharis uniglumis (Link) Schult. Within a short distance of a clump of Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roem. & Schult., marsh, Windsor Hill, Shepton Mallet, S., /.F.G., det. Dr. S. M4. Walters. This inland locality gives a substantial extension to the known range of this uncommon plant in North Somerset, as the earlier reported sites (Tickenham, Nailsea Moor, Walton-in-Gordano Moor) are well north of the present station. Carex extensa Gooden. A large clump behind the sea-wall near Kingston Seymour, S., R.G.B.R. This sedge has been earlier reported (1933) from the shore of the Channel at Kingston Seymour (Bristol Botany in 1938). C. pallescens L. Damp field near Barrow Gurney Reservoir, S., 7.A., conf. R.G.B.R. Previously known for wood near Barrow Gurney 1916 (C. Sandwith in annotated copy of White’s Flora). C’. disticha Huds. Sandford Hill, S., /.F.G.; also a few plants, rhine, near Portbury Wharf, S., A.F.D. Glyceria declinata Bréb. Churchill, §., P.F.MON. Elymus arenarius L. Sand dunes, Berrow, S., 7.4. This is a valuable confirmation of the persistence of Lyme-grass at Berrow (recorded from the shore near Burnham in Bristol Botany in 1919). Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth. An extensive clump on ungrazed marsh common land, Stidcote Plat, Tytherington, G., G.H. Agrostis gigantea Roth. Biddlecombe, near Wells, S., .F.G. Alopecurus bulbosus Gouan. Several places in salt marshes between Hill Pill and Sheperdine, G., P.7.M.N. BRISTOL BOTANY 223 ALIENS. Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. By railway, Batts Bow Bridge, near Huntspill, S., 7.A. Erysimum cheiranthoides L. Waste ground, Northwick, near Chew Maena, S., 7.A. Sisymbrium orientale L. Hartcliff quarry, near Potters Hill, Lulsgate, S374. (conf. :R.G.B.R.). Althaea hirsuta L. Near Brown’s Folly, Bathford Hill, S., Mrs. P. Gaynor (per E. 7.L.). Although this rare and local plant has been previously reported from the Bath area, the present site represents an extension of its range. Geranium endresst Gay. One plant on dredged material on bank of rhine, some distance from houses, near Tickenham, S., A.F.D. Impatiens glandulifera Royle. With Solidago canadensis L. and Crocosmia x crocosmiflora (Lemoine) N.E.Br. between Clarken Coombe and Long Ashton Golf Course, S., C.H.C. Meltlotus indica (L.) All. Several plants on waste ground, Wick Road, Bristol, S., A.F.D. Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke. Edge of wood, Providence, Long Ashton, S., C.H.C., conf. A. 7. Willis. Cotoneaster stmonsii Bak. One bush on scree, Biddlecombe, near Wells, S., LF.G. Bupleurum lancifolium Hornem. One plant, in garden at Long Ashton, S., Miss B. A. Rake (per T.E.T.B.). This occurrence and the one reported last year from Abbots Leigh (Bristol Botany in 1971) were associated with the use of imported bird seed, for a ‘bird- table’. . Polygonum sachalinense F. Schmidt. Several plants, with Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. & Zucc., Wick Road, Bristol, §., A.F.D. Pentaglottis sempervirens (L.) Tausch. Golf Course, Failand, S., C.H.C.; also by track, Sheepway, S., and Wick Road, Bristol, B., AFD. Verbascum blattaria L. Waste-tip, Portbury Wharf, S., M.A.S. 224 A. J. WILLIS Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) Blake. St. Michael’s Church, Bath, S., £.7.L.; previously reported (Bristol Botany in 1951) as spreading in Bath. Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth. In two sites in Ashton Park, S., C.H.C.; also in this area were Oenothera erythrosepala Borbas and Hieracium brunneocroceum Pugsl. BRYOPAYTES. Marchantia polymorpha L. Waste ground, Highbridge Station,/.Si;) 7.4: Polytrichum nanum Hedw. On mole hill above Cheddar Gorge, S., J.A. This is the second station for v.c.6, although in the same 10 km. grid square as the first record. Bryum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) Schwaegr. var. bimum (Brid.) Lilj. Wet wall near Chew Stoke, S., 7.A. I am indebted to all those who have supplied records and helped with these, especially Mrs. J. Appleyard, Miss I. F. Gravestock, Mrs. S. C. Holland, Mr. P. J. M. Nethercott and Captain R. G. B. Roe; I am also grateful to S. R. Forsey of Long Ashton Research Station for the supply of meteorological data. 225 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT, 1972 COMPILED BY THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE OF THE B.N.S. ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION P. J. GHADWICK G. E. CLOTHIER H. H. Davis H. R. HAMMAcoTT G. SWEET S. M. TAayLor The Year. The above-average temperatures of late 1971 continued until the end of March. January was mild and wet, with 8.W. gales and heavy rain around the roth and 26th. A slightly-oiled Little Auk, blown inland and found at Hanham on the latter date, was one of several ‘wrecked’ in 8.W. England. It died next day at Bristol Zoo. The only real break in the mild weather came when a spell of freezing N.E. winds from the 28th—31st brought some snow (heavy in the north) and night frosts. The year’s only notable cold- weather movements were at this time, and Lapwings moved 8.W. in thousands. A juvenile Collared Dove seen at Sea Mills on the 29th (jFR) had some tail feathers only just out of their quill tubes— presumably one of a very late brood produced in the mild winter. February too was mild, dull and unsettled, with rain on most days. There were strong S.W. winds in mid-month, when an Arctic Skua was seen over Weston Bay, and easterlies from the 22nd-—26th. ‘The White-fronted Geese and Bewick’s Swans wintering at the New Grounds were fewer than usual, and both included low proportions of juveniles, suggesting a poor 1971 breeding season. Many birds of both species left the Estuary early, doubtless a result of the mild winter. The first week of March was very wet, with some sleet. From the eighth an anticyclone over Scandinavia intensified, causing strong E. winds and night frosts. A dry, warm, sunny spell started on the 14th, with a maximum temperature in N. Somerset of 18:5°C.— a level not to be surpassed until July. The generally warm end to winter and start to spring brought some early nesting activity, and early migrants in small numbers. A Wheatear at Sand Point on March 8, a week earlier than usual, was the first reported to British Birds. A Whimbrel at Frampton Pools on the 18th was a month early; one was seen the same day on Lundy. An exceptionally early Turtle Dove seen at the New Grounds on April 1, and found dead on the 4th, was in active wing moult—a process this species normally completes in its winter quarters; so it may have escaped from an aviary rather than being a genuine ‘early bird’ (MAo). 226 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT March was the warmest for eleven years and the sunniest for five, and by its end the season was well advanced. The next three months were most unfavourable, however, and summer was very delayed. The weather was unsettled from March 26 to mid-April; S.W. winds sometimes reached gale force, and many Kittiwakes were seen in the estuary. A large anticyclone west of the country gave mainly cold N. or N.E. winds for the second half of the month, which was the wettest April since 1966, with 50% more rainfall than normal recorded at Long Ashton. A shallow depression on the 19th— 30th was accompanied by the arrival of belated summer migrants in large numbers. A wintering Smew lingered at Blagdon reservoir until the 21st—a very late date. The cool, changeable weather continued in May. It was mainly dry until the 17th, with N. or N.E. winds and cool nights. The final ten days were unsettled; strong S.W. winds, reaching gale force, again swept sea-birds into the estuary, and sightings—mainly off Brean Down and Sand Point—involved Fulmars, Manx Shear- waters in some numbers, Storm Petrels, Skuas, Razorbills and Guillemots. A small ‘wreck’ of Gannets included birds as far up the estuary as the New Grounds. Several Little Egrets were seen in S. England during the month, and an egret seen over the estuary was probably of this species, as there were few reports of other southern species of heron anywhere in the country. The dismal weather continued in June, dull, changeable and cool —the average temperature was 3°C. lower than normal. During the first fortnight, heavy rain accompanied fresh or strong $.W. winds, and numbers of sea-birds were again in evidence, including over a thousand Manx Shearwaters off Brean Down. The weather did not improve until July 12, when an anticyclone developed over the country, bringing a warmer, drier period. A major irruption of Crossbills occurred in June, with the main numbers in the north of the country soon after the roth. By July, sizeable flocks were being reported in §.W. England, including over 150 in Mendip conifer woods. Parties were seen here and there in the district up to the end of the year. The first week of August was rainy, but from mid-month into October Britain had fine, dry though relatively cool weather, with light or moderate winds, interrupted only by short spells of strong westerlies with heavy rain, around September 8 and again a month later. During the month from mid-August, numbers of Wrynecks were recorded in Britain, including some two dozen in the S.W. Among these were two in Glos., north of our area, on August 26 and 28th, and one near Bath for several days in early September. Over the same period, there were more sightings of Aquatic BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 227 Warblers than ever before, including a local one of a bird trapped and ringed at Chew Valley Ringing Station. This was the sixth record of the species in our area, and the seventh individual bird. (The record at Sand Bay in September 1971, involving two birds, was the fifth occurrence and not the sixth as stated in the 1971 Report, although it involved the fifth and the sixth birds.) Although the wind in September was mainly from the east, few rare Old World vagrants were seen in Britain, but one of the few—a Tem- minck’s Stint—spent a week at Chew. There were no local reports of transatlantic visitors, which were also scarce nationally. The saga of the Danish White Storks can now be concluded (see Proceedings, 1972, p.107). The bird that was taken to the Tropical Bird Gardens, Rode, after falling down a chimney at Downside School, left early in September after a year’s stay. Sightings in the next weeks in Wiltshire and at Keynsham and Bridgwater could well have involved this bird. It seems to have resumed the extra- ordinary $.W. migration that had brought the brood to this country, for eventually came a report of its accidental electrocution at Launceston, Cornwall on the 26th (British Birds, Feb. 1973, p. 85). October was dry after the 11th, with rather cold N.E. winds. The wind was variable from the 22nd, and from the 26th a mild air- stream from the S. to S.W. covered the country. Although this brought some rain, the total recorded at Long Ashton from July to October was only 120 mm—under 35°% of normal—and reservoir water levels were very low. Mud exposed at Cheddar formed an attractive feeding ground for numbers of Snipe and Dunlin. Early in October, Bearded Tits irrupted from the Continent in un- precedented numbers. The first Somerset reports came from Steart and Berrow on the 8th; in the Bristol area the first record was on the 15th, and thereafter small numbers were seen until December. November started stormy and wet; most of the month was cold with easterly winds. A little snow fell on the 8th, and lay on high ground for a few days. Two very late Common Redstarts were seen at St. George’s Wharf on the 12th, and four late Curlew Sandpipers at Sand Bay on the 23rd. Heavy rain from the 27th to mid-December caused some flooding, but December as a whole was relatively mild, although sunshine hours recorded were less than half normal. A passage of Grey Phalaropes from Oct. 20 had produced some sixty records throughout the country by the end of November. When the Section visited Chew Valley reservoir on December 12, one was there to greet the party, and gave good short-range views, both in the water and on shore. Long-tailed Ducks at both Barrow Gurney and Chew Valley resrs., and three separate records of Velvet Scoters —our first since 1964—rounded off the year. 228 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Great Crested Grebes. From June to October, at least twelve dead adult birds were found at Chew Valley, and at least one more at Blagdon reservoir. Two of the former were entangled in fishing line, but the others showed no obvious cause of death. No broods of young were seen at either place; a complete failure to breed has only happened once before at Chew—in 1965, when a very low water level precluded nesting. Autumn counts in 1972 were very low compared with those in recent years. The highest figure at Chew was 205 September, substantially fewer than the peak count of 483 there in September 1971. Until 1972, the autumn peak had exceeded 300 every year since 1967. The failure to breed and the decline in numbers remain unexplained and give grounds for grave anxiety. Common Birds. Collared Doves continue to increase and spread; records suggest new colonization at Alveston, Thornbury and Congresbury in 1972. Goldcrests have become more and more numerous in recent years—part of a national trend, no doubt due to a succession of mild winters; the B.T.O.’s Common Bird Census Index for the species suggests a six- or seven-fold increase from 1964 to 1971. The local Whitethroat picture is confused; in some places numbers seem to have regained their level before the 1969 crash, but in others the species is still almost absent. We commented in 1969 on an apparent decline in Chafhinch numbers in recent years; this seems now to have been reversed. Less Common Birds. Besides those mentioned earlier, the following are noteworthy: another Lesser White-fronted Goose; our eleventh White-winged Black Tern; the male Ring-necked Duck summering at Blagdon—according to British Birds, the first European record of the species summering; and the continuing presence off Weston of the party of Eiders that appeared there in November 1971. Correction and Additions. In 1971 we described the nesting of a pair of Red-crested Pochard at Frampton Pools as the first breeding record for Glos.; MAo informs us that the species has bred there since the mid-1960’s. We go to great lengths to exchange all records with our neighbours in Glos., and Somerset, but some information still fails to reach us. For example, the Somerset Bird Reports for 1970 and 1971 contain two Firecrest records additional to those we published in those years: single birds at Chew Valley resr., December 20, 1970 and December 5, 1971. Changes in habits and habitats. A Starling roost has built up on the section of Clevedon Pier isolated from land when part of the struc- ture collapsed in 1970. Breeding of Kestrels in the City of Bristol — Pram | Photos by Harry Savory — (above) Nightjar on nest, Abbots Leigh, July roth 1930; (below) Lapwing on nest, Ashton Park, May 2, 1931. See page 229 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 229 appears to be increasing; pairs bred in two new sites—-the University Tower and a bonded warehouse—in 1972, and birds are not in- frequently reported hunting over built-up areas. Gulls were recorded breeding on buildings in the city for the first time, both Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls being involved. The commercial extraction of gravel at Frampton Pools ceased in November. Construction of Bristol’s West Dock at St. George’s Wharf continued. Some species formerly regular there are now seen only further west at Portbury Wharf, but a considerable range of birdlife remains, and shooting, either by wildfowlers or by “‘marsh cowboys’’, has been stopped. The countryside is settling down along the route of the M5 motorway with the completion of the major works in the area. Improvements to drainage rhynes, made to handle the rainwater run-off from the motorway, must have a growing effect on the whole drainage pattern of the northern moors. A network of field drainage, using buried perforated plastic piping, was installed in the autumn on a considerable area of Nailsea Moor, with the object of making cultivation possible. ‘This involved the removal of a good deal of the remaining hedgerow-type cover on the moor. In Retrospect. Publication of the Plate opposite this page was financed from the fund set up in memory of the late Harry Savory. Fittingly, it reproduces two of the collection of his lantern slides given to the Society by Mrs. Savory, and reminds us that he was a master of the art of bird photography. The hen Nightjar brooding in Old Park, Abbots Leigh, on July 10, 1930, is of especial interest in view of the record on page 247. The female Lapwing, nesting in Ashton Park on May 2, 1931, isa sight unlikely to be seen again so close to the City. A fifty-year-old record by B. W. Tucker emphasises the current scarcity of Barn Owls. On April 27, 1922, he recorded seeing five different birds from the train between Yatton and Nailsea. The late Dr. D. Munro Smith’s diary for May 1914 recorded Lesser Redpolls’ nests in Leigh Woods and on Durdham Down. The species has not bred in our area for many years, but it may return soon as it appears to be breeding increasingly in S. Wales. Contributors: —L. P. Alder, R. Angles, R. Arbery (RAr), A. J. Astridge, C. R. Bagshaw, B. H. Bailey, D. K. Ballance, J. Barber, Bath Natural History Society (BATH), G. M. Bathe, K. T. Batty, T. D. Beale, Mrs. M. M. P. Benstead, W. G. Bigger, A. E. Billett, R. K. Bircher, R. L. Bland, T. Bomford, G. L. Boyle, Col. G. A. Bridge, Miss M. E. Bridge, D. Buffery, J. F. Burton, Mrs. I. R. Campbell, D. M., P. J. & R. N. Chadwick, W. B. Charlesworth, Chew Valley Ringing Station (C), G. E. Clothier, N. J. Collar, R. M. Curber, A. H. Davis, C. C. Davis, H. H. Davis, P. J. Duddridge, Dursley Bird-watching and Preservation Society (D), S. B. Edwards, T. D. Evans, P. Farmer, G. A. Forrest, K. L. Fox, K. A. Franey, Miss C. & Miss V. Graham, C. Green, J. W. Hale, H. R. Hammacott, 230 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT M. J. Hannagan, R. S. Harkness, Miss M. Harris, S. P. Harris, Mrs. M. P. Hill- Cottingham, H. G. & Mrs. I. M. Hockey, Mrs. S. C. Holland, S. R. Howe, Mrs. J. H. & N. P. Humphris, J. R. Hunter, E. E. Jackson, C. Jones, R. C. Jones, H. & Mrs. N. D. Kay, B. L. Kington, Mrs. M. Kirby, N.T. Lacy, H. R.H. Lance, M. C. Langdon, P. G. Lansdowne, Miss R. C. Lee, Miss E. J. Lenton, M. Litjens, J. A. McGeoch, B. J. Madders, D. V. Mardle, A. Merritt, T. A. N. Nash, Mrs. F. & H. W. Neal, T. Nichols, M. A. Ogilvie, B. A. Owen, A. M. M. Parker, C. A. Partridge, D. G. Poole, J. G. & Mrs. S. E. Prince, B. Rabbitts, Miss B. A. Rake, N. Riddiford, W. L. Roseveare, J. F. Rowe, J. D. Sanders, M. W. Seaford, Severn Vale Ringing Group (SVRG), J. R. Sheppard, T. B. Silcccks, C. E. D. Smith, K. T. Standring, J. D. Stone, G. Sweet, J. P., Mrs. M. V. & S. M. Taylor, R. G. Thomas, R. B. Tunstall, W. Upton, J. D. R. Vernon, K. E. Vinicombe, G. Walker, Mrs. M. Walters, D. Warden, Wildfowl Trust (WT), M. G. Wilson, Miss L. J. Wreford, M. A. Wright, G. Youdale, Dr. A. P. Radford, Steep Holm Gull Research Station. The initials G. and S. denote the parts of the district in South Glos. and North Somerset respectively defined as: that part of Glos. lying east of the Severn and bounded on the north by the R. Frome from its mouth at Arlingham Bend inland as far as Dudbridge, then by its tributary south to Avening, and then by the A434 road through Tetbury to the Wilts. border; and that part of Somerset bounded on the South by the R. Axe from its mouth to Wookey, and by the B3139, A371, A361 and B3098 roads through Wells, Shepton Mallet and Frome to the Wiltshire border; Brean Down, Steep Holm and The Denny are deemed to lie within the area. From its mouth inland as far as Swineford, the centre-line of the R. Avon is taken as a conventional boundary between G. and S.; otherwise the political boundary applies. DIvER _ species S. One off Brean Down, Apr. 2 (BR)—species not determined. GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus See page 228. G. Frampton Pools: max. of 25 (Mar. 31); five or six pairs reared sIx young (TDE, SVRG). One juv., Tortworth Lake, Sept. 3 (jx). S. No records of successful breeding at Blagdon or Chew Valley resrs., and pair at Emborough had both clutches taken. Pre- and post-breeding season counts at resrs. far below recent years, maxima being 24, Barrow Gurney, Nov. 5; 46, Blagdon, Apr. 13; 61, Cheddar, Jan. 23; and 205, Chew Valley, Sept. 29 (RMC, RNC, SBE, AM é al.). RED-NECKED GREBE_ Podiceps griseigena S. One, Chew Valley res., Mar. 28 (KEV). SLAVONIAN GREBE_ Podiceps auritus S. Bird first reported, Chew Valley res., Dec. 11, 1971, remained until Feb. 14 (GLB, Am et al.). Another, Barrow Gurney resrs., Mar. 24, 25 (AHD). BLACK-NECKED GREBE_ Podiceps nigricollis S. Single birds, Chew Valley res., Mar. 29, Apr. 9 and Nov. 12 (c et al.). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 231 FuLMAR Fulmarus glacialis S. Many more records than hitherto; birds reported off coast, Brean Down to Portishead, every month from May to Dec. (39 days). Usually single birds, but up to six off Brean Down and four off Sand Point (RA, TB, BR et al.). ‘Two off Steep Holm, June 17 (BLK). STORM PETREL /Hydrobates pelagicus S. Two off Brean Down, May 27—one taken by Herring Gull (Ra) —and five off Sand Point on goth (TB). MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus See page 226. S. Reported in Channel every month April to Sept. (18 days); mostly fewer than 20 birds, but considerable movements at times: | May June July 26 27 30 31 19 28 2 6 Brean Down 92 415 38 1,015 466 Sand Point 6 33 16 100 II GaANNET Sula bassana Reported on 34 days, Mar.—Sept. and Nov.—Dec.; mainly single birds, but larger ‘wrecks’ occurred end-May and mid-Aug. to early Sept.: single birds, New Grounds, May 26, 30th and Chittening on 31st; two, Frampton Pools, May 26—June 2 (BHB, JDs, et al.); totals for Sand Point and Brean Down: one, May 26; 26 on 27th, three on 2gth, five on goth, three on 31st; 13, Aug. 15, 17 on 24th, 10 on 28th and eight, Sept. 3 (RA, BR et al). CormorANT Phalacrocorax carbo Up to 47 roosted in trees, Denny I., Chew Valley res., Jan.—Feb., and up to 40, Nov.—Dec.; some also roosted on Steep Holm (no report on size of breeding colony) as birds seen flighting up R. Axe to Cheddar res., where up to 27 reported in Jan. (RA, smT et al.). Other inland and coastal records, usually of one or two birds (jFB st al.), but five, Frampton Pools, May 7 (jps) and ten, New Grounds, Oct. 24 (LPA). SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis S. Two off Brean Down, Feb. 16 (BR) and single birds, Sand Point, May 27, Dec. 14 (TB) and Clevedon, Dec. 9 (jr). HERON Ardea cinerea S. Breeding records—2o nests, Newton St. Loe; 8 nests, Uphill; and one, Weston Moor, nr. Clevedon (RA, JFB, KTB, RMC) but main heronry at Cleeve not counted. Feeding birds widely reported from resrs., coast and moors and over City of Bristol. 232 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT EGRET species See page 226. S. One in flight off Brean Down, May 17 (BR). BITTERN Botaurus stellaris S. Single birds, Chew Valley res., Jan._March (two, Feb. 14) and Nov. 5 to end of year (rcT et al.). WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia See page 227. S. One circling over Keynsham with Herring Gulls, gained height and flew off South, Sept. 24 (ms). TEAL Anas crecca Autumn influx late August, with peak for year by end of Sept., when some 1,400 present in N. Somerset (1200, mid-Oct.). GARGANEY Anas querquedula G. New Grounds: five (4 gd), Mar. 14 and seven (5 gg) on 2ist (LPA); three (2 3g), Apr. 1 and 4th (TDE); and pair, May 29-31 (jps et al.). Four ‘probables’, Frampton Pools, Apr. 4 (svrc). S. Female, Chew Valley res., May 7 and pair, May 29—June 10 (Dw et al.). One or two, all resrs., autumn, but up to nine, Blagdon, Aug. 27 (pjc é al.). GADWALL_ Anas strepera G. Frampton Pools: up to 40 by late Jan. but fewer than 20 by end Feb. and max. of 6 or 7, Apr.-May; increase, late Sept., to peak of 60, Oct. 14 (TDE, SVRG, JDS). S. Max. numbers occurred in autumn: 22, Blagdon res., Sept. 2; 68, Cheddar res., Oct. 15; and 158, Chew Valley, Nov. 5 (when only 16 at Cheddar) and 171 on 6th. 21 broods, Chew Valley. WicEon Anas penelope G. Max. counts of 700-750, W.T., Jan. 18-22 (LPA, TDE); pair remained to May 30; another pair, Frampton Pools until June 1. S. Counts incomplete, but peak seems to have occurred mid-Jan. to mid-Feb. Pair still present, Chew Valley res., May 21 and male spent summer there. Fewer than 500 in area, mid-Dec. and only 600 by end of year (wGB, RNG, AM éf al.). PINTAIL Anas acuta G. Up to 280, W.T. enclosures, Jan.-Feb.; 14, Aug. 28 and then up to 50 in Dec. (Mao). Frampton Pools: 45-50, Jan. 1-26 and 66 on goth; 28, Mar. 16 and max. of 12 in autumn (LPA, BHB, TDE). S. Very few noted on coast and moors, Jan. —Apr.(jrB é¢ al.). Max. resr. count—25, Cheddar, Jan. 13. Rather more in autumn (first birds—two, Chew Valley res., Aug. 27) with up to ten, Blagdon; 33, Cheddar; and 17, Chew (RMG, AHD, RGT ¢t al.). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 233 SHOVELLER Anas clypeata G. W.T. enclosures: max. of 220, Jan._Feb., and up to 150 in Dec. (MAO). 40, Frampton Pools, Jan. 30 (svrG); pair, May—June (yps) and up to 16 in October (TDE). S. Chew Valley res.: max. c. 600, Jan. then approx. 100-120, Feb.—Mar.; four broods, July-August. Marked fluctuations in autumn due to birds moving between resrs., and passage movements: peak of c. 350-375, Sept.—Oct. with highest individual res. counts of 345 (one flock), Chew Valley, Sept. 1; c. 190, Blagdon, mid-Sept.; 116, Cheddar, Nov. 12; and 36, Orchardleigh, Dec. 24. RED-CRESTED PocHARD Netta rufina See page 2208. G. Two nests, Frampton Pools, where species has bred since mid 1960’s (MAO). S. Female, Chew Valley res., Apr. 23-May 19 (pyc, Am et al.). Male, Cheddar res., Dec. 2—19 (RMG, SBE) and pair on 31st (AM). Scaup Aythya marila G. One, Frampton Pools, Jan. 19; pair, Feb. 15—-Apr. 1; two, Dec. 3 (LPA, jos et al.). Male, Littleton Pits, Apr. 2 (jpRv). S. Regularly reported, Cheddar res.: one male, Jan.—Mar. 17; a male in Oct.; six, Oct. 27 (BR) to mid-Nov. and nine, Dec. 3 (Pjc, HWN). Single birds, Barrow Gurney resrs., Feb. 16 (2), Sept. 16 ($), Nov. 11-21 (@) (aup e al.). One male, Blagdon res., Feb. 13, Dec. 3 (sBE et al.). Four (one male), Chew Valley res., Apr. 8 (RMc) and two males on 23rd (sBE). TurreD Duck Aythya fuligula G. Frampton Pools: up to 400 by mid-Jan.; 270-280, Feb. to March; decrease to 150, Mar.—April and 50-55, May-—June; increase to 100 by end Oct., and 270 by mid-Dec. (TDE, svRc, ps). S. Peak total in mid-Feb., when some 1,050 present. Breeding records from Barrow Gurney, Blagdon and Chew Valley resrs. (50 broods at latter) and R. Avon, St. Anne’s. About 475 in area, mid-November to mid-December (RMC, RNC, AHD, HGH ¢t al.). RING-NECKED Duck Aythya collaris See page 228. S. Single male present throughout summer. First noted, Blagdon res., Mar. 26 (spe) then at intervals at Blagdon and Cheddar to Dec. 17 (Pjc, RMC, HWN, BR, Gs et al.). PocHarD Aythya ferina G. Frampton Pools: peak counts of 300, Jan. 1 (TDE) and 320, Mar. 5 (jpDs). S. In contrast to Frampton, dispersal was fairly early, numbers 234 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT falling from c. 850, mid-Jan., to c. 400 by mid-Feb. Some seven broods, Chew Valley res. Autumn influx from mid-August, with area total 1200, late Nov., falling to c. 950 by mid-December. GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Observers’ counts differ substantially, but total seems to have been 55 to 65, Jan._March. First autumn arrivals were two, Chew Valley res., Sept. 22, then very few seen until early Dec., when about 20 in area, with 30-35, mid-month. LoNnG-TAILED Duck Clangula hyemalts S. Two immature birds, Chew Valley res., Dec. 10-12 (many observers); two, Barrow Gurney resrs., Dec. 16-22 and one to end of year (RMC, AM et al.). VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca See page 227. S. Male, Cheddar res., Dec. 5 and two immature birds on 22nd (BR). Party of four in flight off Sand Point, Dec. 27 (wes). Common ScoTerR Melanitta nigra G. Female, Frampton Pools, Aug. 13-20 (TDE, JDs). S. Sand Bay: two, Jan. 18, Mar. 18, Sept. 10: three, June 23, July 23 (RA, TB). Weston Bay: max., 36, Feb. 9 (BR), c. 20 on 29th, up to 7, Mar.—Apr. one, May to July 1; and seven, Nov. 7 and 14th. Four off Steep Holm, June 17 (BLK). Male, Clevedon, July 15 (jrs). Inland records: three males, Blagdon res., May 7; female, Chew Valley res., May 7; seven males there, July 7 and one male, Aug. 8. Ewer Somaiteria mollissima S. Reported from Sand Bay and Weston Bay, every month. Flock of 20 off Sand Point dispersed, mid-May, eleven moving to summer off Brean Down with one there since Feb.: one stayed in Sand Bay. Possible increase in October as 13 off Brean Down on 15th and 8 off Sand Point on 24th, but totals down to 12 and one respectively by November (though four, Sand Bay, on 23rd). Max. of eleven in area in December. NortH AMERICAN Ruppy Duck Oxyura jamatcensis Up to 40-45 in area, Jan.—Feb., and up to 50 in December. Again bred at Chew Valley reservoir (two broods totalling 8). RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator G. One on estuary, New Grounds, Oct. 17-30 (LPA) S. Male, Chew Valley res., Jan. 6 (BLK) and single females, Jan. 9 and Nov. 23—Dec. 2 (RMC, AM). GOOSANDER Mergus merganser G. One, Frampton Pools, Jan. to Feb. 26 (svrc, jos ¢¢ al.). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 235 S. Two, Cheddar res., Jan. 1;oneon2nd,and Mar.—Apr. 8 (sBEetal.). Party of eight, Blagdon, Jan. 16, and two, Barrow Gurney resrs., Dec. 3 (ccp ef al.). Chew Valley res.: (monthly maxima)—Jan. (19); Feb. (24); March (13); April (2); Nov. (pair); Dec. (7). Pair off Brean Down, Mar. 4, and off mouth of R. Avon, Nov. 19 (wcBetal.). SMEW Mergus albellus S. Pair, Chew Valley res., Jan.—early Feb. (ccp, rer e al), but four (one 3), Jan. 15 (RMC); two (992), Feb. 12 and 17th, moved to Blagdon, Mar. 4, where one seen to 25th (sBE et al.); one (2), Apr. O-21 (JB). SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Coastal survey, breeding season: totals imprecise because of incomplete cover and prolonged breeding season (broods reaching coast, May 28—mid July). Best estimates for (a) New Grounds to R. Avon and (b) R. Avon to Birnbeck I. as follows. May population: (a) 190-200; (b) 240-260. Total pulli reaching coast: (a) 60; (b) 80-90. Former are similar to 1970 and 1971 figures, but latter indicate a poor breeding season. Pair hatched nine pulli, Chew Valley res., but all vanished within a week. WHITE-FRONTED Goose Anser albifrons G. Total of 1,800, New Grounds, close of 1971, rose to 2,100 by Jan. 6; 2,800 by a2ist and 3,350, Feb. 9th—followed by decline to 2,500, Feb. 28 and 1,100, Mar. 2, with number remaining at 535 from 6th—14th; last seen (single bird) on 15th. Only 8-5°% young, with max. brood size 2, indicating one of the poorest breeding seasons yet recorded. Autumn arrivals: 20, Oct. 2, then immediate rise to 140 on 5th; 282, Nov. 21; and sharp increase to 738 by 26th, 1,150 on Dec. 14 and 2,000 (40% young) at close of year (wrt). S. Coastal records of one, St. George’s Wharf, March 5 (was); two, Sand Sand Bay, Oct. 19, and seven, same area, Dec. 20 (RA). LEssER WHITE-FRONTED Goose Anser erythropus G. One adult with albifrons, New Grounds, Jan. 22—-Feb. 19 (LP, MAO et al.). BEAN GoosE Anser fabalis G. One, A. f. fabalis, first seen Oct. 1971, New Grounds, present to Feb. 16, and another, Feb. 14-16 (wr); RMc records two, Jan. 29. First-winter bird of Russian race, A. f. rossicus, same place, Nov. 30 to Dec. 31 (wr). PINK-FOOTED GoosE Anser brachyrhynchus G. New Grounds: up to 14, Jan. 1 to 22nd, with one still there, Feb. 14 (wT); ten flying N.W.-S.E., Sept. 12 (LPA) and one on saltings, Dec. 1-31 (AM, wT). D 236 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT DARK-BREASTED BRENT GoosE Branta b. bernicla G. One, first seen early Dec. 1971, New Grounds, present to Mar. 2, and one, Dec. 14-31 (wrt). S. Coastal record of four, Clevedon, Jan. 10 (cap). CANADA Goose Branta canadensis G. Frampton Pools: 14 nests, Apr. 27, when some control of breeding pairs again undertaken (Mao); 51 ads. and 16 juvs., June I (TDE). S. Three seen frequently, Chew Valley res., Jan.-Apr., and two, many dates, Apr.—Dec.; no doubt same birds as reported, 1971. Mute Swan) Cygnus olor Breeding records received only for Blagdon and Chew Valley resrs., and Kenn Moor. WHOOPER SWAN) Cygnus cygnus G. ‘Two adults which arrived at the Wildfowl Trust on 29 Dec. 1971, remained there until Jan. 20. BEWICK’s Swan Cygnus bewrcki G. New Grounds: max. count of 311, Jan. 1; 164 on 12th but 297, Feb. 1; last bird left, Mar. 28; total of 528 different birds during winter, with 11% young; autumn arrivals from Oct. 15 (one bird), herd steadily increasing to 308 by year end; total of 393 individuals seen, with 21% young (wr). 34, Frampton Pools, Jan. 9 (SvRG); six flying up river, Aust, Jan. 30 (Pjc). S. Few winter records: first autumn arrivals—one, Blagdon res., Oct. 15 (same day as bird arrived wr), then small parties noted, Blagdon, Chew, Cheddar resrs.—largest herds being 22, Cheddar, Nov. 26; 23, Blagdon, Dec. 17; and 9 Chew Valley on 31st (GLB, cj, AM, JAMCG ef al.). BuzzaArp Buteo buteo G. Single birds, New Grounds, North Nibley, Wotton-u-Edge, Cromhall, and nr. Almondsbury, various dates, Feb._Nov. ‘Two pairs displaying, Little Solsbury Hill, Mar. 22 (rmc); pair near Kilcott, Mar. 28 (RLB) and two birds, Cromhall, Oct. 5 (jx). S. Bred successfully—two fledged young—at west Mendip locality; Holcombe—where one on keeper’s gibbet had been shot—and nr. Bath. Records of up to two in breeding season from other Mendip localities, nr. Blagdon res., Chew Valley res., nr. Wells, Congresbury, Portbury and Abbots Leigh. Autumn and winter records from Chewton Mendip, Chew Valley res., Congresbury, Gordano valley and Failand. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 237 SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus G. Recorded all months from Frampton, Cromhall, Acton Tur- ville and Bristol Suburbs. One breeding record received. S. Breeding season reports widely distributed over N. Somerset including outskirts of Bristol and Bath. Six records of successful breeding. One juv. found dead, Chew Stoke, Sept. 21, with no apparent injuries, sent for autopsy (Dw). Hen HarrigER Circus cyaneus S. ‘Ringtail’ came in from sea, Sand Point, Nov. 4 (cj). Hossy Falco subbuteo S. Present in four localities during summer. In one of these, two, possibly three, pairs, May-Sept., of which at least one probably bred; may have bred at another site where several reports, May, June and Sept. Single birds in two other former breeding localities. Single birds, Chew Valley res., several dates, May 6 —Sept.17 (many observers); Sand Bay, June 8 (TB); Portbury Wharf, June 14; Barrow res., June 30; Axe Estuary, July 8 (RA) and Wraxall, Sept. 16 (KLF). PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus G. New Grounds: one, Jan. 1-Apr. 14. and Oct. 1-end year (wT). One, Chittening Warth, Jan. 8 (jrr). S. Single birds, Brean Down, Jan. 13, several dates, Mar., Apr. 1 and until 16th, Aug. 5, Nov. 4, Dec. 4, 13, 15 (RA, CJ, BR); Sand Point, Mar. 9, Sept, 26, Oct. 26 (TB); Chew Valley res., Mar. 21 (TB); Stratton-on-the-Fosse, May 28 (mcL) and Stanton Drew, July 17 (RLB). Meruin- Falco columbarius Single birds, Chittening, Jan. 11, 20; Chew Valley res., Jan. 23, Oct./92 Nov. 11, Dec. 17; Sand‘Point, Sept. 13, Oct. 28; Dec. .17; Axe Estuary, Sept. 14; Brean Down, Sept. 28, Oct. 28; Lord’s Lot, Mendip, Nov. 14; Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Oct. 4-Dec. 13; Middle Hope, Oct. 31 and Yoxter, Mendip, Nov. 14 (many observers). KestreL Falco tinnunculus See page 228. Pairs recorded in breeding season from: G@.—Frampton Pools, Cromhall, Aust, Filton, Stoke Gifford and City of Bristol where two young fledged, University Tower; and §.—*Weston-s-Mare, Bleadon, Compton Bishop, Cheddar, *Westbury-sub-Mendip, *Emborough, *Holcombe, *Nettlebridge, Hinton Blewitt, *Farm- borough, *Blagdon, *Sand Point, Kenn Moor, Chelvey, Clevedon, *Gordano Valley, Nailsea Moor, Barrow Gurney, *Tyntesfield nr. Wraxall, Ashton Park, *Ashton, Portbury, Portbury Wharf, *St. 238 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT George’s Wharf, Combe Down and *Widcombe and Wolley nr. Bath. Breeding proved at localities preceded by *. 185 records, all year, from G. and 509 from S. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa G. Noted near Marshfield in breeding season. S. Breeding season records from Odd Down, Hunstrete, Sand Bay and St. George’s and Portbury Wharves. PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Breeding season reports from only five localities; probably an incomplete picture of status. QuaiL Coturnix coturnix G. Several heard, Marshfield/Tormarton area, June and July. S. Single birds heard, Tickenham, May 27 and Priddy Hill Farm, Mendip, July 29. WATER Ratt Rallus aquaticus G. Juveniles seen, Frampton Pools, August (svrc). S. Breeding season reports from Sand Bay and Chew Valley res., (RA, WGB). SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana S. One, Chew Valley res., Feb. 17 (RsH). Coot Fulica atra S. Partial albino seen, Cheddar res., Dec. 23 (RMCc). Monthly maximum count at reservoirs: (counts of young bracketed): Barrow Blagdon Cheddar Chew Valley Jan. 2,100 724. Feb. 230 1,148 Mar. 287 25 870 April 333 25 477 May 227 19 June 316(37) 506(55) July 1,047(111) 240(30) Aug. 120 1,165 600 508 Sept. 176 650 1,500 410 Oct. 450 2,000 232 Nov. 420 2,000 275 Dec. 50 250 2,000 520 OysTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus G. Records (20) from New Grounds, Frampton Pools, Severn Beach and Chittening, of up to three birds, Jan., May 12—June 20 and July 30-—Oct. 18. S. Coast: 55 records, all months, mainly from Sand Bay (max. 85, Oct. 31-TB) and Axe Estuary (max. 137, Feb. 12—RA); fewer at Clevedon and Portbury and St. George’s Wharves. Reservoirs: up to three, Blagdon, Cheddar and Chew Valley, July 19—Sept. 11; one, latter place, Nov. 5. ] BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 239 Lapwinc Vanellus vanellus Only notable cold-weather movement was Jan. 30-31, when large flocks seen moving S., incl. 2,000-+, Aust area (pyc). Breeding proved, Cromhall (G.) and Blagdon res., Sand Bay and Kenn, Nailsea and Weston Moors (S.). Largest flocks—New Grounds: 2,300, Jan.; 2,000—2,600, June 24—July 30; 1,400, Dec. (LPA, TDE); and Axe Estuary: up to 3,000 Jan., and 2,000 Aug. and Dec. (RA, SBE). RINGED PLovER Charadrius hiaticula 65 reports from G., 70 from S. (incl. 19 from resrs.). 48, Sheper- dine, Feb. 28 (LPA); two, Frampton Pools, Aug. 13 (BHB). Monthly peak counts in main areas: (A) New Grounds; (B) Severn Beach— Chittening; (C) St. George’s Wharf; (D) Clevedon—R. Yeo; (E) Sand Bay; (F) Weston Bay-R. Axe; (G) Reservoirs. (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) Jan. 8 80 35 35 Feb. 4 75 32 60 March 14 April 5 30 I 2 May 22 200 16 8 60 I June 30 4 3 July 7 40 16 10 Aug. 332 750 26 200 600 157 7 Sept. 86 400 200 250 82 14 Oct 10 250 2 50 8 Nov. 3 100 I 160 42 Dec. 100 32 70 LitTLe RiNGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius G. Single birds; Frampton Pools, Apr. 16; New Grounds, June 13; Chittening, July 15 and Aug. 10, 11. Four, New Grounds, July 23. S. Records of up to three, Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Apr. 23-25 and July 10—Sept. 16; one, Portbury Wharf, July 27—Aug. 2. Grey PLovEerR Pluvialis squatarola G. One, Chittening, Mar. 21, and two, New Grounds, May 7 and 2st. 27 records, Aug. 28—Dec. 24 of up to 17 birds, Frampton Pools, New Grounds, Oldbury, Littleton, Severn Beach and Chittening. S. Two, Sand Bay, Jan., Feb. (TB); 15 records, Sand Bay, Aug. 10- Dec. 24, of up to 50 birds. Reservoirs: single birds, Cheddar and Chew Valley, late Sept.; Blagdon, mid-Oct. and Chew Valley, Dec. 27. GOLDEN PLovER Pluvialis apricaria G. New Grounds: up to ten, Jan._Feb. 8; one or two, May 23- June 6; present Aug. 13—Dec., with max., 56, Dec. 12 (Lpa). Flocks 240 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT of 100 to S., Aust and 19, Latteridge, Jan. 30. Four, Chittening, Sept. 30. S. Recorded, coast and inland, Jan. 1-Mar. 4 and July 26—Dec.; max. counts, 50 to N.E., Whitchurch, Jan. 31; 350, Axe Estuary, Jan. and Sept. and 600, Nov. (RA); up to 75, Chew Valley res., spring and 90, autumn; up to 150, Kenn Moor, November. ‘TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres G. Chittening—Severn Beach: up to 100, Jan., rising to 200 by late April and 400, early May; then fewer than 15 until steady rise from early July to 250-300, Aug.—Dec., with up to 500, early Sept. Up to fourteen elsewhere on coast, Spring and Sept.—Oct. S. Up to five, coast, Jan._late May and July 2-Oct. 5 (but 15, Clevedon, May). Chew Valley res.; two, Apr. 30 and one or two, July 30-Sept. 9. Common SniPE_ Gallinago gallinago 108 reports (incl. 5 from G.), from coast, moors and reservoirs, Jan. 1-Apr. 2 and July 13—Dec. 31. Max. counts, Jan.—Mar.: 27, Chew Valley and 160, Cheddar res.; 40, St. George’s Wharf; 80, Clevedon coast; 140, Sand Bay; 60, Axe Estuary; 85, Nailsea and Tickenham Moors. Max. counts, Sept.—Dec.: 165, Chew Valley and 200, Cheddar res.; 200, Nailsea Moor and 50, Kenn Moor. Drum- ming heard regularly, Long Ashton Marsh and Weston Moor, April—August. Breeding proved, Hillsea Moor. (pjc). JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus G. Single birds, Aust, New Grounds and Frampton Pools, Jan. g-May 12; two, latter place, Oct. 19-Nov. 26 and one, Aust, Dec. 24. S. Up to five, nr. Wells and one or two, Chew Valley res., Jan.— Mar. Single birds, Sand Bay, Mar. 8 and Kewstoke, Apr. 15. One, St. George’s Wharf, Oct 22. One or two, Mendip, Nov., December. Woopcock Scolopax rusticola G. Single birds, Inglestone Common, Oct. 22 (APR) and Compton Greenfield, Dec. 3, 9 (NTL). S. Single birds, Chew Valley res., Feb. 20 (Dw); Sand Bay, Oct. 1 (TB); Stock Hill, Mendip, Nov. 2 (jamcc); Friary Wood, Bath, Nov. 13 (BATH); Avon Gorge, Dec. 2 (RLB). CurLEW WNumenius arquata No breeding records. 69, Littleton on Severn (where large num- bers not usual), Jan. 16 (jH). One to E. over Freezing Hill, Bath, Apr. 2 (EjL). One, Lansdown res., Bath, Oct. 29 (RMC). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 241 Monthly peak counts in main areas (for key to letters see Ringed Plover, page 239): (+denotes present but not counted). (A) (B) (Q) (D) (E) (F) Jan. 205 go + 38 140 200 Feb. 377 100 + 20 64 120 March 210 100 89 75 63 April go 14 2 3 40 May I June 8 July 380 230 40 r2 go Aug. 223 150 150 go 170 Sept. 184 150 44 10 150 Oct. 125 76 20 192 go Nov. 100 12 27 120 Dec. 141 5 150 115 WHIMBREL = WNumenius phaeopus Noted, Mar. 18—June 11 (24 reports, incl. 8 from G.) and July 1- Sept. 30 (40 reports, incl. 13 from G.). Mostly under ten birds, the only counts over 25 being from Brean Down (53, May 14 and 50 on 15th) and Yeo Estuary (28, Aug. 5 and 64, Sept. 30). BLACK-TAILED Gopwitr Limosa limosa Coast: 12 reports (6 from G.), Feb. 16-Apr. 11, of up to six birds; 120 to N.E., Sand Bay, Apr. 26 (TB); 39 reports (22 from G.), July 6-Nov. 7, mostly of up to 16, but up to 30, Sand Bay, late July, 74, Sand Point, Aug. 24 (TB) and 100-175, Axe Estuary, late Oct., early Nov. (RA, HRH). One or two, resrs., July 26-Sept. 24. BarR-TAILED Gopwit Limosa lapponica Reports (25, incl. 19 from G.), Jan._May 30 and 34 (half from G.), Aug. 6—Oct. 29, coast and resrs., mostly of up to eight birds; but more at Axe Estuary (up to 21, Jan., Feb. Sept., Oct.—Rra, HRHL) and at New Grounds (c. 100, April and 29, Aug. 8—LPA). GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Twenty-six records (11 in G.), Jan.—Apr. 30, and g7 (21 in G. and 42 from resrs.), June 30—Dec., coast, moors and resrs., mostly of one or two birds, but up to five, Portbury Wharf and six, Chew Valley res., July-September. Woop SANDPIPER Tringa glareola G. Single birds, New Grounds, May 20, July 20-Aug. 16 and Frampton Pools, Aug. 6—7 and Oct. 15 (LPA, BHB, TDE ef al.). S. Four, St. George’s Wharf, July 16 (wcs) and two, Aug. 8-10 (GAF, JFR). Single birds, Chew Valley res., July 30-Aug. 21 and Oct. 29 (wjH et al.); and Cheddar res., Sept. 1 (BR). | COMMON SANDPIPER Tringa hypoleucos Winter records of one or two, coast, resrs. and R. Avon (Sea Mills), Jan._Apr. 2 and Oct. 22—Dec. Coast, Frampton Pools and 242 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT resrs.: 27 reports of up to thirteen, Apr. 8-May 21, and 98 reports of up to 25, June 23—Oct. 7. Other inland records: single birds, R. Avon, Bath, Apr. 22 and Newton Park Lake on goth (RMc); Vassall’s Park, May 13 (BLK) and King’s Weston Marsh, Aug. 1 (RLB); six, R. Avon, St. Anne’s, May 2 (HGH). REDsHANK Tringa totanus Present all months. Breeding proved, New Grounds, St. George’s and Portbury Wharves and Clevedon coast. Peak counts: Jan.—March: 250, Chittening; 60, Clevedon coast and 400, Sand Bay. Autumn peaks: 80, New Grounds, Aug.—Oct.; 250-300, Chittening, July—Dec.; 300, St. George’s Wharf, Aug., Dec., and 250, Sept., Nov.; 150, Clevedon, July 15; 180, Woodspring Bay, Aug. 11; 200-220, Sand Bay, Nov.—Dec.; 350, Axe Estuary, Oct. 21. Up to eight, Chew Valley res., June 23—Aug. 10. 115 records (45 from 'G:;).. SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus G. New Grounds: single birds, May 2 and June 6-24; some 30 reports to Oct. 24, with max. 11, Aug. and 17, Sept., Oct. Chitten- ing: three, July 29 and one, Sept 15. S. Two, Portbury Wharf, July 15; single birds, there and Sand Bay, many dates, Aug. 1-Nov. 23. Up to three, Chew Valley res., Aug. 19g—-Sept. 26 and one, Cheddar res., Sept. 2—Nov. 5. GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Single birds, Chittening (NTL) and Clevedon (jrB), May 20. Autumn: 55 records, July g—Oct. 10 (coast) and 30, July 1-Nov. 11 (resrs.), mostly of up to three birds; but up to 12, New Grounds, late July-Aug., and up to seven, resrs., late Aug., early Sept.; three, Chew Valley res., Dec. 19 (CAP). Knot Calidris canutus Noted, coast, Jan._May 9 and July 23—Nov. 25. Fewer than in 1971; only counts of over 40 were from Chittening (where up to 50, jJan.—Apr. and early Aug.), Sand Bay (up to 750, Jan.—Feb. and then under 100) and Axe Estuary (up to 600, Jan.; 1,800, Feb.; 450, March, then under 100). PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima Some 25 records, Chittening—Severn Beach, Sand Bay and Brean Down, of one or two birds, Jan._May 13 and July q—Dec., with up to five, former area, Jan.—March. LittLe Stint Calidris minutus Up to three, New Grounds, Jan.—April 25 (Lpa, TDE); one, Chew Valley res., Jan.; three, Sand Bay, Feb 16 (TB). Reports (64), coast BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 243 and resrs., July 23—Dec., mostly of up to three birds, but up to nine, New Grounds, Aug., Sept. (LPA) and up to seven, Chew Valley res., September. TEMMINCK’s StinT Calidris temminckt See page 227. S. One, Chew Valley res., Sept. 12-19 (jRs e¢ al.). Dunun_ Calidris alpina Most numerous wader locally. 101 reports from G., and 144 from S. incl. 66 from resrs.; 260, Sheperdine, Feb. 28; 19, Kenn Moor, Mar. 12; 250, Aust, Sept. 23; 1,200, Oldbury, Dec. 24. Peak monthly counts in main areas: (for key to letters see Ringed Plover, page 239). (+ denotes present but not counted). (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) Jan. 700 3,000 19 2,000 4,000 3,000 22 Feb. 700 2,000 480 many 2,500 4,000 10 March 1,500 3,000 35 goo 1,500 I April 158 500 10 I May 340 500 8 60 3 June 59 40 15 19 July 700 1,300 35 3 I Aug 572 500 30 60 3 Sept. 196 1,000 50 100 80 over 30 Oct. 760 1,500 75 many 400 72 Nov. 1,300 3,000 450 2,000 700 =. 2,500 100 Dec. + 3,000 1,200 150 920 3,500 130 CuRLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Coast: 20 reports, Aug. 1-Oct. 8, mostly of one or two birds; but up to eleven, New Grounds, nine, Severn Beach and three, Sand Bay, early Sept.; four, latter place, Nov. 23 (TB). Reservoirs: up to four, Chew Valley, and two, Cheddar, Sept.; one, latter place, Oct. 29 (Pjc). SANDERLING Calidris alba G. Reports (28) from New Grounds and Chittening—Severn Beach. One, former, Jan. 2 (BAO). Up to 35, Apr. 30—June 4 (but 96 at former, May 21 and 71 on 23rd—-LPA); up to 23, July 23-Nov. 6 (but 80, Chittening, Aug. 7—NTL). S. One or two, Weston Bay, Jan., Feb., Dec., and up to nine, Sand Bay, Oct. 11-Dec. (but 38, Nov. 23 and 18, Dec. 28—rTs). Passage records: up to 21, coast, Apr. 16-May 28 and Aug. 1-Sept. 9; single birds, Chew Valley res., May 6, 7th and Sept. 23 and Cheddar res., May 30. Rurr Philomachus pugnax Reports (87, incl. 25 from G.), coast and resrs., Jan., Feb., May and July 15—Dec., mostly of up to four birds, but nine, New Grounds, Jan. 30 (LpaA) and up to eight, Chew Valley res., September— October. 244 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Grey PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius See page 227. S. One, Chew Valley res., Dec. 10-15 (many observers). SKUA species were noted on 18 dates covering every month from February to September. Besides those detailed below, five were not specifically identified—single birds off Brean Down, Apr. 24, May 30, 31, Sept. 10 and off Steep Holm, July 30. GREAT SkuA_ Stercorarius skua S. Single birds off Brean Down, Apr. 6, 9, May 26, 27, 31 and two, June 19 (RA, BR). Arctic SkuA Stercorarius parasiticus G. Dead bird, Severn Beach, May 28 (HGH). S. Single birds, Sand Bay, Feb. 15, May 27 (TB). Weston Bay: one, Mar. 27, May 14 and 22nd, Aug. 4; and two, Apr. 22, May 12 and on 27th (RA, RAY, JB, BR). GREAT BLACK-BACKED GuLL_ Larus marinus G. Max. count: 111 on estuary, New Grounds, Dec. 5 (LPA). LrEssER BLACK-BACKED GuLL_ Larus fuscus G. Pair bred on roof of building in centre of City of Bristol (FN). S. Up to 350 roosting, Chew Valley res., Jan., Feb. and 500 in March (pjc, KEV). HERRING GuLLt_ Larus argentatus G. Adult sitting on nest, Avonmouth Docks, May 30—-June 24— presumably unsuccessful (TBs); two pairs reared young on roof tops, City of Bristol (mmMpB, DEH, RS, GHW). Nest built on board H.M.S. Flying Fox, Cumberland Basin, was abandoned (RLB). S. Nested, Brean Down, but eggs taken (BR). Common GuLut_ Larus canus G. Several flocks totalling 600 birds, Leighterton-Tresham area, Mar. 31 (JDRV); flock of 814 on harrowed field, ‘Tetbury, same day (PJc). S. Up to 3,000 at roost, Chew Valley res., Jan., 5,000 in March and 1,500 in December (DMC, RNC, RGT, KEV ¢t al.). LitTLte GutL Larus minutus S. Recorded every month except June. Cheddar res.—one, Jan. 3- 13; up to five (2 ads.) March; four to mid-April and one imm. to 25th; imm., Aug. 12, 13th and adult on 24th; up to four (one ad.) early Sept., then single adults to end of Nov., joined by imms. on BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 245 Oct. 24 and Nov. 26. Blagdon res.—six imms., Sept. 5-16. Chew Valley res.—ad., May 7 and two imms. on 11th; oneimm., July 31- Aug. 12 and nine together on 28th; single birds, Aug. 30, Sept. 6 and 29th, Oct. 1-5 and on 31st, but two, Sept. 12. Immatures off Clevedon, Feb. 13 and Sand Bay, Sept. 14; and two first-summer birds off mouth of R. Avon, May 12-30. KitTiwakeE Rissa tridactyla Noted in every month except October, with considerable move- ments in Channel off Brean Down and north to New Grounds: Feb. March April 28 26 od) 28 ay 5 6 29 Brean Down 27 380 go 21 24 Sand Point 1,029 Aust 152 New Grounds 47 22 Also noted on fifteen days off Brean Down in May (max. of 25 on 12th and 24 on 22nd), with single birds also off Sand Point, Cleve- don, Portbury Wharf and at Frampton Pools. Most other records were also of single birds, except off Sand Point, where more seen, with max. of 14, Aug. 8 (RA, PJC, BLK, DEP, MGW é al.). Brack TERN Chiidonias niger Generally a poor year. Monthly totals given below. Peak autumn passage Aug. 12, when 120 reported (111, Chew Valley res.); also 28 on 13th and 21 on 28th. April May June July Aug. Sept. I 22 3 21 204 12 WHITE-WINGED BLack TERN Chiidonias leucopterus S. One immature, Cheddar res., Aug. 28 (sBE). Record, accepted by British Birds Rarities Committee, is eleventh for district. ComMon TERN Sterna hirundo Arctic TERN Sterna paradisaea Noted on passage, Mar. 31—June 30 and July 16-Sept. 26. Apparently very small numbers involved, as only six counts of over 20 birds, four of which from New Grounds: 49, Apr. 25; 89, May 3; 22, May 7 and 24 on 20th (LPA, RSH, DVM, WLR ¢ al.). LitTLte TERN Sterna albifrons Noted only in May-six, New Grounds, 23rd (LPA) and one on 29th (GwH) and goth (jps). SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis S. Total of 15 reported. One, Oldmixon, Bleadon Hill, Apr. 7 (Dw). Sand Bay: one, Apr. 29 and three, May 30 (TB). Weston Bay: 246 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT one, Apr. 30, May 6, 7th, 12th and Aug. 4; three, May 29 (RA, BR et al.). Single birds, Portbury Wharf, May 27 (TBs), Chew Valley res., July 30 (Pjc). AUKS were recorded much more often than usual. Besides the four species detailed below, the following were seen too far off Brean Down to be specifically identified: two, Mar. 27 and one on 28th; six, Apr. 5; one, Apr. 6, oth, 24th, and three on 30th; two, May 14 and 15th; nine on 17th; one on 18th; two, May 26; four on 3oth and three on 31st (BR). RAzorBILL Alca torda G. One, New Grounds, Apr. 2, 3 (LPA). S. Weston Bay: single birds on six days, Apr. 5-May 18; two, Apr. 2, 15 and June 11 (BR, BES); and parties of five, Apr. 22 (RA), May 7 (pyc). Sand Bay: one, Apr. 8 (sBE), May 28 and single dead birds found, Apr. 12, 14, May 27, 28 (RA, TB). One off Steep Holm, July 1 (BLK). LirtLe Auk Plautus alle G. One found alive, Hanham, Bristol, Jan. 26, taken to Bristol Zoo, but died on 27th. $:,|-Qne,;-Gheddar.res:;) Now, '12 (Gj, BR): GuILLEMoT Uria aalge S. One off Brean Down, Apr. 5; two, May 19 and one, July 7 (BR). One off Steep Holm, May 6 (KLF), PurFin Fratercula arctica S. Adult close inshore, Sand Point, Apr. 8 (sBE). BARN Ow Tyo alba S. Single birds, Wraxall, Jan. 23 (KLF); Chew Valley res., several dates, Feb., Mar. and Dec. 24 (pjc, RsH, BR et al.); ‘Mendip’, Feb. 26 (KAF); Woodspring Bay, Apr. 11, Nov. 25 (TB, BR); Congres- bury, June 21 (wos); Lower Failand, June 21 (wes); Tickenham, mid-Oct. (MpH-c) and Whitchurch, Dec. 16 (KEv). Freshly moulted feather found, nr. Wraxall, Apr. 25 (Pjc). LitTLE Ow. Athene noctua Reports from at least 29 localities (4 in G.) throughout the year—breeding proved in 5 of them. One juv., Chew Valley res., found feeding on corpse of another killed by traffic, July 19 (Dw). SHORT-EARED Ow. = Aszo flammeus G. One, New Grounds, Mar. 14 (LPA) BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 247 S. Single birds, Nailsea Moor, from Dec. 30, 1971 to Jan. 2 (HRH); Dolbury Warren, Oct. 1 (TANN); Brean Down, Oct. 22 (BR) and Sand Bay, Oct. 24, 25 and Dec. 9 (TB). One seen during summer. NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus See page 229. S. Pair nested, Abbots Leigh, but nest destroyed (ccre); first proof of breeding in Bristol district for twenty years. Swirt Apus apus G. Flocks up to 700, Frampton Pools, late May (BHB, TDE). S. First noted, Brean Down and Chew Valley res., Apr. 30; last seen, Leigh Woods, Sept. 21. Usual large flocks at reservoirs, with 4,500, Chew Valley, May 29; 5,000, June 21; 6,000, July 7; 7,500, on 10th; but only 400, Aug. 17; also 3,000, Blagdon, May 29, up to 500 in June and 750, Aug. 9 (AHD, KEV). LEssER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus minor Breeding season records from Vassall’s Park and Wickham Glen, Bristol (G.) and Chelvey, Chew Valley res., Chew Magna, Compton Bishop and Stratton-on-the-Fosse (S.). Wryneck Jynx torquilla See page 226. S. One in a garden, Combe Down, Bath, Sept. 4-7 (Ljw et al.). Woop.tarK Lullula arborea G. One, New Passage, Oct. 15 (NTL). S. Three, Middle Hope, July 19 (TB). One, Ashton Park, June 19 (Pjc). SAND Martin Riparia riparia Breeding records from: G.—St. Anne’s and Bedminster (Bristol) and §.—Keynsham and Bath. RAVEN Corvus corax Reports, all months, of up to four, from: G@.—New Grounds, Damery and Wotton-u-Edge; and S.—St. George’s Wharf, Nailsea Moor, Goblin Combe, Hewish, Sand Point, Worlebury, Wavering Down, Loxton, Bleadon, Steep Holm and Brean Down, where pair reared three young. Rook Corvus frugilegus G. A complete survey by the Ornithological Section of its area in S. Glos. (see page 230) showed 4,736 nests in 227 rookeries. The portion lying in the Severn Vale, studied since 1933, held 1,144 nests in 66 rookeries—a decrease of 15:1% since 1962. (Note—the nest total of 1,482 given in the 1962 Proceedings should read 1,372. The corrected figure represents a 9:2°% decrease since the 1956 survey.) In 1972, as in 1962, most of the decrease has been south of the line Aust-Tockington—yprRv, survey organiser. 248 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT WitLow Tir Parus montanus Single birds reported from: G@.—Frampton Pools, Aug. 24 (jps), and §.—St. George’s Wharf, June 26 (TBs); Stock Hill Woods, Dec. 13, and Rookham (Wells), Dec. 31 (jAmcc). DiereR Cinclus cinclus Single birds reported from: G.—Willsbridge and §.—Monkton Combe (five young reared), Shockerwick and Freshford. BEARDED Tir Panurus biarmicus See page 227. G. One or two, Frampton Pools and New Grounds, November (LPA, BHB). S. Ten, Sand Point, Oct. 15 (RA). Up to seven, Gordano Valley and Chew Valley res., Oct. 15—Dec. 10 (SBE, AM, CEDS). Rinc OuzeL Turdus torquatus S. Eight, Crook Peak, Mar. 31 (TB). One or two, Kenn Moor, Sand Point and Brean Down, Apr. 5—May 7 and Sept. 9—Nov. 5. WHEATEAR Oéenanthe oenanthe See page 225. Reports (63, of which 25 from G.) of up to ten birds, from widespread localities, Mar. 8—Oct. 17. STONECHAT Saxicola torquata Sixty-one reports (15 from G.), all months, of up to six birds from widespread localities, including successful breeding at Chittening, old airport, Whitchurch, Shute Shelve, Crook Peak and Brean Down. WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Reports (43), Apr. 11-Oct. 3, from: G@.—Fretherne, Frampton Pools, New Grounds, N. Nibley, Littleton Warth, Aust, Severn Beach, Chittening and Filton; and §.—Bathampton, Saltford, Old Airport, Whitchurch, Nailsea Moor (where breeding proved— HRH), St. George’s Wharf, Sand Bay and Brean Down. Repstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus See page 227. Reports of one, sometimes two, from widespread localities, Apr. 16—-Nov. 12. Breeding proved: G.—Sheperdine; §.—Ashton Park, Brockley Combe, Priddy, North Stoke and Lansdown. BLack RepstTarRT Phoenicurus ochrurus G. Single birds, Chittening, Feb. and Dec. 22, and Almondsbury, Mar. 18. NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos Singing gd reported from: G.—Frampton Pools, Sheperdine, Tortworth Lake, Alveston, Inglestone Common, Chittening, | Compton Greenfield, Filton and Stoke Park (Bristol); and S.— Leigh Woods, Ashton Park, Burrington Combe, Chew Valley res., | and Bath area, Apr. 15-June II. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 249 GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Reports (52) of singing 33 from go localities (11 in G.). Breeding proved, Long Ashton and Portbury Wharf (S.). AQuaTic WARBLER Acrocephalus paludicola See pages 226-7. S. One trapped, Chew Valley res., Aug. 20 (cvrs); 7th record for district. BiackxcaP Sylvia atricapilla Wintering birds reported from: G@.—-Chittening, Sneyd Park and Redland (Bristol); and §.—Abbots Leigh, Worle and Bath. Woop WarBLER- Pahylloscopus stbilatrix Reported from 22 localities (5 in G.), Apr. 11—July. Breeding proved, Ashton Park, Brockley Combe and Clevedon Court Wood. Frrecrest Regulus ignicapillus See page 226. S. Single birds, Brean Down, Mar. 17 and Steep Holm, Oct. 7. Prep FrycaTcHER Ficedula hypoleuca Single birds reported, Apr. 15-May 25, from: G@.—Frampton Pools, Sheperdine and Henbury; and §8.—Abbots Leigh, Worle- bury, Brean Down, Chew Magna and Monkton Combe (TB, Pjc, TBS et al.). TREE Pieir Anthus trivialis Reports (57) of up to 13 from 25 localities (9g in G.), Apr. 9- Sept. 24. Breeding proved, Ashton Park and Chew Valley res. (S.). Rock Pierr Anthus spinoletta petrosus S. Inland records of single birds from Barrow Gurney, Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Jan._Mar. 25 and Oct. 9 to end year. WATER Pipit Anthus spinoletta spinoletta S. Reports (39) of up to 15 from coast and Barrow Gurney, Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Jan.Apr. 13 and Oct. 28 to end year. WuitEe WactaiL Motacilla alba alba S. Up toseven reported from Sand Bay, Brean Down, and Cheddar and Chew Valley resrs., Mar. 17-May 7 and Sept. (RA, SBE, HRHL ¢ al.). GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor S. One, Long Ashton Bypass, Oct. 19 (KTs). RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio S. One, Sand Point, May 9 (TB). HawrincH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Reports of up to six from: G.—Inglestone Common and Clifton Down (Bristol); and §.—Leigh Woods, Ashton Park, Emborough, Monkton Combe and Rainbow Wood (Bath) (GBB, RMC, BLK e¢ al.). 250 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT CrossBILL Loxia curvirostra See page 227. Reports of up to 20 from: G@.—Frampton Pools; and §.—Abbots Leigh, Easton-in-Gordano, St. George’s Wharf, Cleeve, Sandford, E. Harptree, Blagdon and Chew Valley resrs. and Stock Hill Woods, June 30—Dec. 20. Flock of 150-++, latter place, July 30 (Pyjc). BRAMBLING § Fringilla montifringilla Reports of up to 150 from 31 localities, Jan.—Apr. 8 and Oct. 19 to end year. Visited bird tables regularly, Dursley, Feb. to March and Weston-s-Mare, Jan. to March (p, ys). SIsKIN Carduelis spinus Reports (105) of up to 200 from widespread localities, Jan.— Apr. 22 and Sept. 6 to end year. REDPOLL Carduelis flammea Reports (117) of up to 30 birds from 46 coastal and inland localities, all months. Corn Buntinc § Emberiza calandra G. Count of 93 singing gg, Marshfield area, June 8 (nyc). Up to four reported, New Grounds, Tetbury, Tresham, Patchway, Tormarton, West Littleton and Cold Ashton, Apr. 8—July 26. S. Breeding proved, Hinton Charterhouse (pyc). Reports of up to five from Sand Bay, Yoxter Farm (Mendip), Chewton Mendip, Keynsham, Burnett and Lansdown, Mar. 5-Oct. 28. Cirt Buntinc Emberiza cirlus Reports of one or two from Hawkesbury Common (G.), Bleadon Hill, Worlebury and Compton Bishop, Mar. 25—June 25. Snow Buntinc Plectrophenax nivalis G. One, Frampton Pools, Nov. 17 (svrc). S. Up to three, Sand Bay, Jan. 12 and Nov. 14—Dec. 14 (TB, TBS). TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Reports (70) of up to 30 birds from 55 localities (15 in G.). Flock of 200, Chewton Mendip (S.), Jan. 31 (pw). OTHER COMMON OR REGULARLY OCCURRING SPECIES PRESENT (those marked * are mentioned in the Foreword). Residents—Little Grebe, Mallard, Greylag Gooset, Pheasant, Moorhen, Black- headed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove*, Tawny Owl*, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Skylark, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay; Great, Blue, Coal and Marsh Tits; Long-tailed Tit*, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Goldcrest*, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Chaffinch*, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow. Summer or winter visitors or passage migrants: Turtle Dove*, Cuckoo*, Swallow, House Martin, Fieldfare*, Redwing*, Reed, Sedge and Garden Warblers, Whitethroat*, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Spotted Fly- catcher, Yellow Wagtail. + Full-winged birds from the Wildfowl Trust are regularly seen elsewhere in the area. 251 LEPIDOPTERA NOTES BRISTOL DISTRICT, 16472 BUTTERFLIES By A. N. Groskz UNNY and warm days in March were followed by cold, cloudy weather of the spring and early summer. This had an adverse effect on the butterfly population. Many were two or three weeks later in emerging and numbers were down with few exceptions. Records were received from:—R. Angles, Miss I. F. Gravestoke, R. J. Gregory, A. N. Grose, D. R. Hamblett, B. Harper, J. Humphries, T. and M. Silcocks, J. F. Burton, K. H. Poole. G and §S refer to the two vice-counties of West Gloucestershire and North Somerset. Pararge aegeria (Speckled Wood) G. and S., fairly common and widespread. Peak Sept. 15 and 17. Pararge megera (Wall Brown) G. and S., only seen in small numbers. Melanargea galathea (Marbled White) G. Fairly common in usual localities. Kingsweston Down, 96 on July 29. S. A few only, Goblin Combe, 6 on Aug. 9 Eumenis semele (Grayling) G. A few only. Dole Bohy Warren, 3 on Aug. 19. S. A few only. Brean Down, 4 on Aug. 9. Maniola jurtina (Meadow Brown) G. and S. Fairly common and widespread. Kingsweston Down, abundant July 2g. West Littleton, abundant July 14. Maniola tithonus (Hedge Brown) G. and S. Fairly common in its usual localities. Wetmoor, common on July 20. Portbury, common on Aug. 5. Coenonympha pamphilus (Small Heath) G. and S. Widespread but in small numbers. Dole Bohy Warren, 45 on Aug. 19. Aphantopus hyperanthus (Ringlet) G. and S. A poor year, only seen in small numbers, but widespread. Argynnis selene (Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary) G. No records received. S. 1 on July 4 at Sandford Hill. 5 on July 20 at Charterford. Argynnis euphrosyne (Pearl Bordered Fritillary) G. Uncommon. 1 on June 2 at Blackpool Bridge, Forest of Dean. S. No records. Arg ynnis aglaia (Dark Green Fritillary) G. Seen in small numbers. 3 on Aug. 19 at Dole Bohy Warren. S. Goblin Combe on Aug. 20. E 252 A. N. GROSE, K. M. POOLE AND OTHERS Argynnis paphia (Silver Washed Fritillary) G. Not uncommon. Blackpool Bridge, Forest of Dean, Aug. 10. Ashton Court, Aug. 27. S.No records. Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral) G. and S. Widespread but in very small numbers. Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) G. and S. Widespread but uncommon. Sept. and Oct. Aglaise urticae (Small Tortoiseshell) G. and S. Fairly common, but numbers down. Nymphalis io (Peacock) G. and S. Less common than usual. Polygonia C-album (Comma) G. and §. Widespread but uncommon both spring and autumn. Limenitis camilla (White Admiral) G. In small numbers, Forest of Dean Aug. 7 and 24, Dymock Wood Aug. 24, Wetmoor July 28. S. No records. Aricia agestis (Brown argus) G. Only one record, Nailsworth May 31. S. Clevedon, 1 on June 17. Polyommatus icarus (Common Blue) G. In the usual localities, but in small numbers. S. In the usual places, but in small numbers. Celastrina argiolas (Holly Blue) Local in small numbers, most evident in first brood. G. Arnos Vale May g and 18, Blakeney May 18. S. Sand Point April 5 and 15, Weston May 14, Cadbury camp Aug. 26. Lysandra coridon (Chalkhill Blue) G. No records. S. Brean Down Aug 13, several. Lycaena Phlaeas (Small Copper) G. Local and uncommon, Bream, several, May 30. S. Local and uncommon, Abbots Leigh, Sept 9. Weston Aug. 23 and 30. Callophrys (Green Hairstreak) G. Nailsworth, May 31. S. No records. Thecla quercus (Purple Hairstreak) G. Forest of Dean, several Aug. 24. S.No records. Strymon W-album (White Letter Hairstreak) G. Bledisloe, Blakeney July 11, several July 30. S. Clevedon, 1 July 22. Leptidea sinapis (Wood White) G. Symonds Yat, several June 1 and 3. Pieris brassicae (Large White) G. and S. Widespread, May to September, uncommon. Pieris rapae (Small White) G. and S. Widespread, May to Oct., fairly common. Pieris napi (Green Veined White) G. and §. Widespread, April to Sept., fairly common. Anthocaris cardamines (Orange Tip) G. and §. Reduced numbers in the usual localities, Blakeney 4 on May 27, Abbots Leigh, April 25 to June 3, Sandford Hill, Coalpit Heath June 8. LEPIDOPTERA NOTES 253 Gonepteryx rhamni (Brimstone) Fairly widespread, usual number in the spring, but few in autumn. G. Cromhall March 16, Bristol Docks Oct. 6, West Littleton July 14, Forest of Dean March 20. S. Abbots Leigh April 12. Erynnis tages (Dingy Skipper) G. Nailsworth May 31, Symonds Yat June I. Pyrgus Malvae (Grizzled Skipper) G. Bream May 30, Blackpool Bridge, Forest of Dean June 2. Thymelicus sylvestris (Small Skipper) Very common and widespread. G. Kingsweston Down 40 on July 29, Wetmoor, many on July 25. S. Lulsgate 12 on Aug. 12. Ochlodes venata (Large Skipper) Common and widespread. G. Frampton Cotterell July 18, Ashton Court 17 July 11. §. Portbury July 9, Biddlecombe Wood July 29. MOTHS By K. H. PooLe HE following list has been compiled from records received from: Austin Richardson (AA), C. S. H. Blathwayt (CSHB), J. F. Burton (JFB), A. Kennard (AK), and K. H. Poole (KHP). Unless marked * all were noted at light, and were single specimens except where shown otherwise. Some records received too late for the 1971 notes are included. Macroglossum stellatarum L. (Humming-bird Hawkmoth), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, July 20* (KHP). Clostera curtula L. (Chocolate Tip), Saltford, June 3, 1971 (AK). Drepana cultraria Fab. (Barred Hooktip), Weston-s-Mare, August 29, 30 (CSHB). Lithosia quadra L. (Four-spotted Footman), Weston-s-Mare, August 19 (CSHB). Agrotis vestigialis Hufn. (Archer’s Dart), Weston-s-Mare, August 23 (CsHB). Argrotis cinerea Hb. (Light Feathered Rustic), Saltford, May 11, 1971 (Ak). Anaplectoides prasina Schiff. (Green Arches), Weston-s-Mare, July 29 (csHB). Hadena genistae Borkh. (Light Brocade) Saltford, June 3, 1971 (AK). Panolis griseovariegata Goeze (Pine Beauty), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, April 14 (KHP). Cosmia pyralina Schiff. (Lunar-spotted Pinion), Saltford, July 9, 11, 1971 (2) (AK). C. affinis L. (Lesser-spotted Pinion), Weston -s-Mare, August 29 (CSHB). Cucullia chamomillae Schiff. (Chamomile Shark), Weston-s-Mare, April 21 (csHB). Plusia gamma L. (Silver Y), Clevedon, October 1 (2)* (jrB). Ophiusa pastinum Treit. (The Blackneck), Saltford, July 9, 1971 (Ak). Eupithecia pygmacata Hb. (Marsh Pug), Shapwick, late May—early June* (csHB). E. succenturiata L. (Bordered Pug), Weston-s-Mare, July 12 (csHB). Kygaena lonicerae Schev. (Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet), Clevedon, July 22*. 23* (many), Brean Down, August 13* (JFB). 254 A. N. GROSE, K. M. POOLE AND OTHERS Chloroclystis chloerata Mab. Cranham, 3 laryae, April 28, 2 moths emerged May a1, 22, (First record for Glos.) (AA). Procris geryon Hb. (Cistus Forester), Clevedon, Wain’s Hill, July 22* (3) 23* (about 20) (jrs). Bathford Hill (Brown’s Folly), June 13, 1971* (ar). ODONATA (DRAGONFLIES) CONTRIBUTED BY J. M. Boyp Dragonflies were late this year and due to the weather in reduced numbers. Agrion splendens Harris (Banded Agrion) Walton Heath, Glastonbury, July 30. Lestes sponsa Hanseman (Green Lestes) Walton Heath July 30, Westhay Levels Aug. 28, Tealham Moor Aug. 29. Pyrrhosoma nymphula Sulzer (Large Red Damselfly), same areas as previous years, May 14-—July 30. Ishnura elegans Van der Linden, (Common Ishnura), same areas, June 11-Sept. 10. Enallagma cyathigerum Charpentier, (Common Blue Dameslfly), Blagdon Lake July 22, Aug. 12; Bathampton July 25. Coenagrion puella L, (Common Coenagrion), same areas as in previous years, June 7-July 31. Coenagrion pulchellum Van der Linden, (Variable Coenagrion), Chilton Moor June 11, Ken Moor June 14. Ceriagrion tenellum Villers (Small Red Dameslfly) Walton Moor, July 30. Brachyton pratense Miller, (Hairy Dragonfly), Chilton Moor June 11, Westhay Heath June 11. Aeslina cyanea Miller (Southern Aeslina), Westhay Levels Aug. 28 (3), Oct. 21, Yatton Sept. 10, Kenn Sept. 10. Aeslina grandis L. (Brown Aeslina), Bathampton July 25. Aeslina mixta Latreille. (Scarce Aeslina), individuals at Tealham Moor, Draycott Kingstone Seymoor, Sedgemoor July 28-Sept. 24. Libellula quadrimaculata L. (Four Spotted Libellula), usual areas, May 14—July 11. Libellula depressa L. (Broad Bodied Libellula), Westhay Heath and Westhay Level, May 14—June 11. Sympetrum striolatum Charpentier. (Common Sympetrum), usual areas, July 30- Oct. 8. Sympetrum sanguineum Miller, Blagdon. Sympetrum danae (Black Sympetrum), one male at Westhay Levels Aug. 28. 255 HETEROPTERA TAKEN AT LONG ASHTON RESEARCH STATION BRISTOL By J. A. WIGHTMAN Identification followed Southwood and Leston (1959) Species Hosts MiIRIDAE Monalocoris filicis (L.) Deraeocoris ruber (L.) Orthonotus rufifrons (Fallen) Phylus coryli (L.) Plagiognathus arbustorum (Fabr.) Dicyplurs errans (Wolff) Heterotoma merioptera (Scopoli) Bletharidopterus angulatus (Fallen) Pteridium sp. Urtica dioica U. dioica Corylus avellana U. dioica, Heracleum spondylium U, dioica U. dioica. C. avellana C. avellana, Acer pseudplatanus Orthotylus marginalis (reuter) Salix sp. O. flavosparsus (Sahlberg) Chenopodium sp. O. nassatus (Fabr.) Loganberry Lypus rugulipennis Chenopodium sp. C. avellana and other plants U. dioica, C. avellana Numerous hosts Convolvulus sp. Carduus sp. Liocoris tripustulstus (Fabr.) Lygocoris pabulinus (L.) Calocoris norvegicus (Gmelin) C. sexguttatus (Fabr.) Loganberry Phytocoris tiliae (Fabr.) Salix sp. P. ulmi (L.) Vicia faba Holcus lanatus among U. dioica Lelium perenne among Salix Grasses among Black Currants Grasses among Black Currants Stenodema calceratum (Fallen) S. laevigatum Notostiva elongata (Geoffroy) Stenotus binotatus (Fabr.) QOYRUNRNRQAADQH FUPWNUNQQANNDA NABIDAE Nabis rugosus (L.) Rank Grasses CIMICIDAE Anthocaris nemorum (1..) A Many hosts esp. U. dioica LYGAEIDAE Peritrechus lundi C CorIXIDAE Corixa punctata (Illiger) C On artificial pond. Common Sigara sp. N) On artificial pond. Common NOTONECTIDAE Notonecta maculata Cc On artificial pond. Common GERRIDAE Gerris thoracius (Schammel) Cc On artificial pond. Common A—abundant, C—common, S—1 to several. 257 BRISTOL MAMMAL REPORT, 1972 By R. G. SyMEs NE of the prime objectives of the Mammal Section has been to record the distribution of the mammals of the Bristol district, firstly on the basis of 10 km squares of the National Grid for the Mammal Society maps (Corbet 1971), and then on a 1 km square basis. Similar mapping has been, and is being carried out on many groups of plants and animals and is very important in producing base-lines for comparison in future years. Some species have now been mapped in all 10 km squares in the Bristol district but the maps based on 1 km squares still show a wide scattering of records and much work remains. In addition to establishing the presence of a species, members have also contributed other useful information on behaviour, colour varieties, litter dates and sizes, measurements, parasites and trap- ping results. To meet the needs of those wishing to be more in- volved in the study of mammals than merely noting grid references the Section produced a new recording card in 1972. This allows more space for recording the type of information outlined above and also for details of habitat. The Section’s field work in 1972 (see Section Secretary’s report p- 193) included several river surveys, trapping meetings, and a very successful badger survey (Ary). In the latter, members surveyed part of 10 km square ST 68, primarily for badger setts but also noting any other species seen. The party covered 9 1 km squares systematically, found 18 badger setts and recorded 10 species of mammals. ‘Trapping for small mammals was carried out on several meetings and where the trapping effort was recorded there were 54 catches in 155 trap nights with Longworth traps, and 35 catches in 140 trap-nights with Flap traps. The Longworths caught 4 species, the Flap traps 5. During a visit to Steepholm in July, 47 mammal traps of various sorts were set for one night, but no mammals were caught. All likely sites for small mammals were searched but no evidence of runs, droppings, etc., was found. It seems safe to assume that rabbits are the only mammal species present (sH, TL). A great deal of concern was expressed nationally during the year over the status of bats. Results of a survey suggested that organo- chlorine insecticides could have caused declines in bat populations (Jefferies 1972). Other likely causes were destruction of roosts and removal from buildings. Conservation measures adopted insomeareas 258 R. G. SYMES included installation of steel grills over cave entrances and provision of bat roosting boxes. 494 reports of mammals were received for 1972, this total in- cluded 22 new 10 km square records, and 269 new 1 km square records. Check list names and numbers are taken from Corbet (1969), except that the names “ship rat’? and “‘common rat”’ are preferred as black and brown varieties of both of these species occur. Thanks for records, newspaper cuttings, and other information go to:—K. Batty, R. Bowerman, A. and J. Buchan, A. Burberry, J. F. Burton, R. Chadwick, D. J. Collier, R. M. Curber, Daily Telegraph, C.J. Dallinger, Dr. J. W. Dodson, M. J. D’Oyly, Miss I. F. Gravestock, A. L. Hall, H.R. Hammacott, T. Hardy, S. Harris, Mrs. P. Hill-Cottingham, A. F. Jayne, H. and N. D. Kay, Miss E. J. Lenton, T. Lording, Mrs. E. Magill, J. Milton, Mrs. E. M. Moore, J. Morton, North Somerset Mercury, Mr. J. G. and Mrs. S. E. Prince, E. W. Powell, B. Rabbitts, F. H. Rawlings, A. P. Richards, Mrs. E. Robbins, Dr. R. J. G. Savage, T. B. Silcocks, Dr. C. E. D. Smith, E. S. Smith, Miss L. J. Smith, R. E. Stebbings, C. Stratton, Sunday Times, R. Surch, Mrs. G. Symes, A. Thomas, R. J. Tucker, Mr. G. and Mrs. A. M. Walker, P. Walker, Miss J. B. Webb, Miss J. Weir, Western Daily Press, Mrs. G. A. Winn. 1. HEDGEHOG. Enrinaceus europaeus. 1t seemed that hedgehogs were more abundant in 1972 than 1971. Certainly more bodies were recorded on the roads than in the preceding twelve months. 80 reports of hedgehogs were received, 36 being sightings in Bristol. An addition to the Mammal Society map was a new Io km square record for ST 44 (RGs). 33 records were for 1 km squares from which the species had not previously been noted. Earliest sightings were on 3 (HRH) and 4 (rRGs) of January, then none until April. Latest were 4 seen in November, then individuals were seen on 7 (GAW), 8 and 10 (jwp) of December. Two hedgehogs were seen nose to nose in a garden going round in a circle for 45 minutes from 22.30 BST on 2 August and recordings were made of their conversation (Gc and AMW). This circling is typical courtship behaviour (Morris, 1970). Juveniles were reported on 12 and 19 May and 25 July (Rs), 31 August (RGs) and 26 September (ts). The date of the first May litter indicates mating occurred almost before the beginning of April, the gestation period being 30-35 days and the young having been estimated at 2~3 weeks old. One hedgehog seen ina suburban garden was spineless except for a 2-inch circular patch of spines on its back (rs, PW). It is of interest to note that as from 1 April 1972 hedgehogs in Sweden were given special protection as they had become so rare, making it illegal to kill them, or even to move them from one place to another (DT). 2. MOLE. Talpa europaea. The description of the inner limits of the mole’s distribution in the City of Bristol published in the 1971 report MAMMAL SURVEY 259 (Symes 1972) was not challenged apart from one record from Canford Cemetery (rjT). Among records received were 14 from new I km squares and new 10 km square records for st 52 and 53 (RGs). Several bodies of moles were found on Steepholm in July but these were certainly carried over by gulls (sH), there being no recorded population of moles on the island. Matthews (1938) reported finding a dead mole there and he considered it had been transported by gulls or by the tide. 3. COMMON SHREW. Sorex araneus. ‘These were caught in Longworth and Flap traps on a number of occasions. Where a teaspoonful of tinned dog food had been added to the traps the shrews survived the night (zjL). There were 16 new 1 km square records and new 10 km square records for st 44 (EJL, JBW) and 75 (RGS). 4. PYGMY SHREW. Sorex minutus. The three reports received were new I km square records. Very few reports of this species have come from the Gloucestershire side of the Bristol district. 5. WATER SHREW. WNeomys fodiens. Only a single record of this species in 1972, one was caught by hand (su) at Chittening Warth. This was a new 10 km square record for st 58. It was found under a log in coarse grassland next to a saltmarsh during the Section’s field meeting in December. The find was somewhat unexpected as this species is associated with freshwater, and the water near the site was heavily polluted chemically and the mudflats and grassland were very dry (FHR). This species has been recorded previously by the Section, and other workers too, at some distance from any ob- vious water source. 8. GREATER HORSESHOE BAT. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. Ringed specimens were found dead at Oakford in September (TH) and at Combe Down in May (£jL). That found at Oakford was ringed in January 1971 at Combe Down. It had probably been born in summer 1970 (REs). 11, WHISKERED BAT. Myotis mystacinus. One found dead at Combe Down (£jL—ident. REs). A live specimen was caught in a mist net at Abbots Leigh (TBs) on 3 October. 19. PIPISTRELLE. Pipistrellus pipisirellus. One found dead at Chilcompton in August (JwD) was about 23-26 days old at time of death (REs). 24. FOX. Vulpes vulpes. A new record for ST 75 (EJL) means foxes have been recorded from all 10 km squares in the Bristol district. There were a number of reports of foxes in urban areas, the local 260 R. G. SYMES planning committee of Kingswood U.D.C. was told that the in- vasion of foxes was becoming serious, and the council at Thornbury was told that foxes were getting bolder, raiding dustbins for scraps of food (BEP). Pet rabbits were apparently taken by foxes from hutches at Ashton Vale (BEP) and at Nailsea (Nsm). A fox was seen sleeping up a willow tree and one was found decapitated on a rail- way line (HRH). An adult was heard whining in the entrance to an earth at 13.30 BST on 24 October. It came out of the hole when the observer was about 2 ft. away and bounded off into a thick nettle bed (ajr). The annual fox rally held in Bristol between o600 and 0730 GMT on 6 February resulted in sightings of only 3 foxes. Because so many sightings in previous years had been on the Downs some members stationed themselves in cars around the edges of the Downs whilst others walked across in a line. However no foxes were flushed from the area. 3 cars circled the Stoke Bishop district and saw 3 foxes. 27. STOAT. Mustela erminea. Only five records of sightings were received, very few stoats have been reported in south Gloucester- shire. 28. WEASEL. Mustela nivalis. Sighted in thirteen 10 km squares, the highest number yet. A record for ST 77 (£jJL) was a new record for the Mammal Society map. A report of interest from 1971 received too late for inclusion in last year’s Proceedings was a litter of 4-5 young found in a nest on 12 July, a parent attacked the observer’s dog (rs). Mr. R. G. Williams kindly made the Section some weasel traps which have been set on several meetings. 30. AMERICAN MINK. Mustela vison. Recorded from Somerset from 5 10 km squares. Mink have not yet been reported in the Gordano valley. Results of analyses of stomach contents of mink were published by Day and Linn (1972). They showed that mam- mals formed about a third of the food eaten, with lagomorphs, probably mostly rabbits, forming the most numerous individual mammal item. Rats and field voles were also frequently taken. Birds were taken as often as mammals, the chief order concerned being Ralliformes. Game birds and woodpigeons also appeared important although they could have been eaten as carrion. Other food items were coarse fish (usually cyprinids but no salmonid remains), amphibians, reptiles, crayfish and insects. In Scotland Akande (1972) found that fish (49%) formed the main prey (mostly Salmonidae), birds made up 38% and mammals 23% Ten otter hunts in the country were reported as being also engaged in mink hunting (sT). eee MAMMAL SURVEY 261 31. BADGER. Meles meles. Records were received from thirteen 10 km squares with 22 new setts being recorded. Several badgers were unexpectedly seen about in daylight, one was seen in school grounds at 10.00 hrs at Backwell (pHc), and one in office grounds at 10.00 hrs at Westbury-on-Trym (ros). The latter animal was photo- graphed whilst sleeping in a clump of nettles, it is thought it may have been hit by a car and was concussed. Three badgers were startled outside their sett at 14.30 BST by a Mammal Section field meeting on 30 April. They ran to their sett snarling. Amongst records of badger watches at night, 7 badgers were seen at a sett on 21 April (Ary). Very few records of breeding success were received. A female found dead on 6 March (myp) had been suckled on 4 teats, one cub was found dead on 17 June (arFy), its sett having been bull- dozed in tipping operations. Mr. A. P. Richards reported seeing a badger at 1500 GMT on 29 January with what he thought in a fleeting glimpse were 2 very small cubs. He described them as having fairly light silvery grey pelts. Results of two surveys were published by Dr. Ernest Neal in 1972. These were the results to date of the National Badger Survey (Neal 1972a) and the results of the survey in Somerset (Neal 1972b). The latter included information on relatively few setts in North Somerset and members can actively help by completing question- naires on all the setts known in the Bristol district. Badgers in a sett at Dursley refused to leave despite houses being built all around and rubbish, paint, creosote, etc., being tipped down the holes. Four were trapped in cages and removed to vacant setts near High Wycombe (Manfield 1972). There were varied reports of other pressures on badgers in 1972. A dealer was reported to be giving £50 a pelt for making into skirts, waistcoats and evening jackets (st), whilst another price quoted was £1:25! Dr. Neal was quoted as saying that 1,000 badgers are killed on the roads in Somerset every year, and he also reported that village inns were running badger-feasts as gimmicks. A mill at Chard was stated to turn out 60,000 shaving brushes made with badger hair (BEP) and such brushes were advertised by a London firm at £3°95 each. Bovine tuberculosis was reported to have been found in badgers in south Gloucestershire, the first recorded occurrence of the disease in badgers in this country (Council for Nature, 1972). Following a joint meeting between officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and representatives of wildlife interests all the badger setts in the area were mapped and monitor- ing of badgers faeces for the tuberculosis organism (Mycobacterium bovis) was undertaken. It was later reported that over 1,000 setts had been found inanarea around Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge (wWpp). 262 R. G. SYMES 32. OTTER. Luira lutra. The Section carried out three river surveys as field meetings in 1972. The Mammal Section Committee have asked that otter records for the Bristol district should not be included in this report. A report from Devon of mink killing 4 otter cubs was unsubstantiated. The World Wildlife Fund launched a campaign to save the otter and two Otter Protection Bills were introduced into Parliament but neither survived. The secretary of the eighty-strong Master of Otterhounds Association was quoted as saying “Our three year old ban on the actual killing of otters during a hunt is continuing indefinitely until the otter is truly re-established”’ (sr). 34. GREY SEAL. Halichoerus grypus. Individuals (not sexed) were seen in the sea off Brean Down (BR) and Steepholm (RB, sH). ‘These are new non-breeding 10 km square records for ST 25 and 26 respectively. It is possible that some individuals branded on North Rona, Inverness may appear in the seas in this district,—observers should look for branded letters on the upperside of any seals they see, and note the letter and its position on the body. The Section’s field meeting to Pembrokeshire on 6—8 October resulted in sightings on Ramsey Island of about 64 pups, ranging from new born to moulters, and 58 adults. A pup, a bull and 2 or 3 cows were seen at mainland beaches. 47. CHINESE MUNTJAC. Muntiacus reevesi. An unconfirmed sighting was reported from Mendip (CcEDs). 48. CHINESE WATER DEER. A)ydropotes inermis. The scepticism expressed in last year’s report over the presence of this species at Filton seems to have been unreasonable. Further sightings have been reported and the animal is said to have escaped from a local wildlife park (GAT). 53. BROWN HARE. Lepus capensis. This was the most widely recorded species, reports being received from eighteen 10 km squares. Additions to the Mammal Society map were ST 44 and 89 (RGs). Apparent juveniles were reported on 21 August (HRH) and g September (Rc). 55. RABBIT. Oryctolagus cuniculus. Recorded from fifteen 10 km squares. The farming press claimed that the rabbit population in Somerset was increasing rapidly and that if the position was allowed to go unchecked the countryside could soon be back to pre- myxomatosis days. Ross (1972) considered that rabbits in this country had been dealt a severe but not fatal blow by myxomatosis and they were recovering slowly. If myxoma viruses of moderate virulence continued to predominate and in the absence of wide- spread development of genetically resistant rabbits, it seemed MAMMAL SURVEY 263 likely that the rabbit population would remain considerably smaller than before myxomatosis. Williams ef al. (1972) demon- strated the existence of latent myxoma virus in rabbits and con- sidered that epizootics of myxomatosis might be initiated from rabbits in which latent myxoma virus had been reactivated. The only case of myxomatosis reported was at Latteridge in February (pw, JM). The continued presence of rabbits on Steepholm was con- firmed in July (sH), and on Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire the field meeting saw a “‘vast rabbit population’’. 3 or 4 juveniles were seen in the Bristol district on 18 May (Rs) and 3 were seen on 18 June (ros). Mr. A. F. Jayne reported that a rabbit jumped onto a 3 ft 10 in high wall. Wet paw marks only on the top of the wall confirmed that no other part of the wall was touched. 57. GREY SQUIRREL. Sciurus carolinensis. Recorded from thirteen 10 km squares with many reports from urban areas. Squirrels were photographed feeding from a person’s hand on Brandon Hill, one was reported stuck in a drain pipe, and one brought traffic on the Centre to a standstill (pep). A report of a red squirrel at Stapleton in June was probably a grey squirrel in summer coat as no ear tufts were seen. An adult was seen with one juvenile on 8 May (sEP), and there were two reports of adults seen carrying young, on 13 April and 11 May. In the latter instance the young was carried between the forelimbs of the adult (Ary). Other reports of juveniles were of three seen in June, and one found dead on 16 July. A female found dead on 19 October had been suckled on 5 teats and an immature female found dead in the same locality had a heavy population of Orchopeas howardt howardi (Baker) (ident—R. S. George), a Nearctic flea introduced to the country with this squirrel species. It also had a mite which was a species of Podothrombium (ident—K. Hyatt) but was neither of two well known British species and has been retained by the British Museum (Natural History). A Nottingham firm offered 5p each for squirrels’ tails for making fishing flies. The Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1972 gave the relevant Minister power to make an order permitting the use of a specified poison in a specified manner in specified areas against grey squirrels and coypus. He did not make such an order in 1972. 59. DORMOUSE. Muscardinus avellanarius. A nest found on 31 December has since been confirmed as that of a dormouse. This is a new 10 km record for ST 45 (rs). The nest was found amongst ivy and honeysuckle on a branch of hawthorn. It consisted of shredded strands of bark and leaves woven into a neat ball. The inside of the ball was also lined with bark but this was shredded much more finely. There were mouse-size droppings inside the nest. 264 R. G. SYMES 61. HARVEST MOUSE. Micromys minutus. Thanks particularly to the efforts of Stephen Harris breeding nests of harvest mice were found in 5 areas of Somerset. ‘They were found principally in reeds but full details of the vegetation will be investigated later. Two nests were given to the Bristol City Museum. At one site two persons searching for 2 hours found 3 nests, whilst an apparently promising area at Wetmoor, Gloucs., was searched for 6 man-hours but no nests found. Trapping at some of the Somerset sites resulted in catches of 3 harvest mice in 242 Longworth trap-nights (jBw, EJL, AFJ, RGS, SH, TL). ‘These were the first harvest mice trapped by the Mammal Section, previous records having been from owl pellets and one nest. New 10 km records are for ST 44 (sH, EJL, JBW), 57 (sH) and 47 (sH). 62. WOOD MOUSE. Apodemus sylvaticus. Trapped on several field meetings in Longworth and Flap traps. A male wood mouse caught in a Longworth trap in October 1969 died on 16 November, having lived for 3 years 1 month in captivity (RGs). 62. YELLOW-NECKED MOUSE. Apodemus flavicollis. ‘Two were trapped in Flap traps in two areas of Lower Wetmoor during the Mammal Section Field meeting in May (Fy). 64. HOUSE MOUSE. Mus musculus. Members reported in- festations killed by trapping in several garages and buildings. Ten were trapped in Longworth traps in a flat in Clifton. Two females killed in a food store in February were both pregnant. One had 7 embryos in the right uterus and 1 in the left (all about 5 mm diameter), the other had 5 embryos in the right uterus and 3 in the left (about 18 mm long each) (RGs). 65. SHIP RAT. Rattus rattus. Six of the black variety were trapped alive or poisoned in premises in Clifton (RGs). 66. COMMON RAT. Rattus norvegicus. Recorded from nine 10 km squares, ST 54 and 44 (jBw) being new records. 67. BANK VOLE. Clethrionomys glareolus. ‘Trapped at a number of localities, new 10 km records being for ST 44 (EJL, JBW), 58 (FHR) and 68 (AFJ). 68. WATER VOLE. Arvicola terrestris. Records from three 10 km squares only although that from ST 66 was a new addition to the Mammal Society map (EJL). One was seen repeatedly diving with dead stalks of grasses (EJL), presumably for use in nest building. 69. SHORT TAILED VOLE. Maicrotus agrestis. Besides trapping results and identification from traces, records were from skulls in kestrel and barn owl pellets. A juvenile was caught by hand on 10 MAMMAL SURVEY 265 June (£jL) and a nest was found with two well-grown dead young on 19 September (HRH). 77. LESSER RORQUAL. Balaenoptera acutorostrata. A whale of this species came ashore on 24 October 800 yards (720 metres) north of the Severn Bridge at Beachley. It was reported as 15 ft (4:5 m) long (jrB). Up to 1969 106 strandings had been reported on the British Coast since 1913 (Fraser 1969). ‘The last published report of a stranding of a lesser rorqual in the Severn Estuary was at Awre, Gloucestershire, 24 miles above Avonmouth in 1943 (Fraser 1953). When a whale was stranded at Littleton Pill in 1885 it was “‘visited by many thousand people, for whose accommodation special trains were run by the Midland Railway Company” (Wilson 1885). ‘The lesser rorqual, or piked whale, is a whalebone whale and a charac- teristic feature is a white patch on the outer side of the flipper (Fraser 1969). — MONGOLIAN GERBIL. Meriones unguiculatus. A female of this species, which is also called the clawed jird, was caught by a cat in a suburban garden at Westbury-on-Trym on 31 May (Dr. Miller). Gerbils of this species were first introduced to this country in 1935 and have been widely adopted as laboratory animals and as pets. It is thought that this specimen was one of a surplus litter of 6 reported to have been released in that locality. — GOLDEN HAMSTER. Mesocricetus auratus. A female was trapped alive at Avonmouth in the hold of a ship carrying wheat loaded at Kaliningrad, USSR. Identification was difficult as it was an albino. It was at first thought to be a European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) but on later examination Mr. F. P. Rowe identified it as a Golden Hamster. There have been previous reports of feral golden hamsters in this country (Rowe 1968) but this is probably the first to be recorded from a ship. — WALLABY. (Species unknown). A wallaby, believed to have a cub in her pouch escaped from a wildlife park at Chard in April. No news of recapture was heard. Yalden and Hosey (1971) sub- mitted that as Bennett’s wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) had been living ferally in this country for 30 years, longer than feral mink or the edible dormouse (Glis glis), they should be added to the British mammal list. 34 species of mammals were recorded in the Bristol district in 1972. No polecats have been found since that reported last year. Several members sent in reports of unidentified bats seen in flight, these are useful and may help in locating roosts. Members are urged to note all mammals seen in 1973 and to especially record details of litters and any interesting observations. If any unusual 266 R. G. SYMES specimen is found it should be photographed, drawn or carefully preserved. REFERENCES Akande, M. 1972. The food of feral mink (Mustela vison) in Scotland. F. Kool., Lond. 167, 475-479. Corbet, G. B. 1969. The Identification of British Mammals. British Museum (Nat. Hist.), London. Corbet, G. B. 1971. Provisional distribution maps of British mammals. Mammal Rev. 1 (415), 95-142. Council for Nature. 1972. ‘Tuberculosis in badgers in Gloucester- shire. Habitat, 8, (4), 3. Day, M. G. and Linn, I. 1972. Notes on the food of feral mink Mustela vison in England and Wales. 7. —— — - ———= CS JO S081} SINISTIIQIOVIVYD “UMOYS JOU JIB sad¥sINS a}1[0]A}s pue SUIPp|q 2} O} a]Zue [[eUIS & Je SUIDA “WEISeIpP dy} JO suISIeUI dy} IvoU UOT}IOISIP IE[NSue SUIOs SI VI9Y J “9INBI 9Yy} Jo y1ed 1aMO] 24} SpIeMo} sdip YoTYM soRyIns BuIppoq dy} Jo vere paystjod ay} uIyIM posodxa se sainjonsys ay} JO s90¥1} ay} UsaMjoq ued UT sdIysuONeie1 34) smoys ‘YdeiZ0j0yd & UIOIJ UMBIP SEM YOTYM ‘UTeIZeIp oy], ‘JO stg ‘UOT ‘A10JVAIISQ— 94} IvIU aUO}SIUIT'T SNOJIJIUOQGIET) UT syUIOf pUe sUIZA ‘sauUOZ IedYS 3uL3w t Lnoav SINIOZ = SNISA NIHL——— SNIZA YOIKL = SNIZA NOT3HD3-N3 ONINIVLNOD S3NOZ YV3HS USC ysDg 1Q¥}UassIded & O} Ie2U S[OqUIAS Aq po2}¥OIPUI JIB saINjoNIys "131 & Upper: Lower: Plate IV A stylolitic bedding surface. The rule is marked in millimetres. Part of a shear zone containing en-échelon veins one of which is cut by the sinuous trace of a vein at a small angle to the bedding. A V, vein (dark) cuts two of the en-échelon veins and the vein at a small angle to the bedding. The rule is orientated parallel to the dip within the plane of the bedding. SHEAR ZONES AND VEINS 299 Bedding and Stylolitic Surfaces The bed dips 27° on a bearing of 161° and bears superficial scratches imposed by the sliding children. Some of the minor bed- ing surfaces within the layer are stylolitic (Plate 1v, upper) indicating that pressure solution has occurred. ‘There are also small stylolitic surfaces which are not parallel to the bedding. Pressure solution is one possible consequence of compression across a pre-existing surface and is an important mechanism of achieving bulk strain. Shear Zones Containing En-Echelon Zones Shear zones are approximately planar belts of finite width in which there has been strain accompanying the movement of the walls past each other. As Ramsay & Graham (1970) suggest they might be loosely termed ‘ductile faults’. One type of shear zone is characterised by an array of en-échelon or pinnate veins generally containing quartz or carbonate minerals. As may be inferred from Figure 2a one effect of shear along the margins of a zone is to generate a secondary stress system within the zone. The directions of the secondary maximum and minimum principal stresses are often at about 45° to the margins of the shear zone. An array of second-order extension veins commonly develops perpendicular to the direction of the secondary minimum stress and at 45° to the zone (Fig. 2b). Price (1970) has suggested that en- échelon extension veins are hydraulic fractures; a fracture mechan- ism which will be discussed later in the paper. In some shear zones en-échelon second-order Riedel Shears develop at 15° to the zone (Fig. 2b). En-échelon and pinnate veins may be used to determine the slip direction along a zone since they face against the sense of shear. At the Observatory locality eleven shear zones, each containing an array of en-échelon, or more rarely pinnate (part of array (b) ), carbonate veins, are visible within or near to the polished area of the bedding plane (Fig. 1 and Plates 1v and v). The width of arrays at their maximum ranges from 2 to 15 cm and they vary in length from 0°15 to 2-3 m. There are between 5 and 35 veins per array, the average being 17. Veins are generally between 1-5 and 24:0 cm in length and from less than 1 mm to about 10 mm in thickness. In the narrower zones most of the veins are t mm or less in thickness, and they are closely spaced. Viewed perpendicular to the bed, eight zones display dextral or right-handed shear, and three show sinistral or left-handed shear. Because the bed dips south at 27° the actual directions of slip, which are parallel to the lines of intersection between the zones and the H 300 PAUL L. HANCOCK Kc) Fig. 2(a). The relation between a primary shear couple (Sc) and the directions of the secondary maximum principal stress (o,”) and the secondary minimum principal stress (a,”). (b). En-échelon extension fractures (E) at 45° to a shear zone and en-échelon Riedel Shears (R) at 15° to a shear zone. (c). Angular segments in which categories of en-échelon fractures may lie with respect to the margins of a shear zone developed when the primary effective stresses are all compressive. Field 1—Displacement shears at 0° to 10° to the zone, Field 2—Riedel Shears at 10° to 20° to the zone, Field 3—Failure surfaces in the transition between shear and extension fractures at 20° to 40° to the zone, Field 4—Extension fractures at 40° to 50° to the zone. bedding, are oblique to the horizontal and vertical. Arrays (a) to (g) which are dextral and subparallel to each other make up shear zone set SZ,. Arrays (h) to (j) which are sinistral and subparallel to each other form shear zone set SZ,. Array (k) is dextral but subparallel to shear zone set SZ,. Not only do dextral zones outnumber sinistral zones but they are also generally longer and wider. Inspection of Figure 1 shows that, excepting array (k), the two sets of zones make up a conjugate system of shears orientated approximately perpen- dicular to the bed and enclosing an average shear angle of 42° (Plate 2, upper). In a rock mass containing conjugate shears it is possible to infer the directions and relative magnitudes of the principal stresses. The acute bisectrix between the conjugate shears gives the direction of the maximum principal stress (o,); the line of SHEAR ZONES AND VEINS 301 intersection between shears gives the intermediate principal stress (o,), and the obtuse bisectrix gives the direction of the minimum principal stress (a3). Thus for the shear zones at this locality o, and a3 were orientated parallel to the bed, although oblique to its strike and dip, and o, was orientated perpendicular to the bed. The plunge of co, inferred from conjugate shear zones which are orientated perpendicular to the limbs of a fold is commonly reported as being subparallel to the plunge of the fold. At this locality the angle of plunge of o, is about the same as that of the axis of the Westbury anticline, where it closes in the neighbourhood of Southmead. The directions of plunge of the fold axis and og are both towards the eastern sector although at a high angle to each other. _ At this locality the range of angles between planar en-échelon veins and the shear zones containing them is 20° to 46°, with maxima at about 30° amd 40°. Hancock (1972) has argued that second-order veins at 10°-20° to a zone occupy Riedel Shear directions, those at 40°—-50° occupy extension fractures and those between 20° and 40° belong to the category of surfaces transitional between shear and extension fractures (Fig. 2c). Relative to the secondary direction of o, within the zone, Riedel Shears develop at 25° to 35°, and veins occupying fractures in the transition be- tween shear and extension surfaces form at 5° to 25°. Extension fractures form at 85° to go° to the secondary direction of o3, that is subparallel to the secondary direction of o,. Four of the zones (arrays (d), (e), (f) and (j) ) contain some veins which have been deformed into gentle sigmoidal shapes as a con- sequence of continued simple shear after the veins were initiated (Fig. 3). The deformed veins like those reported from elsewhere eww ee =” 0 10cm. — heres ———— DIP DIRECTION OF ae BEDDING SURFACE = Fig. 3. Sketch from a photograph of a part of shear zone (f) showing gently deformed en-échelon veins. 302 PAUL L. HANCOCK show the greatest strain near to the median line of the zone. The sense of shear derived from their deformation accords with that inferred from their arrangement in the zones. Using curves given in Ramsay (1967, fig. 3-24) and Ramsay & Graham (1970, fig. 8) it is possible to calculate that the maximum shear strain (y) in the centre of zones containing noticeably deformed veins is generally about 1-5y, but that it rises to just over 2-Oy in one zone. In array (c) the central segment of one vein is subparallel to the zone; it may follow the displacement shear direction along that part of its length. Two veins in array (d) have short, pinnate, possibly third-order veins branching off them. As Figure 1 shows, although zones (d), (e) and (f) are separate arrays they lie at a small angle to each other within the limits of a broader belt. Many of the en-échelon veins are cut by longer veins belonging either to the group at small angles to the bedding or to sets V,, V, and V, at high angles to the bedding (Plates :v lower and v). Thus it is concluded that the shear zones and the en-échelon veins are the oldest structures exclusive of bedding at the locality. Long Veins The oldest group of long veins make small angles with the bedding and they are cut by members of the three sets of younger veins, which are all approximately perpendicular to the bedding. Although the oldest veins are roughly planar their traces, or ‘out- crops’, on the polished bedding surface are sinuous (Plate 1, lower). This sinuosity arises as a consequence of the bedding surface posses- sing a slight relief and the veins intersecting it at a small angle. For the same reason the ‘outcrops’ of the veins may be up to 3 cm in width despite the observation that few of the veins exceed 4 mm in thickness. The traces of the younger sets of veins at a high angle to the bedding are approximately straight although many are irregular in detail. Most of them can be allocated to one of three principal directions: V, being the most conspicuous set and V, and V3; thinner veins (Fig. 1). Some veins in set V, are 3 cm in thickness and extend as somewhat irregular traces on the bedding for more than 3 m. Other veins in the set are thinner, straighter and shorter. The traces of many V, veins pitch at about go° on the bedding, thus they are dip-veins. They are subparallel to nearby fissures some of which are filled by Mesozoic material. The red staining in some of the V, veins at this locality may be associated with the fissures. ‘The margins of the thick 3 ¥ 4 a § = a Plate V Conjugate shear zones containing en-échelon veins some of which are cut , but not offset, by a thick V, vein. Rule as in Plate 1, lower. A major V, vein containing brecciated limestone fragments and cutting some en-échelon veins in a shear zone. Rule as above. SHEAR ZONES AND VEINS 303 veins are commonly irregular, angular and branching, and some of the thicker veins contain brecciated limestone fragments up to 13 cm in maximum length (Plate v, lower). Most of the breccia fragments are entirely supported by the vein material and are not in contact with each other or the vein margins. Although the thick V, veins are conspicuous their development caused a lateral extension of less than 3 per cent in the bed. Thick V, veins cut members of all the other vein sets. Within the area of the polished bedding surface they were therefore the last veins to develop. As Plate v (upper) shows en-échelon veins in array (d) are cut by a major V, vein. Because, contrary to expectation, there are no offsets of the en-échelon veins across the V, vein, it is concluded that its opening involved not only dilatation but also a small component of sinistral shear which was sufficient to nullify the anticipated offsets. The traces on the bedding of veins in sets V, and V3, pitch at average angles of 41° from the east and 50° from the west respec- tively; the traces of V; veins being subparallel to shear zone set SZ,. V, and V, veins rarely exceed 5 mm in thickness and they do not contain brecciated limestone fragments. On two V, veins there are a few millimetres of dextral displacement. On a second bedding surface about 5 m south of the polished surface more veins are exposed. In addition to some of the sets already described there is a fourth set at a high angle to the bedding and intersecting it subparallel to the strike. One of these veins exceeds 10 cm in thickness and contains not only visible calcite crystals but also small grains of sulphide minerals. The V, and en-échelon veins, and possibly the V, and V, veins are interpreted as hydraulic fractures. A hydraulic fracture is a variety of extension fracture, that is a rupture initiated perpendicu- lar to the direction of the minimum principal stress. Hydraulic fracturing occurs when an abnormally high fluid pressure exceeds the value of the minimum stress by an amount equal to or greater than the tensile strength of the rock (Secor 1965, 1968; Phillips 1972; Price & Hancock 1972). The magnitude of the stress difference (o,-03) should also be less than four times the tensile strength of the rock so that the development of shear fractures is inhibited. The responsible fluid may be either in the pore spaces of the rock or it may be introduced via cracks into the rock mass from more distant sources. Veins in sets V,, V, and V3; possibly originated in the latter way; the fluid from which the carbonate was precipitated passing through the fracture and causing it to propagate. The en-échelon veins may have developed by hydraulic fracturing when there was a 304 PAUL L. HANCOCK fall in the value of the secondary minimum stress in a shear zone (Price 1970). The appearance of the limestone breccias in some of the thick V, veins is not unlike that in some Welsh mineral veins described by Phillips (1972). He attributes the development of the Welsh veins to the influence of high pressure fluids on fracture planes, and the brecciation to the hydraulic bursting of the wall rocks when there was a temporary drop in fluid pressure on the fracture, but not in the adjacent wall rocks. Joints A joint is a barren fracture along which there is no evidence of slip. Although at this locality relatively few of the surfaces are joints in this sense they can be allocated to one of three sets all of which are orientated approximately perpendicular to the bedding. The longest and most abundant surfaces make up set J, whose traces on the bedding pitch at an average angle of 40° from the western end of the strike of the bed and subparallel to the traces of veins in set V;. The traces on the bedding of sets J, and J, pitch on average at 67° and 75° respectively from the eastern end of the strike. Price’s (1959) view that joints form by the release of residual strain energy when rocks are uplifted into higher crustal zones after being compressed at greater depths is generally accepted. Joints are thus post-tectonic structures formed in brittle rocks, and are gener- ally among the youngest structures in a rock mass. Summary Structural History The following sequence of structural events is proposed to account for the fractures visible within the polished area of the bedding — surface. 1. Development of en-échelon veins in conjugate shear zone sets SZ, | and SZ, when the limestone was semi-ductile and being com- | pressed obliquely to the direction of its strike. 2. Formation of veins at small angles to the bedding. 3. Hydraulic fracturing and the development of vein sets V, and V3. 4. Emplacement of vein set V, and the local brecciation of brittle | limestone by hydraulic bursting in the neighbourhood of thick | | | I { to SHEAR ZONES AND VEINS 305 V, veins. There was a small component of shear in addition to dilatation on some of the V, veins. 5. Development of joint sets J,, J. and J, in very brittle limestone as a consequence of the release of residual strain energy attendant upon uplift. As is often the case when the structural history of an individual rock mass is analysed a general trend from early compression to later extension, and from early ductile to later brittle behaviour can be established. Acknowledgements I wish to thank Drs. W. J. Phillips and N. J. Price for their helpful comments and Heather Hollingworth for drawing the figures. References Hancock, P. L., 1972. The analysis of en-échelon veins. Geol. Mag., 109, 269-276. Phillips, W. J., 1972. Hydraulic fracturing and mineralisation. Jl geol. Soc. Lond., 128, 337-359. Price, N. J., 1959. Mechanics of jointing in rocks. Geol. Mag., 96, 149-167. Price, N. J., 1970. Laws of rock behaviour in the earth’s crust. In: W. H. Somerton (Ed.), Roch Mechanics—Theory and Practice Proc. 11th Symposium on Rock Mechanics, Soc. Min. Eng. AIME, New York, 3-23. Price, N. J. & P. L. Hancock, 1972. Development of fracture cleavage and kindred structures. Proc. 24th Internat. Geol. Congress, Montreal, Section 3, 584-592. Ramsay, J. G., 1967. Folding and fracturing of rocks. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 568 pp. Ramsay, J. G. & R. H. Graham, 1970. Strain variation in shear belts. Canad. 7. Earth Sci., 7, 786-813. Secor, D. T., 1965. Role of fluid pressure in jointing. Am. 7. Sci., 263, 633-646. 306 PAUL L. HANCOCK Secor, D. T., 1968. Mechanics of natural extension fracturing at depth in the earth’s crust. Geol. Surv. Canad., Pap. 68-52. Research in Tectonics, 3-48. BOOK REVIEW Snow and Storm on Exmoor By Jack HuRLEY 64 pages with one map, two line drawings and thirteen photographs. Exmoor Press; 50p. This slim little volume, a further ‘Microstudy’ in the series edited by Victor Bonham Carter, grew from the author’s desire to record Exmoor experiences in the great blizzard of 1963. It tells of the snowstorms of 1881, 1891, 1922, 1937 and 1963, the great storms of 1703 and 1900, and the floods of 1952 and the great frosts of 1940 and 1947. It is however more than a meteorological record; it is a descrip- tion of the reactions of the animals and people of Exmoor and its neighbourhood to these natural calamities. There are many tales of rescue, from the dragging overland of the Lynmouth lifeboat in 1899 to helicopter operations in 1963. One can read about the ad- ventures of Sir Edward Mountain, Bart., of Arthur Priddle, a bus inspector, of Ann Dapling, a pregnant housewife, of Dr. Kidder, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and of Winstanley, the builder of the first Eddystone Lighthouse. The style of the book which contains much interesting information reflects the author’s journalistic calling. R. BRADSHAW. \ oe a W Upper: Lower: Plate VI Channel lag deposit with clay ironstone fragments and Calamites stem casts. Width of outcrop is 2 m. Trough-cross stratification in channel sandstone. Rule is 15 cm in length. ) hE ePENNANT- SANDSTONE Odeo PO Rao ti A D By J. T. G. Steap anv B. P. J. WiILLIAMs (Departments of Geology, University College of Swansea and University of Bristol) Introduction In the area to the west of Bristol the main developments of the Upper Carboniferous Pennant Sanstone are found in the Nailsea Basin and the Clapton to East Clevedon area but north of these a small exposure of Pennant Sandstone crops out on the coast near Portishead (ST 475 776). Here the sandstone is faulted against the Carboniferous Limestone and is unconformably overlain by Triassic conglomerates and sandstones (Fig. 1). The fault is probably not of great magnitude since the Pennant Sandstone in this region un- conformably overlies the Lower Limestone Shale Group (‘K’ zone) of the Carboniferous Limestone Series (Kellaway and Welch, 1948, p- 27). Small inliers of Carboniferous Limestone are exposed within the Pennant Sandstone of the Clapton area. The exact stratigraphical level of the Portishead Pennant Sand- stone within the Upper Coal Measures is not known with any certainty because of the absence of any coal seams to act as marker horizons. On lithological grounds it appears to be either part of the Mangotsfield Group or the upper part of the Downend Group (Lower Pennant Measures). Deseription of Section The rocks described here are exposed from ST 4726 7767 to ST 4761 7752 comprising essentially a strike section with beds dipping mainly towards the north-east. Near the eastern end of the exposure the dip steepens to the vertical and at the signpost at the extreme eastern end the beds are overturned dipping south- westwards at 70°—80° (Fig. 1). The overturning of the strata is probably due to the proximity of the fault zone which throws the Pennant Sandstone against the Black Rock Group. A few isolated patches of ‘Triassic sandstone and conglomerate overlie the Pennant Sandstone and further west Triassic rocks are continuously exposed along the beach. 308 B. P. J. WILLIAMS SCALE IN METRES Le} 209 400 Se PORTISHEAD POINT WOODHILL BAY (WH RY, VITLE MAY ALLUVIUM TRIAS ems exis FAULT PENNANT SANDSTONE A2s oP ‘ DIP. OF OVERTURNED Po stack ROCK GROUP Ma 80 ae E244 Lower LIMESTONE SHALE GROUP [.-"."] otp RED SANDSTONE GEOLOGICAL SKETCH MAP OF THE PORTISHEAD. AREA tooo) BLACK ROCK ‘STEPS ROYAL — 8 LINE OF TRAVERSE GROUP ae ft . (SEE FIGURE 2) bade DIAGRAMATIC SKETCH MAP OF THE MEASURED SECTION. Fig. 1. Location of Pennant Sandstone section. The vertical log (Fig. 2) is composite and the lines of traverse are indicated on Figure 1. The sequence is composed of 18-20 m of medium to coarse grained sandstones of litharenite (Folk, 1968) composition. Petrographical analyses of the sandstones reveal an average quartz content of 57 per cent while feldspar and rock fragments total 10 and 33 per cent respectively. The rock fragments include metamorphic, sedimentary (mainly intraformational mud- stone fragments) and igneous types, and, after adjusting the rock fragment content to one hundred per cent, averaged 12, 70 and 18 per cent respectively. In some thin sections the matrix component of the sandstone averaged 7:7 per cent while the overall sorting value was -55 and skewness averaged + -22. The sandstones can, therefore, be generally classified as litharenites although some fall into Folks’ (1968) feldspathic litharenite category. PENNANT SANDSTONE 309 CURRENT GRAIN SIZE VECTORS = n =f Cn | x e © oO = 4 2° Cc @ D < m 2) AYVLNAWIGSS SAND c M F SILT CLAY A i : ~ FAULT m” aN SUMMARY OF PALAEOQCURRENT DATA (ROSE DIAGRAM BASED ON 20 MEASUREMENTS OF TROUGH CROSS STRATIFICATION ) LEGEND ‘PILLOW’ STRUCTURES SEDIMENTARY DEFORMATION FEATURE EROSION SURFACE (CHANNEL) MASSIVE BEDDING IRREGULAR BEDDING PLANE PARALLEL STRATIFICATION 4 an CALAMITES STEM CASTS EAA, TROUGH CROSS STRATIFICATION WEDGING £ CLAY IRONSTONE PEBBLES 7 er feet) §=MUDSTONE wa ae wa SANDSTONE COMPOSITE SEDIMENTOLOGICAL PROFILE OF THE PORTISHEAD PENNANT SANDSTONE Fig. 2. Vertical profile of the Portishead Pennant Sandstone. (Line of traverse | A-B is continuous, whereas C—D and E—F may or may not be continuous). 310 B. P. J. WILLIAMS Apart from a silty mudstone unit 30 cm in thickness near the base (Fig. 2) there are no argillaceous deposits. Most of the sandstones are trough-cross stratified though some plane-parallel stratification with primary current lineation on bedding surfaces is also present. Several scoured erosional surfaces occur followed by coarse sand- stones with abundant clay ironstone fragments, frequently seen weathered out on exposed surfaces, and Calamites stem casts. These facies types are typical of the Pennant Sandstone sequence in the South West Province. Occasional reddening due to haematite staining may be attributed to downward migration of iron oxides from the Triassic cover. EROSIONAL SEDIMENTARY FEATURES CHANNELLING Channelling phenomena displayed in this sequence are repre- sented by the erosional surfaces followed by coarse grained sandstone with clay ironstone lag deposits and stem casts (Plate v1, upper). Alluvial sediments are characteristically composed of sequences which fine upwards in grain size (Allen 1965). However this feature is not always demonstrable in the Lower Pennant Measures. Studies of rates of accretion on floodplains and migration of channels in present day rivers (Wolman and Leopold, 1957) show that the topstratum deposits are cut away by migrating channels and the bulk of the preserved sediment is the result of in-channel sedimenta- tion. This is true of the present sequence. Elsewhere in the Lower Pennant Measures of the South West Province, topstratum deposits do occasionally occur in association with similar sandstone sequences. The classical criterion of alluvial deposits is a U-shaped channel form but the lateral migration of channels often causes a planar or slightly undulating erosion surface with no indication of the original channel morphology. DEPOSITIONAL SEDIMENTARY FEATURES IRREGULAR BEDDING The coarser sandstones just above erosion surfaces are frequently irregularly bedded. They are associated with large clay ironstone clasts and plant stem casts, suggesting powerful flow conditions Plate VII Upper: Asymmetric load structure at the base of a slipped sandstone sheet. Note shear effect in the underlying mudstone. Rule is 15 cm in length. Lower: Concentric joints in overturned sandstone bed. Rule is 15 cm in length. > si PENNANT SANDSTONE 311 associated with the cutting of a new channel, probably associated with an upper flow regime situation (Kelling, 1968). TROUGA-CROSS STRATIFICATION This ubiquitous structure is almost tabular with shallow troughs cut into the underlying bed (Plate v1, lower). ‘Two or three sets may make up one unit, but quite commonly only one set is present. ‘The foresets are concave downward, downward tapering and asymp- totic. The inclination varies from 25° to 2° in ‘ac’ sections and grades into plane-parallel stratification. The cross stratification represents the internal structure of sand bars formed in the middle part of the lower flow regime (Harms and Fahnestock, 1965). These may have been point bars or longitudinal bars in a major alluvial channel. The average range in unit thick- ness is 60 cm indicating a depth range of 1-9 to 13:1 m (Allen 1963). The orientation of the cross stratification reveals the direction of flow at the time of deposition. In the Portishead section the main mode is directed towards the north-west but some vectors are at variance with this mode and these are here ascribed to meandering effects (Fig. 2). The implication is that the main direction of river flow was towards the north-west. This direction conforms to the regional palaeocurrent patterns in the Lower Pennant Measures of Bristol and Somerset, South Wales and the Forest of Dean (Kelling, 1969; Gayer and Stead, 1971). PLANE-PARALLEL STRATIFICATION In this type of stratification the laminae are not inclined to true bedding and a flaggy aspect results with bedding surfaces displaying elongate patches of low relief known as primary current lineation. This structure forms under conditions of stronger flow in the transition to the upper flow regime (Harms and Fahnestock 1965). DEFORMATIONAL SEDIMENTARY FEATURES These features, commonly called ‘slump’ phenomena, are particularly well seen in the lower end of the section at ST 4726 7767. Here penecontemporaneous sediment deformation has occurred in the lower part of a thick sandstone unit which overlies the 30 cm silty mudstone bed (Fig. 2). At one point, a load cast of an asym- metric pillow form may be observed at the base of a slipped sand- stone sheet (Plate vu, upper). The displacement of the mudstone and the development of cleavage in the upper part of the unit are 312 B. P. J. WILLIAMS probably a result of sliding towards the west-north-west and north. At this locality striking weathering effects associated with jointing and migration of iron oxide may be seen. OTHER FEATURES Near the eastern end of the section (ST 4752 7754) spectacular ‘pillow’-like structures are displayed in the Sandstone (Plate vu, lower). Consideration of the geometry of the trough-cross stratifica- tion in relation to the structural dip at this point indicates that the beds are locally overturned. ‘The ‘pillows’ are almost 1 m in diameter with concentric internal layers. With one exception they appear almost spherical in the exposed section. Two main theories have been advanced regarding the mode of origin of these features elsewhere. Firstly, that they are sand balls or pillows formed by vertical foundering of unconsolidated sediment shortly after deposition (cf. Kuenen, 1958; Hubert et al., 1972) and, secondly, that they represent concretions formed chemically in unconsolidated sediments as a result of increased pH shortly after deposition. The present study revealed that the ‘pillows’ are actually due to concentric joints of tectonic origin. The evidence for this conclusion is gathered from:— (a) the absence of a mudstone substrate to produce foundering required for the formation of sand pillows. (b) the completely concentric form of the pillows, as normally sand pillows show internal laminations which are synclinal in form (Kuenen, 1958). Frequently, also, the top side is truncated but this is not so here. (c) the apparent laminae are parallel throughout and, if they were deformed foresets, some tapering should be obvious. Plane-parallel lamination is unlikely to be associated with foundering because the compaction factor is very high. Cross stratification may produce very loose packing due to aval- anche effect (Allen, 1972). (d) the adjacent low angle cross stratified sandstone units display incipient concentric joints which can be seen cutting across the sedimentary layers. ‘These joints are discontinuous and are clearly an intermediate stage in the development of the ‘pillows’. PENNANT SANDSTONE 313 Conclusions The sedimentary features of the Pennant Sandstone of Portishead are outlined here for the first time. Apart from one enigmatic feature to which a tectonic origin is ascribed, the sedimentary structures indicate deposition of sediment in an alluvial regime. The Sandstone is essentially litharenite in composition and was deposited by rivers flowing towards the north west. This dispersal pattern is consistent with the palaeocurrent pattern for the Pennant Sandstone of the South West Province. References Allen, J. R. L., 1963. Asymmetrical ripple marks and the origin of water-laid cosets of cross-strata. Lpool Manchr Geol. 7., 3, 187- 236. Allen, J. R. L., 1965. Fining-upwards cycles in alluvial successions. Geol. F., 4, 229-246. Allen, J. R. L., 1972. Intensity of deposition from avalanches and the loose packing of avalanche deposits. Sedimentology, 18, 105-111. Folk, R. L., 1968. Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks. Hemphill’s, Austin ‘Texas. 170 pp. Gayer, R. A. and Stead, J. T. G., 1971. The Forest of Dean Coal and Iron-Ore Fields, in Geological Excursions in South Wales and the Forest of Dean. D. A. and M. G. Bassett, Editors, Cardiff, 20-36. Harms, J. C. and Fahnestock, R. K., 1965. Stratification, Bed Forms and Flow Phenomena (with an example from the Rio Grande), in Primary Sedimentary Structures and their Hydro- dynamic interpretation. S.E.P.M. Special Publn. No. 12., 84-115. Hubert, J. F., Butera, J. G. and Rice, R. F., 1972. Sedimentology of Upper Cretaceous Cody-Parkman Delta, Southwestern Powder River Basin, Wyoming. Bull. geol. Soc. America, 88, 1649- 1670. Kellaway, G. A. and Welch, F. B. A., 1948. Bristol and Gloucester District. British Regiona] Geology. H.M.S.O. 91 pp. Kelling, G., 1968. Patterns of sedimentation in Rhondda Beds of South Wales. Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol., 52, 2369-2386. 314 B. P. J. WILLIAMS Kuenen, Ph. H., 1958. Experiments in Geology. Trans. geol. Soc. Glasgow, 23, 1-28. Wolman, M. G. and Leopold, L. B., 1957. River flood plains: some observations on their formation. U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 282-C. BINOCULARS = [e880 reenka of QUALITY from PENTAX Ross - gettz Tae ’. SWIFT 7 ZEISS DIRECT TO YOU AT ENORMOUS DISCOUNTS Names like these represent the finest quality Binoculars obtain- able today. Available to you at up to 334% direct sale discount. FOR EXAMPLE: RETAIL PRICE OUR PRICE Audubon 8:5 x 44MK., I! ... £61-60 £39-90 Ross Stepruva 9 x 35 ae £63°34 £42-90 Carl Zeiss Dialyt 10 x 40B £164-23 £110-00 Swift Saratoga 8 x 40 MK. II £40-70 £28-49 Zeiss Jenoptem 8 x 30W £37-50 £24-71 B. 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(Tel: STD) 0277 221259 | would like to receive THIS COUPON CAN SAVE YOU UP TO ” w (=) c a al C-¢ = w c —J 4 = ec i) z = o 6G~O SO ef“ o) DEPT BN5 ee i ay —se come qos cee cee eee cee cee eee wee eee awe ose oom _ oes NAMES: Ex. coerce ADDRESS ..... \ ay, “ tere INDEX TO VOLUME XXXII PAGE Accounts, Treasurer’s .. °“. i - in 4, 92, 190 Affiliated Societies si ys ae ae of Seige A, Birds of Exmoor, by N. V. Allen—Review .. - - 9 Bird Report, Bristol .. ‘ : _ 14) 22,105, 225 Bond, T. E. T. eo 7: a: a: oF .. «285 Botany, Basel . ope Ae zi ae a ye iege E31 O Pe 2k Boyd, J.M. ...-. a es ne af .. 48, 140, 254 Bradshaw, R. .. uy iG oe ai ve Pr wt Rl Bridgwater, P. .. Pe acy a 73 Bristol Channel and Severn Bearer a ‘prehinary ree a the littoral fauna .. y ie af ine see BDO Bristol District, some gorges 6F sas en a ae) LO, Brown, D. H. st = a eee 207 Bupleurum lancifalium and Be voheuaafalane in Bristol and elsewhere .. oe Si oe a tay 20 Butler, M. she on ae bas Me ap peg LL Butterflies ” a Be ae ay pel AOTS3, 251 Caerwent Quarry, Late Pleistocene Mammal fauna from .. 84 Campbell, Dr. A. M.’G.—Obituary .. ahs me .. 196 Charterhouse, Lichen flora of bs me sn tp 209, Chase, B. J. ee ee an Ae ie 70, 161 Coleoptera (beetles) a 7 ae ae — et 3q Contents, Table of .. oy oe ge ae 1, 89, 187 Council, Members of .. af ms ie aes 2, 90, 188 Curtis, M: Ty... a ae ay: a ae 3 FOR Diptera (Insecta) of Steep Holm me As oui Draycott stone and marble .. s ic art So aS Editorial Notes .. ae 12 Exmoor Handbook and Gazetteer, by N. V. Allen Review .. 156 “Flap” trap for live-catching small mammals a a eG Bry, TD. R. es Ne 4 ee be $y Be 69 General Meetings, Accounts of ee RIG, os 8, 95, 193 Gibb, D. G.—Obituary aay Pe to Gledhill, D. 2. j«.: ak vi, i bi Sy 53 Gorges of the Bristol District a Si ‘ls Be ; 167 GrosesA NG oe. asp ces ~ “3 uP. 193, 251 Hancock, P. L. . se eo Handbook of Water Plants, by E. M. Bursche—Review “fi 57 Hawkins, A. B... oe om sts TOF Heslop, I.—Obituary .. si ie ae i o 10 Heteroptera... oe ies ies i Sects ey Hill-Cottingham, M. Pi ie a if = Whey 4) ZOU Iron Ore at Yate, Preliminary study of the occurrence of .. 163 Jayne AF... 2. - is as a Be eo Lepidoptera Notes, Bristol District .. 2 2g AO, Sa SET Lichen Flora of the lead mines at Charterhouse... 267 Littoral Fauna of the southern shore of the Bristol Channel, a preliminary survey of .. ae a sil Sear Locke, S. iD 84 Long Ashton Research Station, Heteroptera led at eA Lymes, R. iss its Wy: ie Ne sip Stik. U30 Mammal Report, Bristol sys ee st mY 141, 257 Mammal Survey, Bristol District ms = ee be 49 Marble, at Draycott .. Ay "5 ah . sia ane ts Members, List of sgh e Ac ie Srey 8 17, Moths .. ae iat = nee ty ol, Se cr Munro Smith, D. D. —Obituary i as ue be AG Obituaries: Campbell, Dr. A. M. G., 196; Gibb, D. G., 10 Heslop, I. R. P.,.10; Munro Smith, Dr. D. D., 149; Pearman, J. V., 11; Salter, C. B., 150; Sampson, Miss A. M., 11; Wakefield, Mrs. G. S., 11. Observatory, Clifton: Shearzones and veins in the Car- boniferous Limestone near ay: ue - 207 Odonata (Dragonflies) sue aie 140, 254 Old Red Sandstone—Lower imerone Shale transition at Portishead .. bss o's sp bg 4 be Tier Palmer, (G.P. ->. a a a she sf 58 Pearman, J. V. Oi eae an Ws * of We Td Pennant Sandstone of Portishead... ey 1 BOF, Pleistocene Mammal Fauna from Caerwent (Cheesy x 84. Poole KH. .. -. 47, 136,253 Portishead, a new exposure of the Ola Red Sandstone .. I51 Portishead, the Pennant Sandstone of 3 a els 307 Report of Botanical Section .. o: Be oe 5, 93, 191 3 Conservation Committee .. a a 194 as Council a a, ee S ae gi, 189 iy Entomological Beedan on 3 oe 3, 93, IQ! Pe Geological Section .. ae us ae 6, 94, 192 os Librarian... a2 a sk aa 3, QI, 189 bs Mammal Section .. ae 2 Bs 7,95, 193 - Ornithological Section _.... of ess 6, 94, 192 Salter, C. B.—Obituary - Ea Bi .. 150 Sampson, Miss A. M. i Soiinens zs pe ay: 3 II Savage, R. J. G. a < om 80 Severnside, Report of a turbo- drill Borehole! i ie i 69 Shear zones and veins in the Carboniferous Limestone near the Observatory, Clifton .. i oe as es es 0)7) Silcocks"T. B: .. e. ner aye 46 Small Peameaals, Hee elbpment eh the “flap” trap for live- catching" 5. ve ss on si a .. 291 smith, KG. Vv. = .. 157 Snow and storm on Exmoor, by I. Henle Review Ee .. 306 stead.) T. G. . a oe a as a 2+ 907 Steep Holm Trust St ae - ae 12 Steep Holm, Diptera (insecta) a te a ie oa Lay Steep Holm, Spider fauna of . Se: - a .. 70,161 Steep Holm, Vegetation of .. a - 73 Stonehouse and ined a Stratigraphy of .. 58 Symes, R.G. —.. fe nee Ar, 257 Tritylodontid incertae sedis... = a ie - 80 Wakefield, Mrs. G. S. aaa! x a <% a Vi Wallis, F. S. a oe iY i ~ e275 Wightman, J. A. - Be = i: i i= (255 Williams, B. P. J. bs es a oe oe 151, 307 Willis, A. J. oF) ibe is ses ar U353s (0751215 Yate, Preliminary study of the occurrence of Iron Ore at... —1163 ‘+ Paes eie les : + ; 28 Ea 4 ne + ate ¥ ae saolebase bos MO oul ic ) arte co ay oo ee oagbage fine uf Soa te ae Pee evan , 4 , ' ‘a ‘ * 74 ~ = + { pai @ ss a ® i 2am 4 A oa - : i e 8 “- oo \ _* 7 aie bt a hi Te: » * + feat Pe ’ = s - . * . x fa an) , . oe Se” = j i 4 : vee be * + + ow * \ e354 Ayana b ee sin 3 afc iis it ibebdn go 77 SatOF) emit zucriwlinod o = « . “oah” ee , aa nS aie ie 3B vet P * ic ‘ - iye ‘5 ous 4 ? eae ry \ ta | > ar a < af t ” 7 aoe ——at a> ‘ fers > 5 at ne fe Bet fey i > £. } J bre ; . i ha: on %, em gt = : p29 é Va Shae" foe os ‘ ms F ! guy Seis 4 ' ; i. 4 ' “ , a ring so AD i ' oe eae Son a, ben i 'y oie } : ' : hr a ate , ye a \ ry " - q Yay : t eo j ain 5 se Bid then Se , a < ‘ | Whe Stk f3 Par Paes ase fy vitKit a sea Le ee On ae ht ig Ds + # + + * . Ra % } wr 26 tA) hy ’ rh i i D4 er ¥ a ak 3 we Ft 7 me PT 0 : . ory 2 ie > > a ¢ . se x + » ae ® = Nw “ag 38,330 aor les po nsTEI00 3: OX se PRESIDENTS WILLIAM SANDERS HENRY E. FRIPP 36 GEORGE FORSTER BURDER .. JOHN BEDDOE Professor WILLIAM RAMSAY Rev. THOMAS HINCKS .. a Professor C. LLOYD MORGAN .. Professor ADOLPH LEIPNER Professor SYDNEY YOUNG - §. H. SWAYNE Professor C. LLOYD MORGAN at ARTHUR B. PROWSE Cc. K. RUDGE JAMES W. WHITE G. MUNRO SMITH Miss I. M. ROPER G. C. GRIFFITHS .. ERNEST (later Sir Ernest) H. COOK H. WOMERSLEY Professor O. V. DARBISHIRE JAMES RAFTER A. L. FLEMMING .. J. W. TUTCHER F. S. WALLIS fe Professor O. V. DARBISHIRE G. E. J. McMURTRIE Hs Professor MACGREGOR SKENE H. TETLEY Sir LEWIS L. FERMOR F. W. EVENS H. H. DAVIS Professor W. F. WHITTARD J. H. SAVORY R. BASSINDALE Miss M. H. ROGERS F. COLES PHILLIPS H. H. DAVIS R. J. G. SAVAGE A. F. DEVONSHIRE F. R. STERNE R. BRADSHAW S. M. TAYLOR Mrs. A. J. HOLLOWELL The dates given are those of election to office. 1862 MEMBERSHIP OF THE BRISTOL NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY Anyone interested in Natural History may apply to join the Society as a Full member. The annual subscription is £2-00. Members of the household of a Full Member may become members for an annual subscription of 75p. Persons residing outside a radius of twenty miles from the City Centre of Bristol qualify for a reduced annual subscription of £1. There are also Junior membership facilities for persons between the ages of 12 and 18 years at the reduced subscription of 50p. A prospectus giving fuller details of the privileges of the various classes of membership may be obtained from the Honorary Treasurer:— P. J. M. NETHERCOTT, 6 HAzELwoop Court, HazELwoop Roan, BRISTOL BSQ IPU PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRISTOL NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY The Society has stocks of back numbers of most annual parts of — the Proceedings which may be purchased at the price of £1 per part, postage extra. In addition, a Centenary History of the Bristol — Naturalists’ Society, 1862-1962, being Part IIIA of Proc., 1961. Price 25p, postage extra, is still available. Application should be — : made to the Honorary Librarian, Bristol Naturalists’ Society, City Museum, Bristol 8. 3 ® P 4 é AY \\ = 5064-2 VOLUME 33 PRICE ONE POUND 1973 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Bristol Naturalists’ Society EDITED By J. W. COWIE ASSISTED BY A COMMITTEE “Rerum cognoscere causas”—Virgi} PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY AT THE BURLEIGH PRESS, BRISTOL Issued 16th August, 1974 | Proc. Bristol Nat.Soc. | 33 | pp.i—104 | 1974 All matter for inclusion in the next issue of the Proceedings should be sent to:— Dr. J. W. Cow, DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL, QUEEN’s BUILDING, UNIvERsITY WALK, BRISTOL, BSS ITR NOT LATER THAN FEB. 28. Other instructions for authors appear on page I04. 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VOLUME 33, 1974 COW Te EON IS Page Council site See She es ore 2 Reports for 1973 or Council ee ee oe ee 3 - Conservation Committee a a 3) - Botanical Section ane ats ore 4 - Ornithological Section a ane 5 - Mammal Section Sue = zee 5 - Geological Section ss ote ae 6 - Entomological Section .. Ss ahs 6 - Account of the General Meetings “ 7 - General Field Meetings 7 - Librarian's Report <“ es 8 - Hon. Treasurer's Statement of Accounts oc 9 Obituaries - Macgregor Skene aes oe sie 11 ee F.W.Evens ee ee ee ee 13 377 H.H.Davis ee ee ee ee 14 Bristol Botany in 1973, by A.J.Willis ate a iky/ Lepidoptera Notes, Bristol District, 1973, by A.N.Grose & K.H.Poole 31 Bristol Bird Report, 1973 ofa : ats ate 35 Mammal Survey, Bristol District, 1973, by R.G.Symes ee 65 Photographs from the Society's Collection ae ate 70 Minerals from the Upper Evaporite horizon of the Keuper Marl at Yate, by M.T.Curtis a ae 3% fs) The Development and Morphology of the Spartina Marshes of North Somerset (South Avon), by R.W.G.Carter Ses ips) Temporary Drift Exposures on the Failand Ridge, by G.J.Colborne, D.D.Gilbertson and A.B.Hawkins A : 91 Book Review: "The Exmoor Handbook and Gazetteer" .. oe 98 The Proceedings of the Society, First Series, 1862-1865, by P.J.M.Nethercott até ane aes 99 Instructions to Contributors ie ave ae 104 NOTE - Authors alone are responsible for the accuracy of their articles. The Society is a signatory to the Fair Copying Declaration, details of which may be obtained from the Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London SWLY 5AG. ClO UN GP ee Waleonas President: Mrs.A.J.HOLLOWELL,M.A.,A.M.A. Past Presidents: HeS.WALLES Ph De DaSee Prof.F.COLES PHILLIPS,M.A.,Ph.D. Prof.M.SKENE,D.Sc.,F.L.S. R.J.G.SAVAGE B.Sc. Ph.D. .F lease F.W.EVENS A. F.DEVONSHIRE,M.A. ,Ph.D. H.H.DAVIS,M.B.O.U. F.R.STERNE R. BASSINDALE ,M.Sc. R. BRADSHAW ,M.Sc. ,Ph.D. Miss M.H. ROGERS,M.A. S.M.TAYLOR,B.Sc.,M.1.Mech.E. Vice-Presidents: Mrs.M.P.HILL-COTTINGHAM,B.Sc.4M.1.Ba0de J.W. COWIE ,BeSe. seh. Degm.Gsc- Hon. Treasurer: P.J.M.,NETHERCOTT Hon. Secre'tary:: Miss A, HECKELS!, Br Se. Hon. Auditor: AE SB REE ee Hon. Bulletin Secretary: D.W.3.FROST Hon’. Circulation Secretaries: Mrs and Mrs.J5G.PRENCE Chairman, Field Committee: H.G.HOCKEY Hon. Secretary, Field Committee: A.F.DEVONSHIRE,M.A.,Ph.D. Hon... Librarian; Miss J.M.SCHERR,B.A..,A.LLAx Hone HdLtons «Jaw COWLE. Bec. lie Da. G St. Hon. School's Liaison Officer: Mrs.A.J;HOLLOWELL MOA. SALMA. Chairman, Conservation Committee: K.T.BATTY OFFICERS OF SECTIONS: Botanical - President A.F.DEVONSHIRE ,M.A. Ph.D. Hon. Secretary Miss I.F. GRAVESTOCK,B.A. Entomological - President GeRs BESL Hon. Secretary G.R.BEST Geological - President T.HARRISON Hon. Secretary A.B.HAWKINS Junior ~ "President: J.BAINBRIDGE Hon. Secretary J.MORTON Hon. Membership Secretary Miss E.J.LENTON Mammal - President RG. SYMESISB yace Hon. Secretary Miss E.J.LENTON Ornithological - President J.D. RsVERNON, BSc Hon. Secretary R.L. BLAND OTHER MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: J.BARRETT Miss RoC. wei N.P.HUMPHRIS D.H.PEREGRINE PhD) A.F.JAYNE Mrs.S.C.SAVAGE Jin. WeMcOMiE Ph.D. G. SWEET Ex of ftcto the Professors of Botany, Geology and Zoology at the University of Bristol. RoE FP OLR F OF CIO UNG Eos 2 S73 3 The membership at the end of the year was 812 including 79 juniors. There are 10 affiliated societies. At the Annual General Meeting the Officers and Members of Council were elected with Mrs.A.Hollowell continuing as President. The. Annual Dinner was held in March in the Senior Common Room of the University with Mr.P.Thodaye of Bath University as the Guest Speaker on the subject of "Amusing Plants". In June the Society held a Wine and Cheese Party in the Orangery of Goldney House, Clifton; this was a well attended and successful event. The Society has revised and reprinted its prospectus. The illustration on the cover of this was kindly executed for the Society by Mrs.A.Gregory. A joint meeting was held with the Western Branch of the Institute of Biology, at which Mr.D.Cram spoke about his research into the fish population in seas off South West Africa. Over twenty-five local Societies were invited to a meeting on "The History and Natural History of Hedgerows' addressed by Dr.F.H.Perring of the N.E.R.C. Biological Records Centre. Following this Mr.P.Fowler of the University's Extra-mural Department asked the B.N.S. for help with a survey of the hedges of Row of Ashes Farm, near Butcombe in Somerset. A dozen members surveyed 34 miles of hedges, recording the numbers of shrub species in successive 30-yard lengths of hedge. Conclusions as to the ages of the hedges, based on this survey, will be compared with documen- tary evidence as a stage in assessing the reliability of this type of hedgerow survey in determining the ages of Somerset hedges. The initial arrangements for this survey were undertaken by the Botanical Section. The monthly bulletins have been assembled, folded and placed in their envelopes each month by Mr.A.P.Richards and Mr.C.S.Carlile. About one- third of the envelopes have then been delivered by hand by a team of volunteers: Mrs.G.A.Winn, Mrs.H.Elliot, Mrs.M.L.Prior, Mrs.R.C.Hulbert, Miss J.M. Dickson, Mr.R.Chadwick, Mr.C.Leake, Miss W. Taylor, Miss B.A. Rake, Mr.A.P.Richards and Miss M.E. Jervis. This work represents a considerable financial saving to the Society. With deep regret we announce the deaths of Mr.F.W.Evens, Prof.Mac- gregor Skene, Miss E.N. Stott and Mr.W.Upton during 1973, and of Mr. Heh..Davis on Jan.2, 1974. AUDREY HECKELS, Hon. Secretary REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE , POS The field survey of interesting habitats and semi-natural areas in South Gloucestershire has continued throughout the year, and it is hoped that maps and schedules will soon be available for the Gloucestershire irus t. Support was tiven to the local protest against rubbish tipping over a large area of marshy grassland at Lawrence Weston. Discussions took place with Councillors and with Corporation staff, and the proposals for tipping have been withdrawn. A successful request was made to the Nature Conser- vancy for Bodkin Hazel Wood in South Gloucestershire to be designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. An area of woodland and meadow land at Stockwood Vale was investigated on behalf of the local community group and support given to their proposal that the area should be retained as a natural amenity. Action was taken to prevent damage to Sorbt from contractors’ plant and equipment during road widening of the Portway in the Gorge section. Support was given to the call by the Cheddar Action Group for a public enquiry into the Butts Combe Lime Kiln proposals. Although the enquiry was not granted, fears of environmental damage have been largely allayed by the stringent conditions imposed. However, steps are being taken to watch for possible adverse effects on the flora when the plant is in operation. The best method of safeguarding the interests of nature conservation within the new Avon County has been a major concern of the Committee. A paper setting out various methods was circulated to The Somerset Trust, The Gloucestershire Trust, Bath Natural History Society, Bristol Orni- thological Club and the B.N.S. Council, and this formed the basis of discussion at a meeting convened for delegates from these bodies. Agree- ment was reached on the formation of a Joint Management Committee for Avon County representing The Gloucestershire Trust, The Somerset Trust and the B.N.S. K.T.BATTY, Chatrman REPORT OF BOTANICAL SECTION, L973 At the Annual General Meeting in the Botany Department Herbarium on 22nd January, 1973, the following were elected. President: Dr.A.F. Devonshire; Secretary & Treasurer: Miss I.F. Gravestock; Committee: Dr.T.E.T.Bond, Dr.D.H.Brown, Mrs.C.H.Cummins, Mrs.N.Vaughan Davies, Mr.C.H.Hurfurt, Mr.P.J.M.Nethercott, Dr.D.H.Peregrine and Dr.C.E.D. Smith. Following the General Lecture on "The History and Natural History of Hedgerows" by Dr.F.H.Perring, the Section organised two meetings at which members assisted Mr.P.Fowler of the University Extra-mural Department in a hedgerow survey on a Somerset farm (see Report of Council for further details). The following winter meetings were held:- Jan.22: Annual General Meeting and a Further Progress Report on the Somerset Flora, by Capt.R.G.B.Roe; also Members" Evening. Feb.26: Plant Hunting in Afghanistan, by Dr.T.F.Hewer. Mar.26: Flowers of the Antipodes, by Mrs.N.Vaughan Davies. Oct.22: Members' Evening, with transparencies. Nov.26: The Flora of South-west Spain, by Mr.C.H.Cummins. The following field excursions took place, under the leadership of those shown:- Mar.31: Frome Valley, for bryophytes. Dr.J.L.Dobbie. Apr.28: R.H.S. Gardens, Wisley, Ripley, Surrey. Dr.A.F.Devonshire. May 22: Stockwood Vale. Mr.C.H.Hurfurt. June 2: Cheddar Gorge. Mr.P.J.M.Nethercott. Gerantum sanguineum, Meconopsts cambrica, Hieractum schmidtit and Dianthus grattanopolttanus were flowering. Sedum forsteranum, Sorbus angltca, Thalictrum minus, Cochlearta officinalis and a colony of Ophtoglossum vulgatum away from the cliffs were also seen. June 12: Exploring the L.M.S. Dr.A.F.Devonshire. July 7: River Yeo, Congresbury area. Miss J. Cox. July 24: Bank of the Avon, upstream. Dr.D.H.Peregrine. Potentilla recta, Potamogeton nodosum and Cuseuta europaea were among the plants found. July 28: West Kington and Castle Combe. Mr.C.H.Cummins. Aug.1l: Saltford disused railway line. Miss I.F.Gravestock. Sept.1: Chew Valley area. Mr.P.J.M.Nethercott. Senecto fluvtattlis was still abundant by the R. Chew in one of two localities. Oct.14: Fungus Foray to Priddy. Mr.J.H.Kemp. I.F.GRAVESTOCK, Hon. Secretary REPORT OF ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION, 1973 At the 49th Annual General Meeting, Mr.J.D.R.Vernon was elected President in place of Mr.P.J.Chadwick, and Mr.R.L.Bland was elected Secretary in place of Mr.H.R.H.Lance. Miss R.C. Lee and Messrs. Ogilvie, Thomas and Bigger were re-elected to the Committee, and Messrs. Shepherd and Ogbourne and Mrs.J.Humphris were elected to it. Mr.S.M.Taylor was re-elected Assistant Secretary, and Mr.Billett, Auditor. Nine indoor meetings were held during the year, with an average attendance of 63. They included talks on the Birds of Finland, the Carmargue, and Gloucestershire, The Geese at Wexford Slobs, and (by the Director of the B.T.O.) on Enjoying Birdwatching. Thirteen field meetings were organised, a number of them to places in the immediate neighbourhood, others to Dawlish Warren, Portland Bill, Gwynne Fechan, and the Quantocks. The year saw a thorough survey of the Rookeries of North Somerset, a Kestrel month, and the beginnings of a survey of local Churchyards, and of a survey into the birds using gardens in towns. Members of the section also contributed to the B.T.0."s National Nest Record and Ringing Schemes, and to the Birds of Estuaries Enquiry. Preliminary work was begun on the Register of Ornithological Habitats. R.L.BLAND, Hon. Secretary REPORT OF MAMMAL SECTION, IESE) At the Annual General Meeting on 17th January, the following were re-elected: President: Mr.R.G.Symes; Secretary and Treasurer: Miss E.J. Lenton; Recorder: Mr.R.G.Symes; Committee members: Miss J.B. Webb, Messrs. Curber, Jayne, Rawlings and Walker and Dr.R.J.G.Savage. Six indoor meetings were held during the year:- Jan.17: Annual General Meeting and Presidential address: Facts and Fables about Rats and Mice. Feb.9: Muntjac, by Dr. Oliver Dansie. Mar.23: Members' Evening. Oct.23: Nature's Sketching Grounds, by Miss Rita Parsons. Nov.20: Mammal Workshop Dec.18: The Living Forest, filmed by Eric Ashby, was shown by courtesy of the BBC in place of Professor Mellanby's lectureson Moles, unfortunately cancelled owing to the transport situation. Field meetings were as follows:- Jan.21: Priddy Pools. Mr.R.G.Symes. Feb.4: Fox Spotting. Mr.F.H.Rawlings. Feb.25: Forest of Dean. Mr.A.F.Jayne. Mar.18: Magor Reserve. Miss E.J.Lenton. Apr.8: Goblin Combe. Mr.G.Walker. mapEsl3, 20,27, May 4, 11, 18: Badger Watches. Mr.A.F.Jayne. May 12: Cotswold Wildlife Park. Mr.F.H.Rawlings. June 24: Loxton. Miss J.B. Webb. July 14: Friary Wood. Mr.R.M.Curber. 6 Aug.5: Survey Meeting. Mr.R.G.Symes. Sept.9: Lancaut, Forest of Dean. Mr.A.F.Jayne. Oct.5-7: Pembrokeshire. Miss E.J. Lenton. Oct.21: Harvest Mouse Survey. Mr.S.Harris. Nov.25: Field meeting cancelled and members asked to record in their own localities, to save petrol. Dec.30: Bristol Mammals. Mr.R.H.Rawlings. Members are continuing to contribute to the Mammal Society's national distribution mapping scheme as well as to the Section's local one. They are also helping with the new national surveys on harvest mice and otters. E.J.LENTON, Hon. Secretary REPORT OF GEOLOGICAL SECTION, 1973. The Annual Business Meeting of the Section was held on 17 January, 1973, in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University. The following were elected: President, Mr.T.Harrison; Vice-President, Mr.A.E.Frey; Hon. Secretary, Dr.A.B.Hawkins; Hon. Field Secretary, Mr.D.Hamilton; Committee: Professor D.L. Dineley, Student President of the University Geology Society (both ex-offteto), Mrs.Hamilton, Mr.Hollingsworth, Dr.Insole, Miss Pounder, Mr.Thompson. The programme included:- Feb.22: ''Plate Tectonics in the Eastern Mediterranean Region", DrsP.L, Hancock. Mar.22: “The Old Red Sandstone of Pembrokeshire". Dr.B.P.J.Williams. Oct.25: "Mineralogy of the South Wales Coalfield". .,Dr: DedhaNakinen: Nov.29: "Tertiary Events in South West England". C.Bristow. The following field meetings took place:- May 12: Wick Quarries. Dr.JJW.Murray. June 17: The Malverns. Dr.D.L.Speedyman Sept.30: The North Crop of the South Wales Coalfield. Dr.B.P.J.Williams. A.B.HAWKINS, Hon. Secretary REPORT OF ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION, 1973. At the Annual Business Meeting of the Section on January 15 the following were elected: President and Secretary, G.R.Best. Due to the continued low numbers supporting the section, all active members to be eligible to serve on the Committee. The attendance at the Annual Exhibition was the best for many years. Meetings held throughout the year were as follows:- June 7: Spiders and Beetles, Leigh Woods.,,-C.R-Best. July 21: Purple Emperors, Blackmoor Copse. . A.N.Grose. Aug.25: Moth Trapping, Almondsbury. G.R.Best. Sept.29: Amateur Entomologists' Exhibition, London. (with Juniors). G.R. Best and. Dr. C.3h..D..Smitth Nov.6: Annual Exhibition. City Museum. G.R.BEST, Hon. Secretary ACCOUNT OF GENERAL MEETINGS ISS} 7 Our first meeting of the year on 18th January was an address by our President, Mrs.A.Hollowell, on 'Some Thoughts on Diversity and Abundance". Feb.1: Dr.F.H.Perring spoke on the "History and Natural History of Hedge- rows''. Research has shown that the age of hedgerows can be determined from their botanical composition; they are living archaeological documents. Maris Mr. Bryan Sage spoke on "Oil and Wildlife in Arctic Alaska". A film. “Ihe Living Tundra’, portrayed both the wildlife and physical aspects of the Arctic Tundra and showed how they are inter-related. Oct.4: Mr.Wilks, a Tree Surgeon and author of several books on Trees, spoke on the "History of Trees". Nov.7: Mr.J.H.Barrett, formerly the Director of the Pembrokeshire Country- side Unit, spoke on "The Coastal Scene". Mr.Barrett warned of the impact of man, the spread of concrete and the pollution of the seas. Dec.6: 'Members' Evening". Short accounts by members of their experiences in various parts of the world: Miss R. Lee on Island Holidays; Dr.A.F.Devonshire on a Story of a British Town; Miss E. Fleure on, a Holiday in Tunisia; Dr.R.J.G.Savage on A Trip in East Africa; Dr.J.W.Cowie on a Journey to Siberia; Dr.D.H.Peregrine on American National Parks, and Mr.M.Collins on Bats. AUDREY HECKELS, Hon. Secretary GENERAL FIELD MEETINGS 1973 Thirteen field meetings were held during the year and were generally well attended. Four midweek rambles were also held. A list of the field meetings with leaders, places visited, and an indication of the main points of interest is given below. Fuller details are kept in the records of the Field Committee. In the following list the leader is given first, followed by the area visited. Jan.14: H.G.Hockey. Wentwood Reservoir and Forest. A visit to the Reservoir for birds, and a walk over Gray Hill. Apr.20: H.G.Hockey. Will's Neck, Quantocks. A ridge walk along the top of the Quantocks. May 9: D.A.C.Cullen. Frome Valley. Fvening bird song near Snuff Mills. May 16: Miss E.J. Vinnicombe. Ashton Court. A Wednesday afternoon walk round the Nature Trail. May 19: A.F.Devonshire. Forest of Dean. A walk round part of the Wilderness Nature Trail near Mitcheldean. During the journey the old railway and tramway system of Dean was observed. June 3: Miss R.C. Lee. Gower. Oxwich Nature Reserve; a rich sand dune flora; seabirds. A 35 mile cliff walk to Rhossili; cliff flora, geological formations and seabirds. June 6: H.G.Hockey. Rowberrow Warren. An evening walk from Rowberrow Church to the top of the Warren. Plants, birds and caves. June 27: A.F.Devonshire. Bristol Forest. An afternoon walk round the Nature iieaiedl cut short by rain. July 1: Miss E.J. Vinnicombe. Braunton Burrows and Croyde Bay. At Braunton Burrows there was a rich sand dune flora, including Matthtola tneana and several orchids. At Croyde Bay, cliff flora and birds. July 17: Miss C. Groves. Backwell Hill and Bourton Combe. A Tuesday after- noon walk from Winford Turning on Bridgwater Road to the mouth of Bourton Combe. 8 July 19: Miss E.J. Lenton. Kennet & Avon Canal. A 4-mile evening walk along the canal from Bathampton to Dundas aqueduct. Water plants and bids: Aug.4: Miss C. Groves. Compton Acres and Old Sarum. Compton Acres is a remarkable garden near Bournemouth, comprising ten individual gardens of different styles. Old Sarum is the old site of Salisbury. Aug.15: Mr. & Mrs.G.H.Dudden. Purdown. An afternoon walk over Purdown, starting from Muller Road. Aug.18: R.M.Curber. Pennington Marshes. A walk along the sea wall to see waders and sea birds. Sept.16: D.Hamilton & Mrs.M.P.Hill-Cottingham. Ogmore-on-Sea and Dunraven. At both places the marine biology and geology were studied. Oct.28: H.G.Hockey. Broker's Wood, Westbury, Wilts. This wood has been converted into a woodland park with a lake. At the adjacent Round Wood there is some interesting forestry. Dec.2: Miss R.C. Lee. Durleigh Reservoir; wild fowl. A walk from Minehead to Dunster Beach; birds, including water rails. A.F.DEVONSHIRE, Hon. Fteld Secretary REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN, 1973. This year the Society has been able to add over twentyfive new books to its library, and has also been fortunate in receiving several donations of books and of back numbers of journals from members and friends. New accessions have been announced from time to time in the Bulletin of the Society. Over 220 loans have been issued to 44 different borrowers, and the library has been visited on 120 different occasions. Space continues to be the library's most pressing problem, brought to a head at the end of the year when the library committee received a request to remove our foreign journals from the Queen's Building Library of the University. The committee is considering alternative methods of storage for for some of these journals, and is reviewing the library's stock with renewed urgency. Thanks are due once more to the Librarian-in-charge of the Queen's Building Library, University of Bristol, and to the Director of Jehe City Museum, Bristol, for their continuing assistance. JENNIFER SCHERR, Hon. 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OLB TeU-xA RE ES Ll MACGREGOR SKENE With the death of Emeritus Professor Macgregor Skene, D.Sc., F.L.S., on 8 August 1973, the Bristol Naturalists' Society lost one of its longest standing members and Past Presidents, and the world of botany one of its most able scholars. Macgregor Skene was born in Aberdeen on 20 October 1889, the son of Alexander and Margaret Skene. He was educated at Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen, and graduated at the early age of 19 from the University of Aberdeen. Subsequently he studied at the Universities of Berlin, Strasbourg and Montpellier, travelling quite widely on the continent, notably in Germany and France. Here he was much influenced by the plants and types of vegetation which he saw as well as by the botanists whom he met. In particular, he came under the influence of Professor Ludwig Jost, of the University of Strasbourg, whom he much ‘respected. Among the plant conmunities which attracted his attention on the continent was the beech forest in the Cevennes, a topic on which he contributed a short article to the first volume of the Journal of Eeology (1913). After holding a lectureship in Rotany in the University of Aberdeen, Dr.Skene was appointed in 1925 as Senior lecturer, and later Reader, in the Department of Botany of the University of Bristol. He served under the late Professor 0.V. Darbishire, himself a prominent figure in the Bristol Naturalists' Society. In 1935, Macgregor Skene Succeeded Professor Darbishire as Melville Wills Professor of Botany, a position which he held until his retirement in 1955. It was while he was a lecturer in Plant Physiology at the University of Aberdeen that Macgregor Skene wrote his magnum opus, now a Classic work, The Biology of Flowering Plants, first published in 1924. A measure of the impact and significance of this book is that it went to four impressicmms, the last in 1947. Professor P.W. Brian Beeeonely referred to this book (Btologtst, 1973, Vol.20, p.186) as "the best and most imaginative introduction to botany ever written’. Despite enormous advances in botany in recent decades, relatively little in this book is dated; rather is its style, its approach and its incisive treatment a model for present-day writers. The appealing presentation of so many important biological features of flowering plants must have attracted many to the subject. IW MACGREGOR SKENE Macgregor Skene did much to popularize botany and to present the subject clearly. Of note in this connection is his book School Botany, first published in 1930, and A Flower Book for the Pocket, a well-known Flora with colour illustrations, published in 1935. He had a great love of flowers of the hedgerows, and in later life was much attrached to the hedgerows beside the canals of the Midlands. His research publications, although not numerous, reflect his wide interests in biology and plant physiology. Early work related to the influence of pH and calcium level mm the growth of species of Sphagnum, While among topics covered much later was the permeability of the cullulose cell wall involving studies on discs of plant tissue. As a teacher he had few equals. He coupled the gift of great clarity of presentation with the much rarer skill of terminating each lecture at a particularly interesting point; in this way the interest of the class was strongly held from lecture to lecture. Professor Skene did much to develop the Department of Botany at the University of Bristol, me of the members of staff whom he was proud to attract being Lord Ashby. Professor Skene played a very large part in getting the new building for Botany and Zoology, which was completed shortly before the war, and he saw the Department of Botany grow to be a sizeable and vigorous one. After the war he took a leading part in the creation of the new Veterinary School in the University, and was Dean of the Faculty of Science from 1941-45. He was President of the Botanical Section of the B.N.S. from 1935 for a number of years, and was a well-known speaker to that Section, especially before and during the war. As President of the Society fram 1938-41, he did much to keep the Society active at that difficult time. He was elected an Honorary Member in 1966. Shortly before the war he collaborated in a survey of Steep Holm, the results of which are pub- lished in the Proceedings for 1938 (his contribution deals with the botany of the island, reference being made to the striking abundance of Alexanders there). An earlier paper, conceming graft hybrids, was included in the Proceedings for 1931. Macgregor Skene was married in 1915 to Agnes Wallace Hamilton; their two sons, Alan and Angus, were brought up in Bristol. In later years, when visiting Alan in Orkney, he delighted in finding the endemic MACGREGOR SKENE Primula scottca in local abundance. Some time after the death of his wife in 1962, Professor Skene moved to Birmingham where he lived until the end of his life near to Angus and his family. He was especially proud of his seven grandchildren. Professor Skene had wide interests which included music, county cricket, cooking (including making Rowan jelly) and gardening. In his garden at Lawrence Grove, Bristol, he grew a range of interesting plants, including many attractive species of Gerantum and Alltum and some unusual rock plants. He retained his enthusiasm for gardening until the end of his life, working daily in the garden less than a month before his death at the age of 83. As a person Macgregor Skene was greatly respected for his integrity, directness, good judgment and his ability to get rapidly to the heart of a matter. For these characteristics, his erudition and his expertise as a botanist, he will long be remembered with affection by his former students, colleagues and friends. A.J.WILLIS F.W. EVENS | Frederick William Evens died on Dec.28, 1973 at the age of 94. He was born in Forest Gate, Essex, and went to Saffron Walden School where he already took an interest in botany. He was a lifelong member of the Society of Friends, and at the Wanstead Meeting met the sisters who had written a monograph of the Mycetozoa. From this time dates his lifelong interest in this group; his collection of more than 60 species covers the period 1896-1961. He joined the Bristol Naturalists' Society in 1920, a year after he came to Bristol. In 1923 he became a member of Council and in 1925 gave his first lecture to the Society. He became Treasurer in 1934, at a time when a reorganisation of the basis of members' subscriptions Made much extra work, and held the office until 1938. Fram 1941-58 he was the Society's Auditor. In 1945 he became President of the Field Section (as it then was) and when in 1947 it became the Field Committee, he was Chairman until 1952. The President of the Botanical Section, Professor Skene could not attend meetings regularly, so Mr.Evens acted as Chairman of the Section from 1944-54. In 1948 and 1949 he was President of the Society. 13 14 F.W.EVENS From 1937-57 he led fourteen general field meetings, and four- teen field meetings for the botanical section. He also gave three lectures to the whole Society and five to the Botanical Section. His last lecture to the Section (in 1958), as his first to the Society, was on the Mycetozoa. In 1960 he was made an honorary member of the Society. As well as the mycetozoa he was particularly interested in mosses, in seeds, and in microscopy in general. He had a collection mounted on Slides of the seeds of 220 British plants. Because of his advanced age, he had not been able to take an active part in the Society for some years, so he will not be known to many of the present members, but all older members of the Society will remember him with affection. In particular they will remember the Field Meetings when he was present, whether leading or not. He would not be content with identifying a plant, but would explain the. difference between the arrangement of bee and wasp pollinated flowers or tell some interesting country legend about the plant. A. F. DEVONSHIRE H.H.DAVIS By the death of H.H.Davis on January 2, 1974, the Society lost a member who had given it great service, had held its highest office and received its greatest honour. Howard Henry Davis was born in 1898 at the family farm, Little Stoke, Patchway. After his education at Weston-super-Mare and then at Wycliffe College, Stonehouse, he remained at Little Stoke, which he farmed himself from 1931, the year of his marriage. He had been interested in bird-life since boyhood, and was already an accurate and accomplished observer. Now, with his wife's encouragement, he embarked on a broader and more serious study of ornithology. He read widely, and began to form what became a notable ornithological library. He and his wife joined the Society in 1932, as soon as they became aware of its existence. Thus started a friendship with Humphrey Tetley, Curator of Zoology at the City Museum and at that time_ Secretary of the Society's Omithological Section, which had lasting results. Howard Davis was soon active in the Omithological Section, giving talks in 1933 on "The Birds of Little Stoke" and in 1934 on "Some interesting | Waders of the Bristol District", the first two of many lectures. Encouraged | HoH. DAVIS PP by Tetley, he wrote his first paper, "Waders in the Bristol District", which appeared in the Proceedings for 1935. In the next year's Proceedings, again with Tetley's encouragement, he described a selection of his own and others' observations under the title, "Omithological Notes, Bristol District, 1936". Thereafter the Notes appeared annually, growing after the war in scope and extent. P.J.Chadwick joined him as co-author in 1952, and in 1955 the Notes became the Bristol Bird Report, produced by a small committee on which he remained a working member for the rest of his life. From January 1937 he was Hon. Secretary of the Ornithological Section for seventeen years. Besides the annual Notes, and occasional publications elsewhere, he wrote two more papers for the Proceedings: “Studies on the Biology of the Bristol Channel XV - The Severm Geese" (1943), written with H.Tetley, and "A Revised List of the Birds of the Bristol District" (1947). This latter was a major piece of scholarship, involving the synthesis of the 48 years' observations accumulated since the previous revision, as well as much deep research into the provenance of old specimens and records, which with typical thoroughness he documented in MS for his successors. Since 1947 some species have changed in status or abundance, and many new vagrants have been recorded, so the Revised List is no longer camprehen- Sive; but it is and will remain a sure foundation for all future work. Howard Davis became President of the Ormithological Section for a three- year term in 1954. He had been a Vice-President of the Society in 1946 and 1947, and was elected its President for 1950 and 1951 and again for 1962, the Centenary Year. He was made an Honorary Life Member in 1964. For many years he served on the Publications and Library Committee. In 1935 he had joined the Ormithological Section of the Somerset Archaeo- logical and Natural History Society and succeeded Tetley, on the latter's death in 1944, as a member of its Editorial Committee. He retained this office to the end of his life; he was elected a Vice-President of the Sec- tion in 1950 and made an Honorary Life Member in 1967. He had been elected a member of the British Omithologists' Union in 1935 and served on its Council from 1942 to 1952. He served periods too on the Councils of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and of the British Trust for Ormithology, and was Regional Representative of the latter for the Bristol District and for Somerset for over twenty years. These national interests, and his extensive travels in Britain and overseas in search of birds, brought him a wide circle of friends. Many eminent ornithologists stayed at Little Stoke, and incidentally lectured to the Section; but his 16 H.H.DAVIS friendship and hospitality extended also to the less eminent, and he was always ready to help or advise those who sought his aid. One visit had a remarkable outcome. Peter Scott, who had lectured to the Ormithological Section in 1937, was invited by Howard Davis to study the geese of his beloved Severn shore. In December 1945 they found seven spe- cies present at the New Grounds, including the second and third individual Lesser Whitefronts to be recorded in Britain. In a memorial address at Almondsbury Church, Sir Peter Scott described how on that momentous day he chose Slimbridge as the ideal site for the bird organisation he had long envisaged; how a year later Howard Davis was one of five people who met at the New Grounds to set up the Wildfowl Trust, and how as Council member and later as Trustee he had served it for the next twenty-eight years. His abundant energy enabled him to do all this while running a large and successful farm, and to do it well - for he gave of his best in all that he undertook - yet still left time for more. As a whole naturalist he was much concerned about wild life and its future. For many years he was a member of the Fauna Preservation Society, and he was a founder- and Council-member of both the Gloucestershire and the Somerset Trusts for Nature Conservation. In 1959, when Little Stoke was scheduled for housing development, he retired to the Failand ridge, above the Gordano Valley, where he delighted in his woodland, his garden and the pleasant room built to house his books. During his years here, he became afflicted with Parkinson's Disease, a fate | especially cruel to one who had been so active. He bore increasing disabil- ity with fortitude, and when he could no longer attend public meetings he continued his editorial and other cammittee work. In 1968, no longer able properly to tend his woods and land, he moved to Winscombe and then, in September 1973, to a new flat in Bristol, overlooking the Avon Gorge. Here, on December 16, he took part in an editorial meeting, his last formal act | for the Society and for ormithology. He died suddenly, so being spared the final stages of his illness. His wife, who had made him four comfortable hames in turn and had cared for him devotedly during his invalid years, sur- vives him with their only sqm. Howard Davis will be remembered by his friends for his great knowledge, wisdom and kindness. To those who worked with him in the field or round the table, his thoroughness, absolute integrity and hatred of the slipshod set an example that will not soon be forgotten. S.M. TAYLOR BaRws. Ss 1T..0O L BOTAN Y IN eo 2S BY A.J. WILLIS (Department of Botany, University of Sheffield) The year 1973 was, overall, very close to the average as regards temperature and hours of sunshine, but was very Much drier than usual. The annual rainfall was only 70. 8% of the average, records from Long Ashton Research Station Showing.a total .for the year of 653.2 mm:of rain. January, February and March were distinctly dry months, but the following three months were wetter than average, and flower- ing times for most species were not noticeably different from normal. However, one ground frost was recorded in June. The summer was nevertheless one of generally good, Warm and sunny weather, despite above average rainfall except during August which was a dry month. The year ended with very low rainfall in October, November and December, the last two months being sunny with above average temper- atures. Continuing field work, on the basis of 10 km squares for Flora purposes; has yielded a substantial tally of records, helping to give a more comprehensive account of the distribution of many of the less frequent species. There is clear evidence of the spread of certain species; for example, observers report the striking continued extension and increase in abundance of Verontca filtformis. The spread of Impatiens glandulifera is also still continu- ing, a further station is reported for I. capensts and several localities are recorded this year in which Cicerbita macrophylla has become established. Of special interest is the discovery of' some of the rarer native species in new stations. The find of Eleocharis uniglumis at Lawrence Weston gives a second record for v.c. 34, Draba muralis is reported from 17 Lasborough, Stlene nocttflora from near Radford, Myrtiophyllum alterniflorum from near Priddy, and Polygonum mite from near Wedmore. The discovery of Eptpactts leptochila at Hursley Hill adds a second station for this rare orchid for North Somerset, and the record of Centaurium capitatum 18 A.J. WILLIS from Wavering Down makes a most welcome addition to the only previously known station:.o£ Crook Pédk, Pory thtcweamen in “the Bristodsneqaon: Formerly unrecorded in the entire area is Ttlta platyphyllos, now known to be represented by a small group of sizeable trees in an undisturbed tpaseses Leigh Woods. Noteworthy is the~general similarity of the Site to localities in the Wye valley where this lime occurs. The Leigh Woods station is a most important extension of its distribution and this species a most “sign rirecanteacdi.— ion. to, thestlora of Somerset. A study of the ferns in Gloucestershire in connection with new distribution maps of Ptéridophytatenestne Anrvas +o; the British Flora has extended knowledge o£) the "dister sues on of members of the Polypodium vulgare aggregate. P. tnter- jectum was found to be widespread in Gloucestershire, appear- ing commoner than P. vulgare. Critical studies Yon sry un captllare and its relations has resulted in taxonomic revis- ion of this group of mosses and re-naming of some specimens from North Somerset. With the deaths of Professor Macgregor Skene in August 1973 and of F.W. Evens in late December 1973, the Society and Botanical Section has lost two extremely long-standing Members, both of whom acted as Presidents of the Society. Obituaries are given elsewhere in these Proceedings. Professor Skene, who occupied the Melville Wills, Chaiz ct Botany in the..University of Bristol from 1935 terl3s5 7 was President of :the Botanical Section for ainumberNoteay cara, and a contributor to these Proceedings. F.W. Evens served as Chairman of the Botanical Section for a long period amd took a special and very keen interesit,in Mycetozed. Names of contributors associated with several records are abbreviated thus: J. Ao, Mrs. J! sAppleyard ITek.G., Miss Ths. tGraves tick JE. Bilis die fio bu t On: GwH. . GCG. ~Hendry ClHaG. .. Co Hs Cummins P.J.M.N., Bod. Me Nethercome AVEAD 37 Dr so Asbo Devenshine R.G.B.R., Capit ) R.G VB Roles shai G: Gloucestershire S: Somerset BRISTOL BOTANY Polysttchum settferum (Forsk.) Woynar Haw Wood, Hallen, G; and hedgerow, Buckland Dinham, near Frome, S, Ue BacG. Polypodium tntergectum Shivas Bagpath Church Wall, G, Migs. MarMack, det: Dr. A.Cs Jermy..jan article in the Journal of the North Gloucestershtre Naturalists' woechetyy Vol.24,/No.2,.February-1973,-pp.° 163-166, Gives information on ferns in Gloucestershire and includes a number of new records). Also abundant in hedgerow with Polypodtum vulgare L., Windsor Hill, Sirepton’ Mailet,-S, £.F.G.5. det. J.A. Crabbe. Some notes concerning the Polypodtum vulgare aggregate are Given in Bristol Botany tin 1962. Aconitum napellus L. sensu lato By pond, Charterhouse MMe eS; Sy de Ass a like Nymphaed alba Law, also in the pond, probably an outcast. Ranuneulus lingua L. Pong, near Hinton Charterhouse, Si, Mr. “brown; Monkton Combe School (per &.G.B.R.). Aqutlegia vulgaris L. Woodland by stream between Welton anid - Radsitock, S, dA. ehaltetrum flavum L. By the River Frome, near Lullington, Ss, Fite G.B.R. Borydalits elaviculata (L.) DC. Near the top of St. Sivephen s Hill, near Temple Cloud, S, P.A..Hickmott (WeretsGs Pele ):. In Bristol Botany in l972 the duscevery, OF this plant..on Highbury Hill was reported and reference was made to its disappearance from St. Stephen's Hill. The present interesting find Bene@outo she! top.of St: Stephen's Hibi, and not to the station near to the bottom reported by White (Flora, pp. 138-9) and searched unsuccessfully by Gijepr ir) Its ing 20 A.J. WILLIS Diplotaxve tenutvfoltra{L.\) DC. Disused railway track near Shapwick station, S, #.G.B.R. Draba muralts L. Several plants on churchyard wall, Lasborough, near Tetbury, G, where known for several decades by Miss Huntley (Journal of the North Gloucestershire Naturalists! Soctety, Vol.24, No.7, ly. | VO Shee pre 2a.) This species is rare in District 5 of Gloucestershire. Rortppa sylvestrts (L,) Bess. Near Ladye Bay, Clevedon, Si, | Cat. Crs Rk. tslandtca (Oeder) Borbas Damp waste ground near Radstock, Spyies. Re ampnibta' (L.) “Bess. By the River Avon near Conham Rerry, (Sip wi eG. 60h. The species occurs all along the Avon to the Wiltshire border and beyond, but the present record gives the furthest downstream locality. Arabtdopsts thaliana (L.) Heynh. On ballast, disused railway line, Salttord,-S, f.F.G. Reseda lutea L. One plant, near Castle Hill, Clevedon, Ss, (On, H. Gx Hypertcum humtifusum L. Several places near Priddy,S, d.A. Stlene noctiflora L. Neglected field, south of Radford, S, d.A. Spergularta marina (L.) Griseb. Beach, Portishead, S, I.F.G. Chenopodium fictfoltum sm. Mount Skitham, Hallen, G, I.F.G. Tilta platyphyllos Scop. Leigh Woods, S, P.d.M.N. (conf. Professor C.D. Pigott and L.F.H. Merton). “Bive, tzees are growing together with Z. cordata in an undisturbed BRISTOL BOTANY rocky area on the slopes of the Avon Gorge. The Sparse associated flora includes Hedera helix Tsfe-cy Ligustrum vulgare L., Merecurtalts perennis L., Sorbus spp., Corylus avellana L. and Dryopteris pseudomas (Wollaston) Holub & Pouzar. The ieegeee of the trees have boles of about 48 inches in circumference at 5 ft, and are probably more than 100 years old. The trees may very well be native and, if so, Leigh Woods isthe -only recorded, locality in the Bristol district or Somerset where the species is indigenous. Lt occurs as a native in a number of woods near Chepstow and elsewhere higher up the Wye Valley. Tilta cordata Mill. One tree, Woodhill, Portishead, S, ET ieee G. Malva moschata L. Roadside verge, including pink and white forms, Falfield, G, G.H.3;3 also roadside verge, Wraxall, 4S; 7. F.B. M. neglecta Wallr. Near Bast Huntspill.,"S)-7.A. Lavatera arborea L. Four plants on imported soil, road- Si:denwerge.,. Tytherington, G, K.M. Brown, in 1972. Gerantum pyrenateum Burm. f. Flourishing on roadside ver Wraxall, S, J.F.B. G. pustltum L. Roadside near Clevedon Court, S, d.A. Coon fi.) 8. G.Bs Re). Rhammus cathartticus L. Presitow Wood, Wrington, S,; A.f.D. Genveta tincetorta L. Plateau adjoining Haw Wood, Hallen, GerakeG. anda Mrs: M.A. SiLCOCKS: Medicago arabica (L.) Huds. EVppiatits acheddar, 2S::,ucl. BG. ge, Trifoltum striatum L. Pietidseast of Banwell wood, S., P.G.” Draztu. Old records for the bird*s-nest orchid are given tor, Welgh Weeds 11m White's Flora (p. 567), and of a Singles plant anes G4 (Bristol Botany tn 1964). Wolffta arrhiga’ (he yoHork. vex >Wimm. Pond att U phi hss Misis ub. Webb “(per DikeGiayc. Eleocharis unig Lummis” (Link) “Schutt. In wet flush across a marshy, somewhat polluted field, Lawrence Weston, Go Wary G.” Vdet. Dre 3S Me Watters: This) as) ‘themsecond record for yo: 34; the’ first) report “of ews. rea mr eon West Gloucestershire being from a marsh below Yate Rocks Bristol Botany tn 1956). Carex lepidocarpa Tausch With Setrpus setaceus L., bed of abandoned canal near Barrow Hill (near Buckland Dinh am): 7. SCR G Baek. Ge strtgosa Huds. Wet lane near Chewton Wood, between Litton and Farrington Gurney), 4S) auG 2) Bingen, edge of ditch near Axbridge reservoir, S, d.A. Cum Dae eceecens iis Field near Towerhead Brook, north of Banwell, S, d.A. BRISTOL BOTANY Carex disticha Huds. Marshy ground near Charterhouse Mineries, S, J.A. C. divulsa Stokes Chumechyard,. bullingtom, Ss, of. FaGs Moltnta caerulea (L.) Moench Damp field near Holcombe omid Church, -S-,¢H.G. B.R. This record represents an isolated occurrence of this grass away from its main areas on Mendip which are on Old Red Sandstone. Glycerta declinata Bréb. With Equtsetum palustre L. and iviglocntm- patustris L., in\;field, Langford, S, Pedi. Mie N. x Festuloltum ltoltaceum (Huds.) P. Fourn. Field, White Pecuymmear .chil.compton, S, J.4. (contw"“HwG.B.H.). Agropyron cantnum (L.) Beauv. Meadow, Stockwood, near Betstols: Sy 2. 3G. Elymus arenarius L. A’ further station to. that reported faste..yeiar ton the Berrow dunes, S, d.A. Hordeum marinum Huds. On earthen river walls by the Raver Yeo, Kingston Seymour; S, P.d.M.N. Calamagrostts eptgejos (L.) Roth By brook near East DUNary 7 (5S 00 A. Gastriditum ventrtcosum (Gouan) Schinz & Thell. Omelty: 2a Solmcary plant i noted on "Clifton Down, G) Ped .eMel es; this grass now being very rare in the Avon Gorge. AGGHNS. “Cardarta draba (L.) Desv. North .of lbangtord, J.A. Erystmum chetranthoides L. Mount Skitham, Hallen, G, Impattens capensis Meerb. A small colony established Ss, Mie et Ca 28 A.J. WILLIS opposite Sneyd Park, Bristol, on the left bank of the Avon, S, P.d.M.N. This colony is further downstream than the one noted for the ‘towpath under Leigh Woods' in Bristol Botany in 1982. Impatiens glandulifera Royle By the Wellow Brook at Radstock, S, A.G.B.R. Medicago arborea L. Wain's Hill, Clevedon Cliffs, Ss, Mrs. H.R.H. Lanee and I.F.G. (conf. at Kew). Lathyrus tuberosus L. A large patch on abandoned railway track towards Newbridge, Bath, S, P.J.M.N. Tie UAC gO LU Solas Naturalized along disused railway, south of Brent Knoll station, S, d.A. Potenttlla recta L. A single plant was reported in Bristol Botany tn 1971, but in 1973 several plants were seen over a wide area along rough ground between Conham and Hanham, G, P.J.M.N. Philadelphus coronartus L. Naturalized by stream in field near Welton, near Midsomer Norton, S, d.A. Bupleurum lanectfolitum Hornen. Attention is drawn to the characters by which B. laneifoltum and B. rotundifolium L. may be distinguished in an article (Bupleurum Lanetfoltum Hornem. and B. rotundifoltum L. (Umbelliferae) in Bristol and elsewhere) by Dr. T.E.T. Bond in these Procéedings..for 1972 (Vol. .32, Part:.3;° pp. 285,90) The specimen reported in Bristol Botany for 1970 (p. 16) as B. rotundifolia from Beryl, Wells, S, has been re- examined by R.G.B.R. and found to be B. lanetfoltum. The latter species has also been reported (per #.G.B.R.) from gardens at Charlcombe, S (1965) and Nettlebridge, S (1972), both clearly being “bird-seed' occurrences: BRISTOL BOTANY 29 Heracleum mantegazztanum Somm. & Levier By stream in small combe near the Vicarage, Weare, S, d.A. Polygonum baldschuantecum Regel On trees, near Ladye Bay, eHevedon, S; C.8.C. Symphytum x uplandtcum Nyman Abundant in Priddy Church- yard and spreading to adjacent fields, S, d.A. Datura stramontium L. In the grounds of Pucklechurch School, G, H.J. Hewitt (per A.F.D.). Verbascum phlomotdes L. Banks of new road-works at Beckington and near Spring Gardens, north of Frome, S, R.G.B.R. Cymbalaria muralis Gaertn., Mey. & Scherb. With white flowers, wall at Bloomfield, near Timsbury, S, d.A. Mimulus guttatus DC. By the Wellow Brook near Stony Liteleton, S;-k.G.B.R. Mentha spicata L. Behind chapel, Mark Causeway, S; also waste ground, White Post, near Chilcompton, S, Jd.A. Senecto fluvtattlis Wallr. A small patch by the Avon below Hanham, S, A.G.B.R. Also banks of Cam Brook, Radford, S, ¢d.A. Cteerbita macrophylla (Willd.) Wallr. Well established clump, roadside verge, Westonbirt, G, Mrs. T. Ridout, in 1972; lane, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, G, I.F.G.3; a patch of several square yards established on Clifton Down, Bristol, G, P.d.M.N. Loltum multtflorum Lam. f£. ramosum (Guss.) P. Junge Waste heap, Nyland, S, Jd.A. Bevarz~a viridis (L.) Beauv. Near Somerset Court, Brent 30 Ad.) Wi ES Knoles sala An BRYOPHYTES. Cephaloztella hampeana (Nees) Schiffn. On live Salix cinerea L., 6 £t above ground Mevet weaker Wood, near Chewton Mendip, ‘S,\d.A. This is. anyunuswal: situation Bom ae liverwort, normally found on raw humus or soil. Physcomttrella patens (Hedw.) B., S. & G. Muddy field near Brent Knoll, S, d.A. Bryum captllare Hedw. var. ruftfoltum (Dix.) Podp. Crevice of wali, West Horrington., Si, sA., Ceci eee CO geatas B. obcontcum). This record is given by Hadiuzzaman Syed in an article entitled ‘A taxonomic study cot Bryum captllare Hedw. and related species' in J. Bryol. 1973., Vol. 7; pp. 265-326. .Bryum cap r liane whedwen wae. ecaptllare is common and widespread in the Bristol area; Syed's paper confirms Bryum torquescens Bruch, now given specific rank, from rocky ground, Swallow Clift (Sand Point), S, J.A., 1961, as in.‘*A Bryophy ter tora of North Somerset" (Trans. Br. bryol. So0G.. 1970, Vou Gi, p29) Drepanocladus revolvens (Turn.) Warnst. var. tntermedtus (Gin ade )o Rusch 2728 oWalil’. Bog near Hinton Blewett, S, men Ale The second record for v.c. 6. I am indebted to all those who have supplied records and helped with these, especially Mrs. J. Appleyard, Miss I.F« Gravestock, Mrs. S.C. Holland;—Mr.-P.d- Me Neebercorcr and Gaptain “RG. 8B.) Roe; I am also grateful to Mr. M.W. Huxley of Long Ashton Research Station for the supply of meteorolog- cad data. Pete DyOPP abet Ith eNO, ie oS shil Peis ehOc L/D iy Srl aR Cl, bo 67> 3 BUTTERFLIES By A. N. GROSE A good year, except that May was rather cool and July rather dull and rainy at times. The blues and hairstreaks apparently suffered from last year's weather, but the butterflies with grass-feeding cater- pillars were generally common, as were Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks. The former were in great abundance during the late summer. Lack of records of some species may be due to voor observer cover. Monitributorsi: . ReAngles,-G.R.Best, J.F.Burton, P.J.Chadwick, R.M.Curber, Miss L.F. Gravestock, B.J.Gregory, A.N.Grose, D.R.Hamblett, B.S.Harper, M.Heath, C.Jordan, T.B.Silcocks and H.STacey. The initials G and S refer to the Watsonian vice-counties of West Glos. and North Somerset respectively. Pararge aecerta Speckled Wood) Widespread and particularly common, late June and July. Kingsweston Down: 45, July 13; Dolebury Warren, June 16; Lower Hazel Down: one, June 29. Pararge megera (Wall Brown) Seen in small numbers; fairly common in some S localities. Cadbury Camp: enue? so Salttord: 12:.on Aug.11. Melanargta galathea (Marbled White) Fairly common in the usual localities, especially Nailsworth, July 4; Kingsweston Down (abundant, July 8 and 27); Brockley Combe (103, July 8); Goblin Combe (33, July 25) and Brent Knoll (abundant, July 26). A female variant with dark brown markings on hind wings, Church Hill, Clevedon, July 7. Euments semele (Grayling) Few records. Several, Bream, July 10 and Goblin Combe on 25th. Mantola gurttna (Meadow Brown) Widespread and common; a good year, particularly at Goblin Combe (235, July 28) and Kingsweston Down. Common, Charterhouse and Brent Knoll. Mantola ttthonus (Hedge Brown) Fairly common, Kingsweston Down (66, July 31), Bledisloe, Blakeney (several, Aug.12) and Cadbury Camp (90, Aug.12). Coenonympha pamphtlus (Small Heath) Widespread and common, Bream: 3, May 22; Dolebury Warren: 29, June 16; Charterhouse: common, July 1. Aphantopus hyperanthus (Ringlet) Common in most suitable localities. Leigh Woods: 24, July 7; Brockley Combe: 179 on 8th. Argynnts selene (Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary) G. No records. S. Brockley Combe: 17, June 14; Dolebury Warren: 27 on 16th. 32 LEPIDOPTERA NOTES Argymnts euphrosyne (Pearl Bordered Fritillary) G. A few, Dymock Woods, May 14; two, Bream, on 22nd. S. No records. Argynnts aglata (Dark Green Fritillary) G. One, Filton, June 15. S. Six, Charterhouse, July 1; five, Brockley Combe on 8th; 12, Goblin Combe, on 25th. Several at Upper Langford and Dolebury. Argynnts paphta (Silver Washed Fritillary) G. Ten, Blackpool Bridge, Forest of Dean, July 19. S. Brockley Combe: 7, July 8; Saltford: one, Aug.11. Euphydryas aurinta (Marsh Fritillary) G. No records. S. One, Charterhouse, June 10. Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral) Fairly common and widespread; a good year. Henleaze, Bristol: fairly common, Aug., Sept., on rotten apples, 8 pupae on Sept.13. Brockley Combe: two, July 8; Leigh Woods: two, Sept.8. Vanessa cardut (Painted Lady) Widespread but uncommon. Upper Langford: one, July 14; Brean Down: two, Sept.2. . Aglatse urttcae (Small Tortoiseshell1l) Abundant everywhere. Adults and larvae, Rockhampton, July 7; Blagdon: over 250 on Catmint, Aug.18, and 150 on 25th. Kingsweston Down: 40, Sept.18. Nymphalts to (Peacock) Widespread and common, particularly in late summer. Cadbury Camp: 58, Aug.12; five, Blagdon on 25th. Polygonta C-album (Comma) Widespread but not common. Inglestone Common: one, Sept.4. Wick; one, Mar.19 and six on 23rd. Saltford: seven, Aug.1l. Ltmenttts camilla (White Admiral) G. Small numbers, naa good year. Several, Dymock Woods, July 31. S. No records. Cuptdo mintmus (Small Blue) No records, G or S. Artcta agestts (Brown Argus) G. Several, Stinchcombe Hill, Aug.20. S. Goblin Combe: ten, May 26; 15, Aug.26. Dolebury Warren: two, June 16. Polyommatus tcarus (Common Blue) Widespread but numbers down. Stinchcombe: a few, Aug.20. Goblin Combe: 19, May 26 and 25, Aug.26. Four, Inglestone Common, September. Celastrina argtolus (Holly Blue) A poor year with few records. G. One, Wick, Apr.27; two, Kingsweston Down, July 31. S. No records. Lysandra cortdon (Chalkhill Blue) G. Many, Stinchcombe Hill, Aug.20; 13, Rodborough Common, Aug.9. S. No records. LEPIDOPTERA NOTES 33 MOTHS By K.H.POOLE The following list has been compiled from records contributed by C.S.H.Blathwayt (CSHB), J.F.Burton (JFB), K.H.Poole (KHP), T.B.Silcocks (TBS) and J.D.R.Vernon (JDRV). Unless marked * all were noted at light, and were single specimens unless shown otherwise. Acherontta atropos L. (Death's-head Hawkmoth) (ee Clevedon, October 21* (Mrs.N.Neath, per JFB). Herse convolvult L. (Convolvulus Hawkmoth), larva, Thornbury, (R.Leeson, per JDRV). Drymonta ruftcornts Hufn. (Lunar Marbled Brown), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, May 20 (KHP). Pseudotps btcolorana Fuess (Scarce Green Silver-lines), Weston-s-Mare, July, a few (CSHB). Etlema complana L. (Scarce Footman), Clevedon, July 24 (2) (JFB). Lycophotta porphyrea Schiff, (True Lover's Knot), Abbots Leigh, July 2 CBS ).. Agrotts rtpae Hubn. (Sand Dart), Weston-s-Mare, July 7*; Berrow, July 13%, fairly common (CSHB). Xylophasta sublustrts Esp. (Reddish Light Arches), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, July 5 (KHP). Apamea scolopactna Esp. (Slender Brindle), Weston-s-Mare, July 30 (CSHB); Abbots Leigh, Aug.17, 18 (TBS). A. ophtogramna Esp. (Double Lobed), Shapwick, June 29* and July 6* (CSHB). Celaena leucosttgma Hubn. (Crescent), Shapwick, August 17 (CSHB). Leucanta straminea Treits. (Southern Wainscot), Berrow, July 13* (CSHB). Eurots occulta L. (Great Brocade), Weston-s-Mare, Aug.1, pale specimen (CSHB). Charaeas gramints L. (Antler), Abbots Leigh, July 29 (TBS). Zenobta retusa L. (Double Kidney), Shapwick, August 3 (CSHB). Z. subtusa Schiff. (Olive), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, July 30 (KHP). Dasycampa rubtginea Schiff. (Dotted Chestnut), Weston-s-Mare, Nov.6* (CSHB). Jasptdea pygarga Hufn, (Marbled White-spot), Shapwick, June 22 (CSHB). Plusta gamma L. (Silver Y), Clevedon, Weston-s-Mare, many during August and September*, (JFB, KHP). Ophtusa pastinum Treits. (Blackneck), Milton, Weston-s-Mare, July 5 (KHP). Tholomiges tufosalts Wocke (Marsh Oblique Barred), Shapwick, Aug.10 and wy? 6(CSHB). 34 LEPIDOPTERA NOTES Seopula margitnepunctata Goeze (Mullein Wave), Milton, Weston-s—Mare June 22) (KAP): ( Lampropteryx otregitata Metc. (Metcalfe's Carpet), Shapwick, May 55, June 8, 16 and August 17 (CSHB). Eupttheeta denotata Hubn. (Campanula Pug), Weston-s-Mare, June 24 (CSHB). E. pygmaeata Hubn. (Marsh Pug), Shapwick, May 28* (CSHB). E. valertanata Hubn. (Valerian Pug), Shapwick, July 6 (CSHB). Erannts marginarta Fab. (Dotted Border), Clevedon, March 4, with uniform brown forewings (JFB). Eetropts extersaria Hubn. (Brindled White Spot), Weston-s-Mare, early June, several (CSHB). The following list, all from Bristol, on shop windows , street lights, etc. (P.M.Heath) , shows what can be observed by the keen-eyed within the city itself. Agrotis puta Hubn. (Shuttle-shaped Dart), Amathes xanthographa Schiff. (Square-spot Rustic), Triphaena pronuba L. (Large Yellow Underwing) , Dtataraxta oleracea L. (Bright-line Brown-eye), Phlogophora mettculosa L. (Angle-shades) . Aparmea monoglypha Hufn. (Dark Arches) , A. secalts L. (Common Rustic), Agrochola lychnttis Schniff. (Beaded Chestnut), Plusta gamma L. (Silver Y), Dysstroma truncata Hufn. (Common Marbled Carpet), Abraxas grossulartata L. (Magpie), Deuteronomos fuscantarta Haw. (Dusky Thorn), Colotots pennarta L. (Feathered Thorn). BER tS O% 2B 24RD’ «REPORT, 1973 35 COMPILED BY THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE OF THE B.N.S. ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION P. J. CHADWICK G. E. CLOTHIER fe He DAVES H. R. HAMMACOTT S. M. TAYLOR G. SWEET J. D. R. VERNON This thirty-eighth annual report can be said, for two reasons, to mark the end of an era. It is the last to bear the name of our senior Editor, H. H. Davis, who began the series in 1936 and whose death on Jan.2, 1974, is reported elsewhere in this volume. It is also the last to be produced before the new County boundaries came into effect. These will inevitably have some effect on reporting procedures, although details remain to be worked out. We can say, however, that although the legal validity of the new boundaries dates only from April 1, 1974 the whole of that year's report will be made on the new basis. THE YEAR. 1973 was warm and exceptionally dry. In the first quarter, pre- cipitation was only 45%, and in the last quarter only 42%, of normal and for the whole year's total, the figure was 70%. The first half of January was dominated by anticyclones which held up the Atlantic fronts; weather was mild, and winds light, with fog at times. Then came unsettled weather, with S.W. winds sometimes of gale force. Rain on the 20th turmed to snow, but by the 23rd the temperature was again above the 10°C (50°F) level. At the New Grounds, the bulk of the Bewick's Swans left by Jan.12, earlier than ever before, and some colour-marked birds were seen on the R. Elbe by the 18th. Several Little Stints were present in the area, confirming the growing tendency of this species to winter in Britain. No large-scale weather movements of bird flocks were reported. February was mild and relatively dry, except for cold spells from the 12th-1l6th, with sleet and snow, and from the 26th, when snow once more covered high ground. A report of a Bittern at Litton reservoir on the 25th appeared in Brittsh Btrds, but this record has not reached us. However, the bird at Chew Valley Lake in late 1972 was seen at intervals until March. The first week of March was rainy, but the next fortnight was dry and warm with light, generally easterly winds, though nights were rather cool. In the last week conditions were less settled, but temperatures were above aver- age. A Wheatear on the 7th at Sand Bay was the year's first to be reported 36 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT to Brittsh Birds, a day earlier than 1972's first and in the same place. A Reed Warbler at Chew on the 24th was very early - same three weeks before the first appreciable fall of the species. April started with rain and S.W. gales, but in the main winds during the month were from the N. or N.E. with occasional snow flurries (heavy snow fell in the Midlands and North on the 9th.) Warm but rainy weather arrived from the S.W. on the 26th. Wood Warblers were late; the first two reported to British Btrds were at Weston Bay on the 17th and Portbury Wharf on the 26th. A fall of twelve or more Wheatears at the New Grounds on April 24 suggested, by their large size and bright colouring, that they belonged to the Greenland race. In the next two days, parties of 50-60 of this race were seen in S.W. Lancs. and on the Calf of Man. May's weather was unsettled, with S.W. gales on the 4th and 5th, then showery thundery weather, with blustering S.W. winds as a succession of low pressure systems crossed the country. Winds were easterly during a fine spell from the 14th-16th, and the 26th and 27th were warm and sunny. The S.W. winds brought records of Fulmars, Manx Shearwaters and skuas in the Estuary. Only a few southern herons were seen in the country, and one of these was a Squacco Heron at Chew, the first known in our area since one was shot at the New Grounds in 1867. A Hoopoe was seen at Sand Bay on the 16th. From the 20th, an influx of Red-footed Falcons occurred from south- ern Europe, involving perhaps 20 birds. One was present just north of our area, at Kenfig Burrows in Monmouthshire, from the 20th-30th, and on the 25th one visited the New Grounds. From the start of June the weather was warm and sunny (except for two thundery outbreaks in the third and fourth weeks) until July 10, when it became much cooler and unsettled, with heavy rain and strong S.W. winds at times. The warm and sunny weather returned for the last week of July. A number of Spoonbills were reported in the country in June, including several along the northern shore of the Estuary, and from June 10-27th one stayed at the New Grounds. A Short-toed Lark at Brean Down on June 16th was the first ever recorded in Somerset. August started wet, with more strong S.W. winds, but was hot and sunny from the 11th-19th, then cloudy though still warm. Unsettled weather continued for the first week of September, but an anticyclone then brought more fine weather, with light, variable winds and some fog. From the 18th, rainy weather moved in from the S.W. and the rest of the month was cooler and showery, though winds were light and variable. Thirteen widely-spaced records of Temminck's Stints in England included me at Chew on Aug. 28th. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 37 On Sept.24th a Red-throated Pipit was seen at Blagdon reservoir, another first record for Somerset. On the 26th a Spotted Crake, one of several in the country, appeared at Chew Valley reservoir, and a Sabine's Gull arrived next day; others were seen at eight or so localities throughout the country. On the 29th a second Spoonbill appeared, also at Chew, and a Grey Phalarope at Weston Bay. The autumn was a good one for records of North American waders. Pectoral Sandpipers were seen at 22 localities in Britain, including Chew Valley reservoir, but pride of place locally goes to a Buff-breasted Sand- piper at Blagdon. This was the third Somerset record, the others being at Steart in 1966 and Cheddar reservoir in 1970; it was also the third record for our area, being preceded by the Cheddar bird and one at the New Grounds in 1961. The autum passage of Little Stints was exceptional in the westem half of the country, and some of the largest counts were at Blagdon and Chew Valley reservoirs. In late September, Curlew Sandpipers were also more numerous than usual, with up to ten at Blagdm and seven at Chew Valley. As the year progressed, the reservoirs became increasingly depleted, with very large areas of exposed mud. As a result, large flocks of some waders built up, with over 200 Snipe and 1,000 Dunlin at Chew; less common species - Greenshank and Common Sandpiper, for example - also occurred in larger numbers and for longer periods than usual. The first half of October was anticyclonic, resulting in dull weather with occasional drizzle and fog. Easterly winds predominated, light on the whole but fresh during a rain outbreak on the 12th and 13th. A second Sab- ine's Gull appeared in the area om the 3rd, with a second Grey Phalarope the same day. A heavy passage of Redwings was seen on the 12th over the New Grounds, continuing all day and extending into the 13th; oddly enough, the birds were moving northwards. The first Bewick's Swans of the autwum arrived at the New Grounds on Oct.13 - the earliest return date recorded. The autumn flock contained 28% young birds, indicating a good breeding season in the Arctic. The first White-fronted Geese had also arrived very early (on Sept.27) and the autumm flock cotained 39% young birds, a very high figure for the second successive season. On Oct.23 the Azores 'high' extended over Britain, giving mild, cloudy but dry conditions. Fog developed in the last days of the month and the first week of November, then unsettled conditions prevailed with S.W. gales on the 12th and 13th. From the 17th it became colder, with rainy periods interspersed with cold N.W. winds. These lasted into the first days of 38 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT December, but the rest of the month was cloudy and fairly mild in the S.W. of the country. The year ended with gales in the Atlantic. Many Long- tailed Ducks occurred on inland waters elsewhere during November, but it was Dec.26 before one appeared at Chew Valley reservoir. However, the number of Goosanders there built up throughout December to a peak of 62, the highest ever recorded in the area. Very large totals were present also in Middlesex, Leicestershire and Derbyshire. Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers were seen at Chew up to the end of the year, presumably over- wintering birds. COMMON BIRDS. Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrests, both delicate species and vulnerable in cold winters, have become increasingly plentiful after yet another season with no very severe or prolonged cold weather. Goldcrests have often been reported from deciduous trees as well as from their more usual coniferous habitats. A pair of Reed Warblers nested on Nailsea Moor, the first recorded in eighteen years of close study (HRH); Sedge Warblers breed there regularly. Whitethroats continued to be well below their pre-1968 level; they were very scarce or absent altogether in parts of the area, but appeared to be making a Slow recovery in others. Spotted Flycatchers too remained fewer than formerly, but their numbers were higher in 1973 than in 1972. Of larger birds, there was an encouraging increase in sightings of Barn Owls, but all related to single birds. The status of the Cuckoo remains unclear; some observers consider that fewer than ever were present in 1973, but too few reports were received for a satisfactory assessment. Many more reports, positive or negative, would be welcome. URBAN BREEDING OF GULLS. The records of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls breeding on roof-tops in Bristol have increased in 1973, and a first report has come from Bath. In both cities, the numbers of gulls seen on or over roofs which cannot be examined suggests that there may have been many nests not recorded. NORTH SOMERSET ROOKERIES. In April 1973, members made a survey and census of the rcokeries lying in the North Somerset part of our area. A total of 185 rookeries, containing in all 3443 nests, was found. This figure repre- sented a reduction of almost 40% since the census made by B.W.Tucker in 1933. At that date the area held fourteen rookeries with over eighty nests, while in 1973 there were only two. Contributors: “L.P Alder, M.JlAl len, DabeAnderson, R.Angles, A.J.Astridge, B.H.Bailey, J.Barber, R.D.Beale, W.G.Bigger, R.K.Bircher, R.L.Bland, T.Bomford, F.A.Bradley, H.Brazier, G.A. and Miss M.E.Bridge, D.Buffery, BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 39 A pundy,, J.F.Burton, I.Campbell, D.M., P.J. and R.N.Chadwick, B.T.Chambers, W.B.Charlesworth, T.R.Cleeves, E.S.Clement, G.E.Clothier, C.Cook, R.M. Curber, A.H.Davis, S.B.Edwards, T.D.Evans, A.Farmer, P.G.Farmer, G.A. Forrest, K.L.Fox, J.R.Govett, Miss V.Graham, J.W.Hale, A.L.Hall, Miss T.M. Hamand, D.R.Hamblett, R.G.Hamilton, H.R.Hammacott, R.S.Harkness, K.G.Harris, S.P.Harris, Miss J. Haskins, R.C.F.Hastings, A.M.Heaven, Mes M.Hilil-Cottingham, H.G.Hockey, W.J.Holbrook, Mrs.S.C.Holland, RA. Hume, Mrs.J.Humphris, J.R.Hunter, C.Jones, R.C.Jones, B.L.Kington, N.T.Lacy, H.R.H.Lance, Miss R.C. Lee, Miss E.J. Lenton, J.G.Lewis, J.S.Lewton, M.Litjens, J.T.Lovell, J.A.McGeoch, D.V.Mardle, A.Merritt, J.R.Moody, Dr.T.A.M.Nash, Mrs.F.Neal, H.W.Neal, R.Ogborne, M.A.Ogilvie, Aod.earsons, D.H.Payne, L.C.Pierce, D.Poole, A.Pople, A.B.Price, 2G. and Mrs.S.E.Prince, B.Rabbitts, Dr.A.P.Radford, Mrs.G.Roach, J.F.Rowe, M.Sainsbury, J.D.Sanders, M.W.Seaford, D.Shaddick, J.R.Sheppard, Mrs.M.A. and T.B.Silcocks, E.H.Skeeles, K.T.Standring, G.Sweet, C.M.Swaine, R.G.Symes, Mrs.M.V.Taylor, G.P., N.G.M. and S.M.Taylor, R.G.Thomas, Muss M. Trounson, R.B.Tunstall, G.Walker, G.C.Wall, Miss M. Walters, D.Warden, R.Whitlock, A.J.Wilson, M.G.Wilson, Mrs.G.A.Winn, M.Woods; and Bath Natural History Society (B), Bristol Ringing Group, Chew Valley Ringing Station (CVRS), Bristol Grammar School Field Club, Steep Holm Gull Research Station (SHGRS) and the Wildfowl Trust (WT). The initials G and S denote the parts of the district in South Glos. and North Somerset respectively, defined as follows. That part of Glos. lying east of the Severn and bounded on the N. by the R. Frome from its mouth at Arlingham Bend inland as far as Dudbridge, then by its tributary S. to Avening, and then by the A434 road through Tetbury to the Wilts. border; and that part of Somerset bounded on the S. by the R. Axe from its mouth to Wookey, and then by the B3139, A371 and B3098 roads through Wells, Shepton Mallet and Frome to the Wiltshire border. Brean Down, Steep Holm and The Denny are deemed to lie within the area. From its mouth inland to Swineford, the centre-line of the R. Avon is taken as a conventional boundary between G and S; otherwise the political boundary applies. The systematic list following is in the order, and follows the nomen- Clature, of A Spectes List of Brtttsh and Irtsh Birds, published by the British Trust for Ormithology at the request of the 1971 Conference of Report Editors. GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podtceps ertstatus S. Total less than 100 early in the year. Numbers at Chew Valley reser- voir reached 150 by mid-June, 250 by end of July, 350 in September and 400 in October/early November, decreasing to 250, mid-November to December. The only breeding record was of a pair with three juveniles at Litton resr. BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podticeps ntgrtcollts S. Four records, all from reservoirs: single birds at Blagdon, March 22, at Chew Valley, April 1-3 and at Cheddar, July 29 - Aug.4; and two at Blagdon on Sept.16. 40 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT FULMAR Fulmarus glactalts S. One found dead at Brean Down, Feb.17 (RA). Noted in the Estuary from April to September, including 17 off Brean Down, April 1; 15 on May 24 and nine, June 10; four off Sand Point on May 1 and five m Jume 13. MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus S. One was found at Frome, Oct.21 (CC). All other records were from Sand Point and Brean Down, on 17 dates, May to August. Main nunbers at Brean were 200, June 10; 100 on 19th and 183 om July 20; and at Sand Point were 14, May 10; 21 on 3lst; 97, June 10 and 62 on 13th, 15 om 20th and 24 on 30th; 11, July 21 and 44 qm Aug.4 (RA, TB). STORM PETREL Hydrobates pelagicus S. Four were noted off Sand Point om Aug.7 (TB). GANNET Sula bassana Noted in the Estuary on only 16 days (cf. 34 in 1972). Usually only one or two birds were seen, but eight were off Brean Down on July 8 and four on 20th; and ten off Sand Point m Aug.7. CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo The largest coastal counts were 21 at Brean Down on April 5; five at Portbury, April 8; and six at Sevem Beach on Sept.1l. The island roost at Chew Valley reservoir held up to 55 birds in January and February; and increased from five in mid-September to same 50 in December. Up to three were noted at Blagdon reservoir in spring and autumn, me at Barrow Gurney on Oct.21 and 16 at Cheddar, Dec.29. The breeding colony on Steep Holm (whose birds often visit Cheddar) held 40 birds on June 30. SHAG Phalacrocorax artstotelts S. Two adults and a juvenile were present at Chew Valley reservoir on Aug.7; the juvenile was still present next day (BLK). HERON Ardea cinerea Counts were received from all known heronries; the total of occupied nests was about the same as in 1971 (78/80 cf. 78/79). SQUACCO HERON Ardeola rallotdes S. One was seen at Chew Valley reservoir on May 26 (AB et al.); the record, accepted by British Birds Rarities Cammittee, is the second for our area. BITTERN Botaurus stellaris S. Single birds, Chew Valley res., Jan. - Mar.18 and Nov.25 to end year. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 41 SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodtia G. - An immature bird was present at the New Grounds, June 10-27 (LPA). S. An immature bird stayed at Chew Valley reservoir, Sept.29 - Oct.1lO (JB, RAH, DS et al.) and an adult was seen at Emborough, Oct.7 (RSH). MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Cammon and widespread as a breeding species. Eggs and/or young reported from 17 localities including Cromhall, Eastville and Centre of Bristol, Abbot's Pool (Failand), Wraxall, the reservoirs and the moors. Some 1,600 at the New Grounds, Jan.12; over 1,600 in N. Somerset, mid- January, 1,400 in late September and about 1,700 in mid-November. TEAL Anas crecca G. Maximum counts were 720 at New Grounds on Sept.21 and 150 at Frampton Pools on December Ist. S. About 500 in the area in January and 600 in February. There was an early return in autum, with 250 at Blagdon in mid-August and 560 on Sept. 2nd. The area total increased to 1,100 by November and 1,300 in December. GARGANEY Anas querquedula G. Three, Frampton Pools, April 9; a male, New Grounds, Aug.7 and 21st. S. A male, Kennet and Avm Canal, March 9 (EJL). A pair, Chew Valley res., April 23; up to eight in June; four or five, mid-July to August (9, Aug. 4 - RMC) and me or two to Sept.22. One at Portbury Wharf, Aug.26-28. GADWALL Anas strepera G. Up to 38 at Framptm Pools in Spring; two pairs bred; up to 100 there, September to December. One, Tortworth Park Lake, March 25. S. Bred at Blagdon, Chew Valley and Litton reservoirs. In autum, some 140 were in the area; initially most were at Chew Valley reservoir, but the main flock moved to Cheddar res. in October. Up to four birds were occasionally noted at Barrow reservoirs, Orchardleigh Lake, Emborough Pond and the coast at Portbury Wharf. WIGEON Anas penelope G. Highest count at New Grounds was 2,300 on Jan.12 (MAO); 500-600 there, Feb.3. Up to 55 present, Severn Beach - Chittening area, January to February and up to 24 in December. S. Same 1,000 in the area in January, decreasing to 700 in March and 100, early April. One stayed at Chew Valley res. fram May to July. The first Auturm records were of three at Portbury, Aug.18-19 and one at Cheddar 42 ; BRISTOL BIRD REPORT reservoir on 23rd. In September numbers rose slowly, with an influx in October (300 at Cheddar on 4th). Area total was about 1,350 by end year. PINTAIL Anas acuta G. Maximum count in New Grounds area was 250-300, January-February. S. Few present early in the year, but more than usual in autumm (when the first seen were two at Sand Point, July 31 - TB). Reservoir counts - Cheddar: 25, Oct.21; 66, Nov.4, then up to 35 to end of year; Blagdon: 17, Oct.27; 19, Nov.14; and 23, Dec.15; up to nine at Chew Valley. SHOVELER Spatula elypeata G. Some 200 in the New Grounds area, Jan.-Feb. and November-December. S. Fewer than 150 present in January, but over 220, mid-Feb. and March. Predat reservoirs (two broods at Blagdon and one at Chew Valley). Up to seven at Portbury Wharf, mid-July to August (usually only ones and twos are seen on coast). Some 400-500 were in area in September; main flock was usually at Chew Valley res. (where 427 counted in mid-Dec. and 600-650 later in month); up to 33 at Cheddar and four or five, Barrow and Blagdc. RED-CRESTED POCHARD Wetta ruftna S. Cheddar reservoir: a male in January, then a pair, Feb.7-19; a female, Sept.14; a male, Oct.21-Dec.9 then two, Dec.15-21 (JB, SBE, RCJ et al.). A juvenile, Chew Valley res., Aug.30-Sept.1 (CVRS). SCAUP Aythya marila G. Frampton Pools: single females present, March 9 - April 9, July 13 and Sept.21; a second bird was present, March 29-30 (TDE). S. Most reservoir records were from Cheddar: one, in January; a pair in February; 11 from mid-March to end of April; 7 to May 2 and a pair to 14th; a female, Oct.3-9 and Nov.8-12, and up to three in December (SBE, RCJ, HRHL et al.). Barrow Gurney: a female, Jan.28 - Feb.22 and a pair on May 5 (AM). Chew Valley: a male, Jan.21; up to three, end of March to April 15 and one male, April 23 - May 9 (CVRS, RSH). Only coastal record was of a female in the Axe Estuary on Oct.9 - possibly the bird from Cheddar. TUFTED DUCK Aythya fultgula G. At Frampton Pools numbers varied between 225, Jan.4 and 117, Feb.19; eight pairs bred; 66 present, Sept.21 and up to 250 in November-December. In Bristol, occasionally in City Docks; eight, St.George's Park, Dec.24. S. Same 500 in the area to end of February, and 625 by mid-April. Bred at reservoirs (Blagdon, 1 pair; Chew Valley, 3 pairs cf. 50 in 1972; Litton, 3 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 43 pairs), and at Newton Park Lake (1 pair). Over 400 in area, August and September and 550, October to December. Occasionally seen at Portbury Wharf. RING-NECKED DUCK Aythya collarts S. A single male was present at Blagdon reservoir, March 16 - April 16 (KTS et al.) and again at Cheddar reservoir from Sept.10 - Oct.4 (MGW). POCHARD Aythya fertna G. Up to 250 at Frampton Pools, Jan. - Feb., most leaving early March - 25 present on 29th; nine, mid-Sept., up to 130 in Nov. and 220 in Decenber. S. Area total 600-650, January; 500+ in February; then up to 100, rising to 280 early July and to 600 in mid-September, 750 by end of month and 800- 850, November to December. Only one brood seen, at Chew Valley reservoir. GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula G. Frampton Pools: six in January; up to seven, February to March; three, April 9; three in November and December. S. Numbers similar to those in 1972; counts of 55-68, January to middle of February, 50 in mid-March and 40-45 in April; one on May l. First autumn arrivals on Oct.13; 25-30 present, mid-Nov. and 35 by end year. LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalts S. The female present at Barrow Gumey resrs. at end of 1972 stayed until May 5; another was at Chew Valley reservoir, Dec.26-31 (HRHL, AM et al.). VELVET SCOTER Melanttta fusca S. Adult male off Sand Point, Oct.26, 1969 - record just received (BLK). COMMON SCOTER Melanttta ntgra S. Noted off Weston-s-Mare on 26 dates, January to October. Counts totalled 98 birds, of which 30 were in April (11 off Brean Down on 13th and 6 on 29th), 17 in May, 16 ‘in August and 13 in September. Reservoirs: one each at Barrow, May 5; Chew, July 20 and Cheddar, Aug.6; and five at latter, Oct. 2nd. EIDER Somaterta molltssima S. The flock of 11 present off Brean Down in Dec. 1972 had left by Jan.l. Reported off coast. each month, Jan. to September: up to three off Sand Point in Jan., one in Feb., me, July 29 - Sept.16; four to S.W. off Birbeck I., May 6; five off Brean Down, Mar.16, six, on April 13; eleven from April 15 to May 5, then one or two males to July 14. RUDDY DUCK Oxyura jamatcensts G. Frampton Pools: a pair was seen on April 14. S. Four pairs bred at Chew Valley reservoir. Out of breeding season, 44 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT most birds usually at Blagdon, where up to 70, February and nearly 100 at end of year. Single males, Barrow Gurey resrs., Mar.1l and Dec.2 (AM); a female, Cheddar res., Oct.13/14 and two males on Dec.2 (RCJ et al.). RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator G. A male was present on the estuary off the New Grounds, Dec.10 (LPA). S. Reservoirs: one, female or immature, Cheddar, Nov.10-17; a male at Blagdon, Nov.14 and another, Chew Valley, Dec.18. A pair, off Sand Point on Nov.22, was the only coastal record. (TB, RSH, AM et al.). GOOSANDER Mergus merganser G. Frampton Pools: a 'redhead', Dec.2-18 and three from 23rd (LPA, RKB). S. All records from reservoirs. ‘Two at Blagdon, Feb.11; all other winter and spring records from Chew Valley, where up to 15 present, January; nine for most of February, but 14 (7 males) qm 16th and 16 (6 males) on 18th; six, March 8, three on 17th, two qm April 29 and oe, May 20 (CVRS et al.). Autumn: two, Chew Valley, Nov.2-10; three on 17th and four next day; 33, Dec.9 increasing to 50 on 15th and 62 on 17th; 45, Dec.21 and 55 qm 23rd; five at Cheddar, Nov.18 and up to four, December. (RMC, SBE, RO et al.). SMEW Mergus albellus G. Two 'redheads', Frampton Pools, Dec.1-4 (LPA, NR) and a pair from Dec.5 to 16th (TDE, NR et al.). S. One male bird, usually at Cheddar reservoir but sometimes at Blagdon or Chew Valley (almost certainly same bird), January to April 8; a female, Cheddar reservoir, Nov.10-12 and Dec.22; two females, Nov.18 and Dec.8; and one male, Nov.25 to end of year (JB, RMC, HRHL et al.). SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Coastal survey in breeding season: best estimates for (a) New Grounds to R. Avon and (b) R. Avon to Bimbeck Island as follows. May population: (a) 150; (b) 140. Total pulli reaching coast: (a) 50 and (b) 145. The former are 30% below, and the latter 30% above, the 1972 estimates. A pair hatched eight pulli at Chew Valley reservoir, and reared five Or six. More birds than usual at reservoirs in December: 4 at Barrow, 2 at Blagdon; 11 at Cheddar and 27, Chew Valley. GEESE Anser sp. Four over Filton (with a Bar-headed Goose!), March 16; nine to S.W. at Bleadon, Sept.1 and three, Middle Hope, am 12th (RA, TB). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 45 WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albtfrons G. The New Grounds total of 2,000 at end of 1972 rose to 6,000 by Jan.15, then fell to 5,000 by 20th; to 4,100, Feb.16; 2,600, Feb.21-March 2, to 1,000 on 7th and only 90 on 8th (the last birds seen). Four flew S.W. past New Grounds, Sept.24; eleven present on 27th; only 47 om Oct.12 and then a slow build up to 450 by Nov.30; 2,300 present, Dec.2 and 2,600 by end of year. Another good breeding season (47% young) after the poor year in 1971 - see Report 1972 p.235. At Aust, 51 flew N.E. on Jan.6 and 15 Mm Dec.1; 38 were seen at Wick on Jan.25; 20 at Chittening, Dec.1 and 19 next day. S. 100 to N.E. over Uphill, Jan.6; 32 at Sand Point, same day, and 12 on 25th; 14, Kewstoke on 12th and 60 over Claverton Down, Bath, m 24th. Five at Clevedon, Feb.6 and five at Chew Valley res. from the 10th - March 11; one at Brean Down, Feb.18. Eleven at Sand Point, Nov.28, also 18 on ‘Dec.4 and three on llth. Ome at Cheddar reservoir on Dec.1; eight at Chew Valley on Dec.27 then six to end of year. LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser erythropus G. An adult was at the New Grounds from Dec.2 to end of year (PS et al.). BEAN GOOSE Anser fabalts G. An adult of the Russian race, A. f. rosstcus, was at the New Grounds from Jan.2 to March 2; and an adult A. f. fabalts fram Dec.6-31 (WT). PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus G. One adult, New Grounds, Jan.1 to mid-Feb. and two, Dec.20-31 (WTI). S. One was seen with five Whitefronts at Chew Valley reservoir o Feb.18 and one at Cheddar reservoir mm March 14. | DARK-BREASTED BRENT GOOSE Branta b. berntcla G. An adult bird was present at the New Grounds, Jan.1-March 4, anda first-winter bird from Nov.27 to the end of the year (WT). BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsts G. Up to four, present, New Grounds, Jan.2-March 2 (WI) ; one seen at Severn Beach on Feb.18 (DVM, GOW) may well have been an ‘escape’. CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis G. New Grounds: 30, Feb.10 and 41 (Framptm Pools) on 23rd; 76, Dec.18. Two landed at Monk's Park School, N. Bristol, then flew N., March 30 (ML). S. A pair was present at Chew Valley reservoir all the year (three young reared); also a party of five, July-December; one, Cheddar res., Feb.23. 46 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus G. Four (a pair with a juvenile and another adult) as New Grounds, Jan.29- Feb.25; and two adults, Dec.15 and next day (WT). S. Two at Blagdon reservoir o Jan.18; one at Chew Valley, Nov.17-25. BEWICK'S SWAN Cygnus bewtcktt G. During the winter 452 individuals recorded at New Grounds (19% young); largest count 325 on Jan.8. The first autum arrivals appeared from Oct. 13, numbers reaching a peak of 294 m Dec.31; a total of 428 individuals identified, including 28% young - the best for several years (WI). One flew N. over Horfield and four over Monk's Park, Bristol, on March 2. Three at Sheperdine, Nov.9 and ten between Severn Beach and Avonmouth on Dec.1. S. Reservoir records: nine at Chew Valley, Jan.3 and ten on 4th; one in October, seven, Nov.1 then one or two to 25th; 18, Dec.30; one at Cheddar on Jan.7, two on 27th and eight on 3lst; one dead, Feb.4; me, Mar.11 and 38 on 14th; one, Oct.22, then up to 14; up to four in November, and 17 (monthly max.) on Dec.15; 30, Blagdon, March 19; ten, Oct.27; 17, Nov.1, 15 on 2nd and three on 14th; up to five in December. Two overhead, Barrow Gurney resrs., Dec.30. Coastal records: a herd of 13, Sand Point, Feb.13; one, Dec.2 and four om 16th; two, Axe Estuary, Nov.17. BUZZARD Buteo buteo G. Reported during breeding season from Nailsworth, Cromhall, Kilcot, Doynton, Horsley/Kingscote area, New Grounds and North Stoke. Autumn and winter records from New Grounds, Michaelwood, Tortworth, Cromhall, Hallen, Oakford near St.Catherine and, in Bristol, over Clifton, Henleaze and Stoke Park. One over Redland (Bristol) in April. S. Bred successfully at me locality near Bath (JL) and up to three pairs probably bred in Chew Magna/Chewton Mendip area. Resident at Abbots Leigh - usually single birds seen, but three in April and seven together on Sept.26 (MAS). Other records of up to two birds in breeding season from other Mendip localities, Blagdon (juvenile seen, Aug.18 - PJC), Pensford, | Lansdown, Charmy Down, Goblin Combe, Failand, Portbury and Gordano valley, © including a pair, Weston Moor, of which one was later shot (HRH). Autum and winter records from Yoxter (Mendip), Blagdon area, Chew Valley reser- | voir, Rode, Combe Hay, Midford, Friary Wood (Bath), Lansdown, Pipley Bottom, | Saltford, Portbury, Failand, Wraxall and Gordano valley. SPARROWHAWK Acctptter ntsus G. Breeding records from Frampton Pools (JDS) and Slimbridge (MAO). Also reported in breeding season from Gossington, Cromhall, Tytherington, Duck- BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 47 hole (Thornbury), Wick and Conham (Bristol). Twenty other records from January to March and August to December. S. Three pairs reared young in Abbots Leigh area (per TBS). Bred also near Axbridge (JAMcG), Blagdon res. (RMC), Keynsham and Bath (B). Recorded in breeding season also from Rode, Downside, Chew Valley reservoir, Cheddar, Compton Bishop, Crook Peak, Loxton, Brean Down, Weston Wood (probably bred) and Portbury. Some 50 other sightings, Jan. - March and August—December. HEN HARRIER Ctreus cyaneus S. A female or inmature bird over Steep Holm, Oct.8, 1972 (SHGRS). MONTAGU'S HARRIER Ctreus pygargus S. An inmature male between Velvet Bottom and Priddy, April 26 (VG, MH). OSPREY Pandton haltaetus S. One was present at Chew Valley reservoir, April 18-27 (KTS, KEV). HOBBY Falco subbuteo G. Records in breeding season from two localities, including two birds together at one place. Also single birds at Frampton Pools, April 15 (RKB); Downend, April 30 (PSH); Sea Mills, Bristol, May 7 (TBS); West Littleton, Aug.22 and Hallen, Aug. 30. S. Records from nine localities in breeding season, including two birds together at three sites. Single birds seen at Monkton Combe, April 26 (PARH) ; Cheddar reservoir, April 28 (BR) and July 24; Chew Valley res. on many dates, May 3 to Sept.22 (many observers); Lansdown Road, Bath, May 25 and 28th (B); Middle Hope, June 7 (TB); Wrington Vale, Aug.12; Blagdon reservoir, Aug.27 (PJC, RNC); Chilcomptc, Sept.12 (RSH); Rode, on 18th (CC); Downside, on 20th (RSH); and Walton-in-Gordano, Oct.14 (DP, DHP). PEREGRINE Falco peregrtnus G. Single birds seen, New Grounds, Jan.-March and Dec.26 (LPA, SBE, AHD) ; and Sheperdine, Aug.26 (JRH). S. Single birds, Brean Down, several dates, Jan.7-March 26, Sept.30 and Oct.6; Sand Point, Feb.14, Aug.8 and Oct.21; Gordano Valley, April 29, Nov.4 (two birds) and 11th; Kingston Seymour, Aug.12 and St.George's Wharf, Dec.16 (RA, PJC, ACK, AP, TBS et al.). MERLIN Falco columbartus G. New Grounds area: a female, Jan.15 (LPA) and a male, Feb.4 (TDE, JWH). One, Avonmouth, Feb.8 (JRM). S. Single birds recorded from Midford, Jan.7; Chew Valley res., Jan.14, 48 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Feb.18, Sept., Oct.13, Nov.1 and Dec.16; Sand Point, Jan.16, March 15, Sept.11 and 26th, Oct.14 and 22nd; Blagdon res., March 27 and Oct.4; Clapton-in-Gordano, Oct.13; Portbury on 14th and Dec.16; Brean Down, Oct.18; Barrow Gurney, Nov.1 and Clevedm on 18th. RED-FOOTED FALCON Falco vesperttnus G. A sub-adult bird was seen at Frampton on Severn on May 25 (JRH). Record accepted by Brittsh Birds Rarities Committee. KESTREL Faleo titnnunculus Common and widely distributed. Analysis of sightings over Bristol suggests fifteen pairs resident; breeding proved at six sites. Monthly distribution of all records received was as follows. Line (a), Bristol (G); line (b), Bristol (S); line (c), other G; line (d), other S. ‘FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Ne Wo igen fo ea 7 Amel el eas CO) 10 PSii28a° AES 823 59 v2 ET SSss BORE Sa Sie Oo The high spring totals reflect breeding-season conspicuousness and effect of a special appeal. 70% of the records were along motorways or Main roads, including M32 inside City. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectorts rufa S. Breeding-season records from Portbury Wharf and Wavering Down. PARTRIDGE Perdtx perdtx Breeding-season records from only six localities. QUAIL Coturntx coturntx G. Qne calling at Marshfield o July 4 (RM). WATER RAIL Rallus aquattcus S. Breeding-season reports only fram Chew Valley reservoir. SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana S. Single birds at Chew Valley Lake, Sept.26 and Oct.27 (KEV). COOT Fultca atra Widespread as a breeding species in the area. At Cheddar reservoir where the largest concentrations occur outside the breeding season, the maximum counts were same 1,500 in February and again in early October; at Chew Valley, maxima were 583 in March and same 980 in July. At Frampton Pools, the peak count was 350 in December. The partial albino seen at BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 49 Cheddar in December 1972 stayed there, and occasionally at Blagdon, wntil March; one (the same?) appeared at Cheddar in October. OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus G. One, Oldbury on Severn, Feb.4th. One at New Grounds, March 31; up to six in May and July and up to three thereafter. Up to three, Severn Beach to Chittening, Aug.11 to end of year. S. Present on coast from January to May 5 and from July 8 to December, with largest counts as follows: 20, Clevedon (Feb.); 80, Yeo Estuary (April); 50, Sand Bay (Nov.) and 150, Axe Estuary (September). Reservoir records: one, Cheddar, May 13; four at Chew Valley, April 14; single birds there, June 28 ence miiivyas2 —Aug. 16 (but up to 17, Aug.6-8). On Aug.25, 1970, a flock Of 30 flew in to Chew Valley reservoir (BLK) - record just received. LAPWING Vanellus vanellus G. Largest counts were from New Grounds: 600-700 in February; 400 in June rising to 1,800 in July; 1,190 in September. 500 at Marshfield, July. S. Only large movement reported was some 2,500 over Rode in December. The Main concentration was at Axe Estuary, where up to 3,000 were present in January and February and 2,000-2,500 in December. large numbers also at reservoirs (peaks of 750, Blagdon, Sept.; up to 2,500, Chew, late July) and on moors (peaks of 500, Kenn, July and 400, Nailsea, July and winter). RINGED PLOVER Charadrtus htattcula A pair bred, St.George's Wharf (S); two voung ringed, June (WGB, PJC). Monthly peak counts in main areas: (a) New Grounds; (b) Oldbury to Sheper- dine; (c) Severn Beach to Chittening; (d) St.George's Wharf; (e) Sand Bay; (f) Weston Bay and Axe Estuary; and at reservoirs: (g) Blagdon; (h) Chew Valley; (k) Cheddar. Blanks denote no information. (a) (g) (h) (ke Jan. Feb. March O April 4 8 1 May 25 300 25 10 June Ll 25 3} i July 28 37 42 5 5 Aug. 453 silts: 1200 29 27 50 3 Sept. 80 60 200 14 50 25 2 Oct. 200 O 3 4 3 Nov. 6 100 0 12 Dec. 24 100 O 50 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrtus dubtus Single birds noted at New Grounds and Chittening and at Cheddar and Chew Valley reservoirs, April 8 - May 18; two at latter place, May 22. On autumn passage, 34 records of up to three birds, July 6 - Sept.23; most at reservoirs, but seen also at New Grounds (July 31) and Chittening and at Portbury Wharf. KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus S. One, St.George's Wharf, Aug.19 (WGB) with party of Ringed Plover inclu- ding juveniles. Detailed description supplied. GREY PLOVER Pluvtalts squatarola G. New Grounds and Sever Beach - Chittening: up to four, January to May 20 (14 records); and up to nine, Aug.12 to December (42 records), but up to 23 in late September. S. Noted every month on coast (34 records), mostly at Sand Bay, where 52 were seen on Jan.25, up to 24 from September to November and 35 cm Dec.12; up to three elsewhere. Reservoirs: one at Chew Vallev, May 19/20 - an exceptional spring record; 8 or 9 there, Oct.13, otherwise single birds there and Blagdon and Cheddar, occasionally from July 28 to end of year. GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvtalts apricarta G. Up to 60 at New Grounds in January, February and October; up to four in May, August and September. 150 at Aust in February. S. Noted from January to April 23 (24 records) and Aug.25 to December (31 records), the largest counts being at Axe Estuary (peaks of 550, January and 750, December) , Brean Down (420 in November) and Kenn Moor (250, January). Counts of 100 or more also from Burnett, Queen Charlton, Marksbury, Nailsea Moor and Clevedon coast. | TURNSTONE Arenarta tnterpres G. Present from January to June 6 and July 16 to December, mainly from Chittening to Severn Beach (up to 250) but occasionally up to 100 from Littleton to Severn House Farm and from Sheperdine to Oldbury on Sever. S. Noted ao coast from February to May 1 (mainly near Clevedon, where up | to 40 seen) and July to December (up to ten, St.George's Wharf and Clevedan, | up to four elsewhere). Two, Cheddar reservoir, April 24 and one or two | there and Chew Valley, July 26 - Aug.18th. SNIPE Gallitnago galltnago G. Only nine reports, all of fewer than ten birds. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT yl S. Bred, Kenn and Nailsea Moors and Ashton Vale, and probably in Gordano Valley. Also 69 reports from coast, moors and reservoirs, January to May 6 and July 29 to December. Largest counts were at Axe Estuary (320, December), Kenn Moor (200, January), Nailsea Moor (200+, March) and Chew Valley reser- voir (200, November). Many other reports were of 50 or more birds. JACK SNIPE Lymocryptes mitntmus G. Ten reports of single birds: Chittening to Aust in February, March and December, at New Grounds in November and at Avonmouth in December. S. Thirty-four reports, January to April 18 and Sept.19 to December; most were of single birds, but up to four seen at Sand Bay, Jan. and Feb. and up to nine in December; five birds, Ashton Vale, April 18, and up to four ‘at Blagdon and Chew Valley reservoirs, in September. WOODCOCK Scolopax rusttcola G. One flew over Horfield, Bristol on Nov.1st. No other records received. S. Fourteen reports of single birds, January to May 23 and Oct.16 to Dec~ ember, from Stock Hill (Mendip), Wellow Brook, Barrow Gurney reservoirs, Kenn Moor (March 11), Abbots Leigh (roding), Failand, Gordano Valley, Weston Woods; 18 shot, Abbots Leigh - Failand, in Boxing Day shoot (per TBS) and Six more seen on 29th. CURLEW Numentus arquata Present all months but not breeding (82 reports from G and 97 from S). Main winter numbers of order of 150 at New Grounds; 100, Sevem Beach to Chittening; 50, Portbury and St.George's Wharves; 40, Clevedon; 50-100 from R. Kenn to R. Yeo; 50, Woodspring Bay; 120, Sand Bay; 50, Weston Bay and Axe Estuary; smaller numbers elsewhere om coast; occasionally a few inland at reservoirs and elsewhere. Steady fall from mid-March to end of April; very small numbers May and June then rapid rise with autum passage - distinct peaks end July and end August (up to 584 and 507 respectively at New Grounds, 200 at Severn Beach area and at Sand Bay); numbers at winter level by end of October. WHIMBREL Numentus phaeopus Spring passage April 14 - June 15; 47 reports (16 from G) included 70+ at Brean Down on May 12 and several parties of 30-50. Autum passage from July 1 to Sept.30 was smaller, with 35 reports (13 from G) mostly of ome or two birds but up to eleven, Aug.10—-27th, with 127 moving to S.W. in three hours over Sand Bay on Aug.1l1th (TB). 52 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa ltmosa Fewer than in recent years. On the coast, eight reports (three from G), January to June 17; and 34 reports (19 from G), July 2 to December; most were of under ten birds, but 52 were seen at Axe Estuary on Sept.15 and Oct.27th. Reservoirs: single birds at Chew Valley, April 1, Sept.24 and in December; also up to four, June 15 and July 8 - Aug.10; one at Cheddar reservoir on Oct.28th. BAR-TAILED GODWIT Ltmosa lappontca On the coast, 33 reports (20 from G), January to May 28; 54 reports (28 from G), July 16 to December. Most were of fewer than five birds, but up to 17 in April and May and in September, and up to nine, October to end year. One or two at Blagdon and Chew Valley reservoirs, Sept.16 to December and one at Cheddar, Nov.24th. GREEN SANDPIPER Tritnga ochropus Noted from January to May 20 (28 records, including one in G and nine from Chew Valley res.) and from June 15 to December (154 records, incl. six in G, 96 from Chew Valley and 17 from other resrs.). Most were of one or two birds, but up to six occurred at the reservoirs, with up to ten at Chew in July and September and up to 18 in August. Up to 10, Portbury Wharf in August. Reservoir records reflect low water levels. WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola G. Single birds at the New Grounds on July 17, 29th and Aug.7th; 2 m@m 8th and 7 to’ N::.cn 22th. S. Single birds at St.George's Wharf, April 15 and 23rd, Aug.26-28, Sept. 2 and 16th, Oct.14 and 21st; and at Sand Bay, Sept.2nd. Reservoirs: one at Chew Valley, May 19/20; up to three, June 28-Oct.21 (30 reports) with seven on July 30; single birds at Blagdon on Sept.2, 28th and 29th. COMMON SANDPIPER Tringa hypoleucos Winter records of up to three, January to March 26, and mid-October to end of year, from coast, reservoirs and R. Avon (Sea Mills area). Spring passage from mid-April to mid-May with a peak of 34 at Cheddar reservoir and nine at Clevedon. Autum passage much larger and longer, with many records, especially from reservoirs: peaks of 14, Barrow Gurney, Aug. 24 and eight, Blagdon, Sept.3; many records of 10-21 from Chew Valley and Cheddar and up to 12 on coast, July 1 to early October. A few records in spring and autumn of one or two birds on R.Avon as far iniand as Monkton Combe. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 53 REDSHANK Tringa totanus Proof* or strong indication of breeding from New Grounds* (G) and Portbury to R. Yeo*, Woodspring Bay and Nailsea Moor (S). From January to March and October to December, peak counts were 70, New Grounds; 200, Aust; 300, Severn Beach to Chittening; 250, Clevedon to R. Yeo; 200-250, Sand Bay and 300, Axe Estuary. Up to five at the reservoirs, all mmths, but more in June-July (up to 38, Chew Valley). Large passage, July to September, with flocks of 700 to 1,000 in late August and early September. SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa ery thropus G. New Grounds area: up to two, April 16 - May 8; up to 12, Jue 24 to end of August; up to 24, September and October and single birds in November. One at Chittening on May 18. 42 records. ©. Noted from March 11 - June 18, and July 19 to end of year. Occasional Single birds (rarely two) on coast; 60 of the 80 records were from the res- ervoirs, with single birds to Aug.22, then up to 17 at Blagdon and 13 at Chew Valley to late October and then up to seven at Chew to the year end; Single birds at Cheddar, late September and at Blaadon on December 15th. GREENSHANK Tringa nebularta G. More plentiful than in 1971. New Groundsarea: one, April 21 (TDE); up to eight, July 2 to early August, increasing to 20 by 26th, declining to eight by Sept.24, then one or two to Oct.15. One at Chittening in July. =. More plentiful than in 1971. Winter records: one, Portbury, Jan.2 (TBS) and one, Chew Valley reservoir, Dec.24 (MS). Spring: one or two noted on coast, April 1 - June 2 and at Chew Valley res., April 24 - May 31; one, Cheddar reservoir, May 5. Autum: noted on coast, July 7 - Nov.21 (up to nine at Sand Bay, up to six elsewhere) and at the reservoirs, July 8 - Nov. 11, with peaks of 17, Chew Valley, in late August and up to 42 at Blagdon, early September; one at Barrow Gurney, May 24, and single birds at Cheddar, Pepe. 16"= Oct. 7th. KNOT Caltdris canutus Apparently a further decrease. mn the coast, 18 records (9 fromG), January to May 20, all of under five birds except at Sand Bay (up to 140) and Axe Estuary (up to 35); 46 records from July 17 to end of year (half from G) were mostly of under 12 birds, and occasionally up to 35; the only larger counts were from Severn Beach - Chittening (up to 200, Oct.) , Clevedon (up to 300, Oct. and 500, Nov.), Sand Bay (up to 250, Dec.) and Axe Estuary (45 in Nov. and 60 in Dec.). Occasional records of single birds in August and September at Chew Valley reservoir. 54 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT PURPLE SANDPIPER Caltdrts martttma G. One or two, Chittening to Severn Beach, January - May 18 and December. S. Four, Brean Down, April 15. Single birds at Sand Point in July and October. One dead at Axe Estuary in November. LITTLE STINT Caltdrts minuta Up to four ao coast and at Chew Valley reservoir, January to May 16 (14 records). In autumn, up to six on coast (37 records, July 29 = DEC eZ) > Up to ten at Chew Valley reservoir (23 records, Aug.25-Dec.31); up to six at Cheddar (18 records, Sept.13-Nov.4) and up to 17 at Blagdm (17 records, Sept.15-Oct.7). Exceptional passage, late September, with parties of up to 33 at New Grounds, Sept.23-Oct.15, and of up to 40 at Blagdon and 46 at Chew Valley, Sept.27-30th. TEMMINCK'S STINT Caltdrts temmtnecktt S. One was trapped and ringed at Chew Valley reservoir, Aug.28. One seen on Sept.1, 6th and 9th may have been same bird but ring not noticed (CVRS). PECTORAL SANDPIPER Caltdris melanotos S. Two at Chew Valley reservoir (Heron's Green), Sept.19-30 and one on Oct.13/14 (AHD,.PIC,. RMC, KEV, eb, al.) DUNLIN Caltdris alptna Most numerous wader of area by far. General alomg coast, R. Avon up to Sea Mills area, and reservoirs. Main flocks at Sevem Beach - Chittening, Clevedon - R. Axe, Sand Bay and Weston Bay. Approximate monthly totals in area are tabulated: first line, coast; second line, reservoirs. JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 17500° 12500 13100 °3100°° 1600 120° 2000 °§ 2300. 1350°>-12000=) [4500-16006 120 50 17 alk, 24 18 20 90 130 260 1000 1170 These may include some double counts; also, large flocks sometimes cross the Estuary. Reservoir numbers reflect low water levels in autum. CURLEW SANDPIPER Caltdris ferruginea G. One, New Grounds, May 7 (LPA) and up to two, July 29-Oct.15, but up to five in September (LPA, AMH). One, Severn Beach, Aug.28 (PJC, RGT). S. One, Chew Valley reservoir, May 26 (AHD); one, St.George's Wharf on 27th (WGB). Autumn passage: up to four, Sand Bay, July 19-Sept.16 (RA, TB); me, St.George's Wharf, Sept.30 (WGB). Also 39 reservoir records: Chew Valley (July 21-Oct.13), Blagdon (Sept.15-30) , Cheddar (Sept.19 to Oct.28), mostly of one or two birds, but more in late September, when up to seven were seen at Chew and 10 at Blagdon (RMC, TRC, MGW et al.). BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 5)5) SANDERLING Caltdrts alba Up to 22 birds at Sand and Weston Bays (S), January to March 3 and Nov. 14 to end of year. Noted on passage at same places and at New Grounds, Severn Beach - Chittening and occasionally elsewhere, April 3-May 23 and July 17-Oct.16 (up to 22 birds); also at reservoirs, April 30-May 23 (up to nine) and Aug.25-Sept.16 (one or two). BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Tryngttes subruftcollts S. One was present at Blagdon reservoir, Sept.15-21 (WGB, PJC, RMC, AHD, AM et al.). The record, third for Somerset and third for Bristol district, has been accepted by British Birds Rarities Committee. Described as a small wader, size of Common Sandpiper, with a small buff- coloured head, lighter on cheeks; crown streaked brown; upper-parts buffish grey, with 'scaly' appearance due to pale feather edgings. Breast buff becoming paler on belly and under-tail coverts. Long wings, extending be- yond tail, giving long, tapering appearance; no wingbar; dark central tail Gedthers,. ‘Legs light in colour. Flight fast. Trilling call. RUFF Phtlomachus pugnax G. New Grounds: seven records of up to 27, Feb.8-April 24, and 25 records Sete to.39, July 16-Nov.12. 5. Up to three noted on coast, March-~16-May 1 and Aug.25 to Sept. 3rd. Reservoirs: at Chew Valley, up to seven, March 11-Apr.29 (10 records) and up to 18, June 15-Dec.31 (84 records); at Blagdon, up to 20, Aug. 4-Nov.17 (19 records) and at Cheddar, up to 15, Oct.14-Nov.8 (6 records). GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fultcartus S. One at Weston Bay, Sept.29 (RA) and one at Cheddar reservoir, Oct.13 to L6Eh. (RMC,)“TRE,- SBE, CJ, RCJ-et-al.). GREAT SKUA Stercorartus skua G. One over the estuary off Chittening, May 14. S. Brean Down: single birds, March 26 and April 1; three on 5th and two m 13th; single birds May 5, 30th and June 13th. Single birds off Sand Point on Aug.7 and at Walton Bay near Clevedon on Sept.13th. ARCTIC SKUA Stercorartus parastttcus G. Four at New Grounds on April 23, two on May 1 and me on Sept.11 (LPA). S. Single birds off Brean Down on April 22, 29th, May 12 and two, May 5 and 24th. One off Sand Point, June 13 and two on 20th (RA, TB, RGGI; BR)& POMARINE SKUA Stercorartus pomartnus S. Three flying north off Brean Down, May 24 (BR). 56 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus .Pairs bred on roofs in Cumberland Road (G) and Redcliffe (S) areas of Bristol (TBS et al.) and in Bath (RMC). Well over 400 were present at the Chew Valley reservoir roost on Feb.11th.. HERRING GULL Larus argentatus G. A pair were seen with young on a roof in Cumberland Road, Bristol (TBS). COMMON GULL Larus canus G. 201 were counted, with 405 Black-headed Gulls, in a northerly movement over the New Grounds on March 19 (LPA). S. At the Chew Valley reservoir roost, 3,500 to 4,000 were present in Jan- uary and February; many fed am Mendip - 620 counted at Priddy on Jan.21st. ICELAND GULL Larus glaucotdes G. One was seen over the Severn Estuary at Purton, Sept.16 (SRK). S. A first-winter bird was present at Cheddar reservoir on Jan.2, a second year bird at Chew Valley, April 7 - May 28 and another at Cheddar, Sept.25 Eo.29th. (ABD, JAMeG, KTS eb al.). MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus S. An adult (in delayed moult) was seen at Chew Valley reservoir on May 6 (RCFH) and another at Cheddar reservoir on Oct.8 (BR). LITTLE GULL Larus minutus G. Reports from New Grounds area, April 1 - July 17, mostly of one or two immature birds, but up to five in late May and Jume and an adult, June 30th. S. Frequently reported from reservoirs, February to May 6 and July 28 to Nov.14; mostly one or two immature birds, but four at Chew, May 6 and up to five in August, including one or two adults. More adults, in ones and twos, fran Sept.29th. BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus rtidtbundus An adult female found dead of tuberculosis at the New Grounds on May 18 had been ringed in Sweden, June 13, 1964 (LPA). One found dead at Chew Valley res. on Feb.3 had been ringed as a nestling in Finland in June 1970. SABINE'S GULL Larus sabtnt S. An adult was seen at Chew Valley reservoir on Sept.27 (JDRV) and an immature bird at the same place on Oct.3 (DB). KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla G. New Grounds: 18, April 2 and two on May 8; me at Chittening, Aug.27. S. Fewer were noted than in recent years (total approx. 250) and movements BRISTOL BIRD REPORT D7 were later. The largest counts off Brean Down were 15, April 13; 14 next day; 77 on May 22 and 35-40 cm the late date of Nov.15 (a juvenile was seen over Rode four days later). Off Sand Point the largest counts were 14 on Roril 4: 25 on May 1 and 15 on Aug. 8th. BLACK TERN Chitdontas ntger G. New Grounds area: five, April 29; single birds, May 5 and 20th, Aug.1l1, Sept.1-4 and 16th. S. Small spring passage: six, Chew Valley reservoir, Avril 26; four, May 5 (20, same day, at Brean Down) then single birds to Jume 2; three, Sand Point on May 1 and nine on 12th; 15, Cheddar reservoir, May 4. A few records of up to five birds from late June to early August, then 16 at Chew Valley reser- moire On 12th, 28 on 15th, 30+ ~m 18th, 24 m™m 22nd and 42 on 27th (25, same day, at Cheddar res.); and up to 20 in early September. Subsequent records were mostly of single birds, with up to six occasionally, wntil Nov.11th. COMMON TERN Sterna htrundo ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradtsaea First recorded on April 19; largest spring movements were 166, at New Grounds and 10, Chew Valley res., both on April 23; 45, New Grounds and 290 off Brean Down (but only 7 off Sand Point) on 29th; 60, Brean Down and 7, Sand Point, May 24th. No large autum counts were received; up to 18 birds at Chew Valley reservoir, July to September (but 38, Sept.4); usually from ane to three at Blagdon, but 8, July 1; from four to six at Cheddar, August end September, but 20, Sept.19, 11 on 21st and 10 m™m 29th; 15, Sand Point, ~Aug.7 and 13, New Grounds, Aug.12th. Last recorded on Oct.2lst. ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougalltt -S. One with Common/Arctic Terns, at Chew Valley reservoir, May 6 (GJ, ROJ). LITTLE TERN Sterna albtfrons .S. Recorded on spring passage in May; Single birds at Portbury Wharf on 6th and at Chew Valley reservoir on 8th and 3lst. On autum passage, records of two at Chew Valley, Aug.2 and Sept.4, and single birds on Aug.19, 22nd and 23rd. An adult, at Sand Bay, Sept.16th. SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvtcensts Many more records than usual - a total of 39 birds seen on 19 days. G. Two, New Grounds, May 22 and Sept.10; and two, Frampton Pools, July l. S. Brean Down: four, April 29; two, June 10; single birds, July 6 and 20th. Sand Point: four, April 29 (see above); three, May 1 and Aug.7; two, May 10, June 13 and July 2; and single birds, May 8 and 16th. Chew Valley reservoir four, Aug.13 and me on 28th; two, Sept.2, 14th and 23rd. 58 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT AUK sp. S. Noted off Brean Down (species not certain); 10, April 1 and two om 29th; 15, May 5; two, June 10 and one on 13th; one, Oct.14 (DMC et al.). RAZORBILL Alea torda S. Single birds off Sand Point om May 13 and June 13, and ome dead in Sand Bay on July 29 (RA, TB). GUILLEMOT Urta aalge S. One flew to S.W. off Sand Point on June 3 (RA). STOCK DOVE Columba oenas In Bristol, same five pairs at each of Vassalls and Stoke Parks (G). The only flocks of over 20 birds reported were 55+ at Blagdon reservoir in June and 30 near Charterhouse in November (S); and some 100 at Chittening Warth (G) in December, with a large flock of Woodpigeons. TURTLE DOVE Streptopelta turtur Seventeen records, April 25 - Sept.14, mostly of up to two birds, from Cromhall, Lower Woods (Wickwar), Thornbury, Severn Beach, Tormarton and Marshfield (G); and Friary Wood (Bath), Limpley Stoke, Nailsea, Charter- house, Cheddar and Chewton Mendip; up to six to E., Portbury, in May (TBS). COLLARED DOVE Streptopelta decaocto Now common in almost all parts of district. Nesting reported from many areas in Bristol, also regular feeding from bird tables close to houses. CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Males calling from April 23 to June 17; two single birds seen on Aug. 26 at Nailsea Moor and St.George's Wharf were presumably juveniles. One ringed | at St.George's Wharf in June 1971 was retrapped nearby at Portbury on April | 24. Young found in Dunnocks' nests at Falfield and Tockington (G). BARN OWL Tyto alba G. Single birds reported from Pipley Bottom, Feb.25; Chittening, in March and Aug. 25/26; Northwick in April and Doyntm on Nov.12. S. Breeding season records of single birds from Portbury, Winford, Chew Valley reservoir, Hunstrete, Radstock, and Stock Hill, Mendip. Records from ten localities of single birds, January to March and September to December. LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Reports from 32 localities (12 in G) covering all months. Only records | of breeding were from Chew Valley res., Chew Stoke, Lansdown and Portbury. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 59 SHORT-EARED OWL Asto flammeus G. New Grounds: one, March 12 (MWS); one, Oct.7-Dec.4, but four on Nov.1 then two to 19th (LPA, RMC, TDE et al.). Severn Beach: one, May 11 (HB) and one, Nov.3 (RGI). Chittening: one, Feb.26-April 23 but two, March to April 14; two, Oct.14; four, Dec.26 and three on 30th (NTL, RGT). o>. oimgle birds at Sand Point, Jan.6 (TB); Rode, March 3 (CC); Portbury Wharf, April 20 and 26th, then two on 28th/29th (KGH, MRH, TBS); Brean Down April 29 (F); Cheddar res., Oct.30 (JB); Kenn Estuary, Dec.26-29 (WBC). LONG-EARED OWL Asto otts S. Heard at two localities, January to March, but no evidence of breeding. TAWNY OWL Strtx aluco Considered to be widespread as a breeding species, but records received from only 19 localities (of which 9 were in G). Breeding records only from Badock Wood, Bristol and Doynton (G); and from Nailsea and Chew Valley res- ervoir (S). Bred in nest-box at latter place (CVRS). SWIFT Apus apus First noted, April 29 - May 2; main departure, Aug.10-14; latest noted were eight, Sand Point, Aug.25 and two, Chew Valley res. m Sept.lst. As usual, very large numbers feeding at Chew Valley - some 10,000 on May 13, then slow decline, with 8,000 om June 10 and 3,000 to 4,000 in mid-July. A bird ringed as an adult at Ashley Down, Bristol on July 20, 1966 was hooked by a fisherman at Blagdon res., July 23, cared for and released at Weston. HOOPOE Upupa epops S. One at Sand Bay, May 16 (TB). LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus mtnor Observations almost certainly considerably under-estimate real status. G. Breeding season records from Cramnhall, Winterbourne, Westbury-on-Trym, along R. Frome from Eastville to Stapleton (Bristol) and Wick. S. Noted at N. Widcombe, Downside and Blagdom and Chew Valley reservoirs. WRYNECK Jynx torquitlla G. One feeding ao lawn, Wick, Sept.1 (DRH). S. Calls heard at three different points, Downside Estate, March 26 (RSH). SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella cinerea S. One at Brean Down on Jume 16 (RA). The record, accepted by British Birds Rarities Committee, is the first for Somerset. 60 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT The bird was described as being smaller and paler than Skylark; upper- parts pale buff with brown streaking; underparts white and unmarked. Black mark each side of lower neck. Bill conical. WOODLARK Lullula arborea S. Two males, Brean Down, April 26th. Up to four, Sand Point area, Aug.2, Oct.14, Nov.4 and 6th. One, Clevedon, Oct.27. (RA, TB, PJC, ML). SAND MARTIN R¢parta rtparta S. Breeding records from Bedminster, Bristol; R. Avon between Bath and Saltford; and near City weir, Bath. RAVEN Corvus corax No proof of successful breeding, but reports covering all months from New Grounds, Berkeley and Lower Kilcott (G); and Wrington Warren, Sand Point, Worlebury, Weston Wood, Brean Down area, Clevedon, Cheddar Gorge, Chew Valley reservoir, Emborough and Monkton Combe (S). WILLOW TIT Parus montanus . Reports from Inglestone Common (G) and Stock Hill Woods (S) usually of single birds but sometimes of two (AM, JAMcG, APR). DIPPER Cinelus ctneclus Reports of up to three from Michaelwood and Wick (G); and Winford, Littm Wookey, Newton Park Lake and the Cam, Wellow and Midford (bred) Brooks (S). BEARDED TIT Panurus btarmicus Up to four reported from New Grounds and Chew Valley reservoir, from Oct.5 to the end of the year. RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Reports of from one to three birds from Stoke Park, Bristol, April 5 and Filton, April 17 and Oct.23; and from Yeo Estuary, Sand Point, Brean Down and Crook Peak , March 27 to April 29 and Oct.18. WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe Eighty reports of up to six birds from widespread localities, March 7 to May 26 and July 22 - Oct,29; also at least 12 large, brightly coloured birds, possibly of the Greenland race, New Grounds, April 24 (TDE). | STONECHAT Saxtcola torquata Breeding was proved at Brean Down and Crook Peak (S). Seventy reports (of which 25 from G) covering all months, of up to eleven birds, were received from widespread localities. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 61 WHINCHAT Saxtcola rubetra Reports, April 24 to Oct.27, of up to five birds from New Grounds, New Passage, Severn Beach and Chittening (G); and from old airport, Whit- church”, Portbury and St.George's Wharves, Nailsea Moor; Clevedon, Sand Bay, Brean Down area, Charterhouse, and Cheddar and Chew Valley reservoirs (S). Breeding proved where marked ce REDSTART Phoentcurus phoentcurus Up to three birds reported, April 21 - Oct.16, from Sheperdine, Thom- bury, New Passage and Stoke Park (Bristol) (G); and from Ashton Park, Long Ashton, Brean Down, Priddy and the reservoirs (S). BLACK REDSTART Phoenteurus ochrurus Single birds reported, March 5 to May 13, from Chittening (G), and Clevedon coast, Sand Bay, Brean Down, Wrington Hill and Cheddar reservoir _(S). Reported also from Brean Down area on Oct.28, Nov.3, 15th and 22nd; and from Clevedon coast, Dec.10-12. NIGHTINGALE Lusctnta megarhynchos Singing males reported, April 21 - Jume 16, from Frampton Pools, Ingle- stone Common, Thornbury, Littleton om Sevem, Compton Greenfield and Hallen (G); and from Leigh Woods, Dundry, Chew Valley reservoir, Wellow, Midford, Limpley Stoke and Beechen Cliff and Friary Wood, Bath (S). GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevta Up to three singing males reported, April 16 - July 20, from Chittening and Pipley Bottom (G) and from Portbury, Clevedon, Congresbury, Sand Point, Brean Down, Bleadon, Lord's Wood, and Blagdon and Chew Valley reservoirs. WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus stbtlatrix Recorded, April 17 - Aug.27, from Blaise Woods, Bristol (G) and Portbury, Leigh Woods*, Ashton Park, Brockley Combe’, Goblin Combe, Weston Woods, Chew Valley reservoir, Rainbow Wood (Bath) *, and Timsbury (S). Breeding proved at localities marked * (PIC). FIRECREST Regulus tgntcaptllus S. Single birds at Downside, Feb.12; Chew Valley reservoir, Nov.18 and Congresbury, Nov.22 (RSH, CVRS, WJH). PIED FLYCATCHER Musetcapa hypoleuca Reports of single birds, April 27 - May 12 and Aug.14 - Sept.4 fram Fishponds, Henbury, Horfield and Cotham (Bristol) and Filton (G); and from 62 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Backwell, Kenn Moor, Brean Down, Weston-s-Mare, Chew Valley reservoir, Chewton Mendip and Litton (S). RED-THROATED PIPIT Anthus cervtnus S. One, Blagdm reservoir, Sept.24 (RMC, MGW). The record, the first for Somerset, has been accepted by Brtttsh Btrds Rarities Committee. The bird, seen with Meadow Pipits, was described as a small pipit, dark brown, with dark striations on its mantle, a double buffish wing-bar and heavy blackish streaking o its flanks, the sides of its breast and its throat. Chin buff; legs pink; bill thin. Call-note very distinctive; long- drawn-out penetrating seeee-eee, slightly though not pronouncedly disylla- bic, with a rather thin and melancholy quality. WATER PIPIT Anthus sptnoletta sptnoletta S. Up to 2 birds reported, Jan.6-April 23 and Oct.3-Dec.31, from Barrow Gurney, Cheddar and Chew Valley reservoirs. PIED WAGIAIL Motactlla alba yarrelltt Cammunal roosts reported include 200 at village pond, Frampton on Sevem February; up to 300 at Cumberland Basin, Bristol in March; and at least 200 at Blagdon reservoir and 100-150 at Chew Valley in late September. WHITE WAGIAIL Motactlla alba alba S. Up to seven reported, March 21-May 20, from Clevedon, Sand Bay, Uphill and Cheddar and Chew Valley reservoirs. One at Sand Bay, Sept.11 (RA) was the only autumn record received. GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lantus excubttor S. Single birds seen at Chew Valley reservoir, Jan.3; Old Wells Road, Men- dip, Feb.24; Dolebury Hill, Nov.2; Blagdon, Nov.14; and Cheddar Gorge, Nov:..10-and Dec.8 (SBE, RJP et. al.). RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lantus collurto S. A female, Chew Valley reservoir, July 19 - Aug.2 (RMC, DW et al.). HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Reports of up to four from Cliftm@m Down, Bristol (G) and Dundry, Ashton Park, Leigh Woods, Chew Stoke, Emborough Pond and Rode (S), covering the months January to April, October and November. No breeding records received SISKIN Carduelis sptnus Sixty-nine reports from widespread localities, S and G (including, in Bristol, Snuff Mills and Vassalls Park), mostly of up to 30 birds, January to May 17 and Sept.30 to end of year; but 140, Frampton Pools and up to 50 in Mendip Woods, February. BRISTOL BIRD REPORT 63 TWITE Carduelts flavtrostris G. Two at Chittening, March 10 (NTL). S. One at Brean Down, March 7 (BR). REDPOLL Carduelts flammea Sixty-one reports of up to 30 birds from widespread localities cover- ing all months; 75, Stock Hill, Mendip, Feb.1 (JAMcG). CROSSBILL Loxta curvtrostra S. Eleven records, Jan.18 - April 20 of up to 43 birds, mostly fram Men- dip woods, Ashton Hill Plantation and Ashton Court, following 'invasion' of autum 1972. Up to four, Clavertmm Down (Bath) and Failand in August. BRAMBLING Fringilla monttfringilla Fifty-one reports of up to 150 birds from widespread G and S localities, from January to April 24 and Oct.10 to end of year. Some 650, Chittening Warth, on Dec.30, with other finches. CORN BUNTING Embertza catandra Resident but local. Reported in breeding season (May 2 - July 26) from Marshfield, Tormarton, Lansdown (Bath) and Priddy area; up to ten reported at other times from Chittening, Hanham, Sand Bay, Bishop Sutton and Stanton Prior. CIRL BUNTING Embertza ctrlus Resident, but qly in a few localities. Twelve reports of up to three birds, Feb.18 - Sept.27, from Sand Point, Worlebury, Bleadon Hill, Shipham and the Cheddar-Draycott area (RA, JB, TRC, SBE). SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax ntvalts Three, Sand Bay (S), Feb.13 (TB). Up to three, at New Grounds (G), Sand Bay and Cheddar reservoir, Nov.6 - Dec.10 (LPA, TB, RCO). TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Twenty-six reports, covering all months, of up to fifty birds, from 14 localities in G and S. OTHER COMMON OR REGULARLY OCCURRING SPECIES PRESENT (those marked * are mentioned in the Foreword) Restdents: Little Grebe, Greylag Goose’, Pheasant, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Skylark, Carrion Crow, Rook* , Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay; Great, Blue, Marsh and Coal Tits; Long-tailed Tit*, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, 64 BRISTOL BIRD REPORT Robin, Goldcrest*, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Star- ling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Yellowhanmer, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow. Summer or winter visttors or passage migrants: Turtle Dove, Cuckoo*, Swal- low, House Martin, Fieldfare, Redwing*; Reed*, Sedge*, and Garden Warblers; Whitethroat*, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Spotted Fly- catcher*, Yellow Wagtail. “Ful l-winged Greylags from the Wildfowl Trust are regularly seen else- where in the area. Ringed Plover's eggs, Sever Beach, May 22, 1912 (The species bred there also in 1913. See page 49 for the next breeding record in the district.) Photo. by “R.P. Gare: Beto rOlL “MAMMATI: REPORT, 1973 65 By R.G.SYMES The need to condense this report has meant that many interesting records have been omitted. However, all have been filed for future reference and an attempt has been made to include the most important observations. The aims of the mammal survey have been described in previous Proceedings. To help members wishing to record their local mammal fauna on the basis of l1-km squares, maps were produced in 1973 showing the known distribution for all species in individual 10-km squares. These provided a valuable incentive to fill gaps on the distribution maps, and altogether 81 members sent in 604 reports, including 27 first records for 10-km squares and 253 first records for 1-km squares. Particularly interesting were the discovery of a species of bat new to Somerset, and the first record from Gloucester- shire for over 100 years of one rodent species. Within two weeks of a new section of the M5 motorway being Opened in Somerset, a badger and a fox were reported as road casualties. It is a sad fact that many of the mammals recorded by members have been found dead. A new hazard for small mammals was reported by D.Corke of Essex, who discovered that pull-top drinks cans may act as pit-fall traps if they fall into an upright positiam when discarded. Common shrews have been found dead in them. The Badgers Act 1973 was passed in July but was not due to become law until January 1974. Following last year's report of a 'feral' gerbil (Mertones wngutculatus) it has been learned that some survived the winter in an unheated green- house and burrowed under the floor in escaping (SS). Thanks for records, newspaper cuttings, and other information go bog. GE Amer, B.H:Bailey, Mrs.1.M.Barrett, G.Barnfield, B.Batt, Miss M.E.Beaumont and the girls of Redland High School, R.L.Bland, R.Bowerman, Bristol Eventng Post, Bristol Naturalists' Society Juniors, R.Brock, Mes.M.Browne, A. & J. Buchan, R.A.Burberry, J.F.Burton, Mr. & Mrs.F.J. Bryant, P.J.Chadwick, W.B.Charlesworth, D.J.Collier, Commerctal Grower, Mass-Cox, R.M.Curber, C.J.Dallinger, I:H.Dearnley, P.Dillon, J.W.Dodson, m.0.D'Oyly, S.B.Edwards, Miss J.D.Ethelston, Gordano School N.H.S., Miss I.F. Gravestock, A.L.Hall, Miss T.M. Hamand, H.R.Hammacott, R.F. Harkness, S:Harris, Miss C.J. Haskins, B.S.F.Hessey, Mr. & Mrs. H.G. Hockey, D.J.Hughes, Mrs.J.Humphris, A.F.Jayne, M.Jayne, Miss H. Jayne, Mes.E.M.Kerley, Mrs.M.E.Knight, J.Laver, Miss R.C. Lee, Miss E.J. Lenton, Miss S. Lewis, K.Lockyer, Mammal Section field meetings, Mrs.1.M.McKeag, J.Milton, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Dr.T.A.M.Nash, North Somerset Mercury, R.E.Painton, Mrs.Pearce, E.W.Powell, Mr.J.G. & Mrs.S. Prince, F.H.Rawlings, A.P.Richards, Miss M.H.Rogers, Dr.R.J.G.Savage, Seoentor, D.Shaddick, Dr.C.E.D.Smith,. C.Sperring, D.Stapleford, H.Stacey, R.E.Stebbings, R.Surch, R.Treble, J.D.R.Vernon, G.Walker, Miss M.V.Watcott, Miss J.B.Webb, Miss J. Weir, Western Datly Press, Dr. & Mrs.R.N.P.Wilton, Mrs.G.A.Winn, W.H.Young. 66 2 .C.Symes Check-list names and numbers are taken from Corbet (1969), except that the names 'ship rat' and 'common rat' are preferred as black and brown varieties of both these species occur. Records which represent additions to the distribution maps published by the Mammal Society (Corbet, 1971) are noted. 1. HEDGEHOG Eritnaceus europaeus. Only one was recorded before April, then eight were seen between Apr 20 and 30. An index to the potential breeding population was that in 880 miles of motoring in April one observer (RGS) saw only two corpses on the road. The over- all impression was that hedgehogs were scarce in 1973. 2. MOLE Talpa europaea. Heavy infestations in the Gordano Valley attracted television and press publicity in the spring. One found dead at North Weston carried two species of flea, Palaeopsylla mtnor minor (Dale) and Hystrichopsylla talpae talpae (Curtis), the latter being the largest British flea (RGS). 3. COMMON SHREW Sorex araneus. One new 10 km square record, from ST 89 (BHB). ‘Two of those trapped at Priddy were unusual; one had a white tail tip and the other, white ear tufts (MSFM). 4, PYGMY SHREW Sorex minutus. New Gloucestershire 10 km square records from ST 69 (EJL) and SO 61 (AFU). 5. WATER SHREW WVeomys fodtens. New 10 km square record for ST 75, Somerset. (IFG): . 8. GREATER HORSESHCE BAT Rhtnolophus ferrumequtnum. Individuals found hibernating in caves in February (RGS, RTI); one ringed? and a colony of at least 20 (most ringed) were seen regularly in a building fram May 29 to Aug.28 (RGS). 9. LESSER HORSESHOE BAT Rhinolophus htppostderos. One found hiber- nating in cave on Feb.11 (RGS, RT). -. BRANDT'S BAT Myotts brandtt?. A bat found dead in a garden m Aug.12 1972 at Sutton Wick (RB), was provisionally identified as M. mystactnus. R.E.Stebbings reported that it was in fact a female M. brandtt, 21-25 days old, and was a new county record for Somerset and a new 10 km square record for ST 55. The species had previously been recorded from only five other counties, the nearest being Wiltshire and Devon. 19, PIPISTRELLE Piptstrellus piptstrellus. Recorded from Glos. and Samerset, including a new 10 km square, ST 65 (JWD). A breeding colony was discovered in a church in Somerset, young being found dead on July 5 and 12 (RGS). MAMMAL SURVEY 24. FOX Vulpes vulpes. Fifty foxes were said to have been shot in the Gordano valley in 1972 (JFB). In 1973, cubs were reported on May 8 (HRH), May 8 and 17 (HS), May 18 “about 8 weeks old" (AFJ), June 5 (RFH), July 23 “about % grown" (HRH), and Aug.15 "well grown" (EJL). RSPCA officials reported that fox cubs were being offered for sale at £22 each. Dr. & Mrs.T.N.P.Wiltm, Miss C.J. Haskins and Mr.A.F.Jayne separately sent very detailed accounts of their dbser- vations on foxes, the latter including a description of how a pair disturbed whilst mating on Jan.24 managed to jump over a wall whilst still "knotted". The 1973 Fox Rally resulted in 22 sightings, con- sidered to be at least 13 individuals, including four sightings of pairs. 27. STOAT Mustela erminea. New 10 km square records were from ST 54 (EJL), ST 67 (RFH) and ST 68 (AFJ). A keeper m a Somerset estate was reported to be paid 50p each for stoat bodies. 28. WEASEL Mustela nivalts. New 10 km square records for ST 24 (PIC) and ST 54 (EJL). 30. AMERICAN MINK Mustela vison. Mink in Somerset were claimed to be "increasing at an alarming rate" (CG) and this was thought to be the "direct result of the withdrawal of the official trappers" (NSM). 6 mink were said to have been killed in the Gordano valley, the first records for that area. 31. BADGER Meles meles. ~ Amongst reports of road casualties were eight killed in nine mmths m a 3-mile stretch of the A369 Bristol to Portishead road. Many reports of new setts and of successful badger watches were received. Three cubs were seen at each of two setts, on July 3 and Sept.5 (AFJ). Erythristic badgers, where "red" hair replaced black, were reported from a Somerset sett (CS). The incidence of bovine tuberculosis in badgers in south Gloucestershire continued to be investigated by M.A.F.F. officials, and was a subject of much concem to farmers and conservationists. 32. OTTER Lutra lutra. Recorded only fram Somerset. The Mammal Society launched a new Otter Survey in 1973. 45. ROE-DEER Capreolus capreolus. Recorded fram two areas of Somerset (RMC and TAMN). 53. BROWN HARE Lepus capensis. New 10 km square record from ST 65, Somerset (MEK). 67 68 R.G.SYMES 55. RABBIT Oryctolagus cuntculus. Reported as "numerous" at Newton St. Loe (MJ) and Winterbourne (AFJ); 93 were seen in a field in the Gordano valley (RGS). 57. GREY SQUIRREL Seturus caroltnensts. Amongst many reports were some of squirrels visiting nut baskets put out for birds (REP, TMH). The Grey Squirrel (Warfarin) Order 1973 permitted the use of a war- farin bait if, when used outdoors, it was laid in a specified form of bait container. 59. DORMOUSE Muscardinus avellanarius. New 10 km square records for ST 44 (DS, SH, RGS) and ST 78 (AFJ, RS). Four nests were found in three localities and a hibermating dormouse was found on Jan.14 at the base of a hawthorm tree in a coppice.. It was kept in captivity until the Spring when it was released where found (RS). 61. HARVEST MOUSE Micromys minutus. Great efforts were put into finding nests, resulting in records from 30 new localities. A nest found near Cirencester (SH) was the first Gloucestershire record for over 100 years, and one found at Magor was a new county record for Monmouthshire (RGS). New 10 km square records were from ST 48 (RGS), ST 54 (SH), ST 58 (PD), ST 66 (EJL), ST 67 and ST 68 (AFJ), ST 75 (EJIL), ST 77, ST 78 and SP OO (SH). Two live young were found in a freshly-constructed nest on Oct.21 (RGS) and a skull was found in a milk bottle (JB). Members of Trusts and of other societies joined us for a 'training' meeting conducted by Stephen Harris who is organising the Mammal Society's Harvest Mouse Survey. 62. WOOD MOUSE Apodemus sylvattcus. Trapped in six localities in Gloucestershire and Somerset. 63. YELLOW-NECKED MOUSE Apodemus flavtcollis. A new 10 km square record from 1965 was received for ST 47 Samerset (BB). 64. HOUSE MOUSE Mus musculus. Only one record received, from Bristol (FB). 65. SHIP RAT Rattus rattus. Adults and young trapped alive and poisoed in buildings in Clifton and Avonmouth. Greaves et al. (1973) reported that all of nine ship rats from Bristol tested for resistance to the anticoagulant poison warfarin were found to be susceptible. They showed that 50% of those tested from Liverpool were resistant and believed that to be the first recorded instance of resistance by R. rattus to a rodenticide. MAMMAL SURVEY 69 66. COMMON RAT Rattus norvegicus. Recorded from 11 localities. 67. BANK WOLE Clethrtonomys glareolus. New 10 km square record for ST 69 (EJL). 68. WATER VOLE Arvtcola terrestrts. Records from six new localities included one seen to be caught by a heron (AFJ). 69. FIELD VOLE Mecrotus agrestts. Recorded from five localities only. 25 species of mammals were recorded in the Bristol district in 1973; two reports of sightings of coypus (Myocastor coypus) could not be confirmed (MAFF). The Mammal Society plans to continue its dis- tribution survey until 1975. If the present obvious enthusiasm and interest is maintained by the Section, the Bristol district should be amongst the most completely recorded in the country. REFERENCES Corbet, G.B. 1969. The Identification of British Mammals. British Museum (Nat. Hist.) , London. Corbet, G.B. 1971. Provisional distribution maps of British manmals. Mammal Revtew I (4-5), 95-142. Greaves, J.H., Rennison, B.D. and Redfern, R. 1973. Warfarin resistance in the ship rat in Liverpool. Int. Pest Control 15, 7. Year BRC Ref. 1972 BRISTOL NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY MAMMAL RECORD SPECIES : Check List | Grid Ref: Office FOX : No. Use : : Only Observer Locality (place name) £6. Syne om J vedh am . Down ‘ Brisk Record Identified by -f Boye County Date Habitat Description Coll. Dec 5 BRt TOL (Clos. 4! : month G ied Nature of Record (numbers, adults, young, behaviour (OSS Jon (cd ona) BRC measurements, nests, time etc.) Ona male etd. aad ex edge of built-up Seg Special road . ay Fleas & ticks colteded av) Preserved . Rucal/Suburban/Sraan (Delete inapplicable) Example of a completed Mammal Record Card 70 PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE SOCIETY'S ARCHIVES Three photographs by J.H.Savory: Above Peregrine Falcon on The Denny, Jume 16, 1951 Oppostte Two photographs of small passerines currently of interest (see page 38) =5: LOD Long-tailed Tit at nest, Abbots leigh, May 21, 1934 - bottom Whitethroat at nest, Abbots Leigh, July 3, 1937 Page 72 Two photographs by Mrs.M.L.Davis, of interest in connection with Dr.Carter's paper (pages 79-90): == Op Erosion cliff of the salt marsh at Sheperdine, 1948 - bottom Out-plantings of Spartina townsenditt below Severn Beach, 1949 MINERALS FROM THE UPPER EVAPORITE 73 HORIZON OF THE KEUPER MARL AT YATE By M. T. CURTIS INTRODUCTION The strontium mineral celestine (SrSO,) has for many years been extracted from the Keuper Marl and underlying Palaeozoic rocks around Yate (Mine and Quarry Engineering, 1960) where it occurs as irregular veins and nodules. The main productive celestine-bearing ground is restricted to an area running about 7 miles from Westerleigh in the south to just west of Wickwar in the north, the average width of the outcrop being about 1 mile. It is believed that the celestine in the Keuper Marl is the primary deposit and is to be correlated with the upper of the two Gypsum Beds which occur in the Keuper Marl (Kellaway and Welch, 1948). The underlying Palaeozoic strata dip to the west at Yate and the celestine, Which occurs largely between the bedding planes, ‘feathers out' with depth (Mine and Quarry Engineering, 1960) suggesting emplacement by downward percolation of meteoric waters from the overlying deposit. Surprisingly, very little work has been done on the origin of this unique deposit. Sherlock (1938) postulated that the celestine was deposited when strontium-bearing fresh water entered a land-locked sea from the south. This sea was actively depositing gypsum but the deposition was arrested locally by the ingress of fresh water which caused the concentration of calcium sulphate to drop below saturation point. The solubility of strontium sulphate, however, is lower than that of calcium sulphate and so it is thought that celestine was deposited when the high-strontium fresh water mixed with the high-sulphate sea water. No attempt is made to explain the absence of dolomite such as might be expected to precipitate from a closed sea producing evaporites according to the closed basin model. This theory and some of the other aspects of the formation of the celestine deposits has been reviewed by Thomas (1973) in his Mineral Dossier for the Mineral Resources Consultative Committee. DESCRIPTION OF LOCALITY Recently the celestine horizon of the Keuper Marl has been exposed near its southern-most extremity during excavations on a building site south of Yate. As far as can be ascertained, no commercial celestine digging has been carried out on this site. The particular site of interest was contained within a rectangle of approximately 100 metres east-west by approximately 75 metres north-south, and which was centred upon grid reference ST70688068. The exposure was limited laterally because the 74 M, Oa oCumtis “’ celestine horizom was approximately 1 metre thick and was situated about 1.5 metres below the highest point of a small hill which fell off steeply to the west and north and less steeply to the east. The area to the south was obscured by a new road and piles of building materials. The close proximity of the deposit to the surface facilitated easy access during the digging of foundations and drainage systems. DESCRIPTION OF MINERALS The celestine occurred as boulders (or mumblers as they are known locally) which ranged in size up to 1 metre in diameter. The majority of these boulders were distributed immediately above and below a thin green intermittent bed of variegated marl which varied in thickness from O-15 centimetres. The celestine was granular in nature and varied in colour from colourless to pale red. Occasionally the boulders contained cavities which were lined with tabular crystals of celestine up to 2 centimetres in length. The extemal surfaces of these nodules were founded and tended to be smooth suggesting same possible small amount of movement. subsequent to deposition. One small nodule (10 centimetres in diameter) when broken open, contained a stratiform texture. Thin layers of granular celestine varying in thickness from 1-10 millimetres were interbedded with laminae, generally less than 1 millimetre in thickness of Keuper Marl. As above the celestine was of a fine granular nature. When one of the larger boulders was broken open , scattered around the centre were found eroded, black stained crystals up to 1 centimetre in size. A number of these crystals displayed a well formed cubic habit strongly suggestive of pseudomorphs after halite. The crystals were found by X-ray diffraction analysis to consist entirely of calcite. The presence of halite was not detected however. The celestine surrounding these pseudo- morphs was very finely granular and was orange in colour whereas the majority as described above was colourless to pale red. The most dominant feature of this deposit, however, was the high degree of silicification to which the nodules had been subjected. Most of the cavities in the nodules had been filled with coarsely crystalline quartz. Most of the outside surfaces also had quartz crystals grown on them which had grown in some cases up to 4 centimetres in length. Most of this quartz was clear in colour but a large proportion of it displayed varied degrees of amethystine colouring. This is believed to be the first time amethyst has been reported from the Yate deposits. The celestine in KEUPER MINERALS AT YATE 75 the more siliceous nodules was heavily eroded and much had obviously been carried away by the depositing solutions. In a number of examples, quartz had surrounded plates of celestine during growth and in doing so had entrapped a thin veneer of red Keuper Marl between the celestine and silica. Where this had occurred fine needles were found disseminated through the quartz adjacent to this thin film. X-ray diffraction analysis showed these needles to be composed of goethite (FeO.OH). The needles were always contained within one crystal of quartz and were almost entirely arranged in small radiate groups (see Fig.la). The point of origin of these groups was always at or very close to the quartz face which was closest to the Keuper Marl and celestine. A small proportion of the included goethite needles, however, were arranged in a random fashion (see Fig.1lb), but even so, the point of origin of these crystals was at or very near to the quartz surface. Goethite needles were never found either in the centre of quartz crystals nor in crystals which were not immediately adjacent to celestine plates coated with Keuper Marl. Neither were any needles found included in amethyst. Many of the specimens have been found to have black staining both in cavities and on external faces but, because they are so thin, these deposits have not yet been analysed. DISCUSSION The external nature of the celestine bounders would tend to indicate, as mentioned above, that they have been moved, possibly in an aqueous medium, subsequent to deposition. The celestine constituting these boulders is very friable due to the uncemented nature of the granules and so it seems very unlikely that the larger of the boulders at least have been moved very far from the source area. The only suggestio of any depositional history was contained in the nodule which possessed a bedded appearance which was strongly suggestive of a primary sedimentary deposit. This bedding was not, however, displayed by any more of the boulders. The calcite pseudomorphs pose something of a problem. One can only assume that the crystals found are those which remained after the majority was removed by circulating waters. This would explain the presence of Cavities in many of the boulders examined. Those which were found were all in the centre of a large boulder where there was little evidence of exsolution by circulating waters. If these cubes are truly pseudomorphs 76 M. Te t(Gurtrs Fig. la Radiate inclusions of goethite in quartz Fig. lb Random inclusions of goethite in quartz M. T.> Curtis after halite then their presence would tend to suggest a possible sabkha type origin for the celestine and gypsum deposits. It has been pointed out by Shearman (1966) that celestine is a minor but common accessory mineral in sabkha deposits and also that halite is commonly found as cubes disseminated through the sediment. The halite is derived from saturated brines which form the greater part of the groundwaters found in these environments. But the normal sabkha model as typified by the present deposits of the Trucial Coast does not explain the high concentration of celestine such as is found at Yate. The siliceous deposits may now be considered. They were probably derived after the celestine. As has already been discussed, the boulders were fairly well rounded, but the quartz crystals show no signs of abrasion or brecciation where they appear on the outside of the boulders. They were, therefore, grown in much the same position as they are now found. ~The question now arises as to whether the quartz was deposited by circulating meteoric waters or juvenile waters from below. ‘The present author tends to believe that juvenile waters are responsible since same evidence has been found to suggest that zinc mineralisation has occurred in the celestine-bearing beds of Keuper age (Curtis, Unpublished results). Specimens of celestine have been found in Keuper Marl and deposited on the celestine were secondary growths of calcite which contained small crystallites of sphalerite. Unfortunately, the exact origin of this material is unknown as yet so a more detailed study of this material must await this information. Furthermore, amethyst of a sedimentary origin is virtually unknown (Frondel, 1962). In fact, only one possible example of sedimentary amethyst is cited in the above work and even that is not described in detail and may itself have been deposited in juvenile waters. It does not seem unreasonable to suppose, therefore, that juvenile waters were the depositing medium and that passage through the Keuper Marl and underlying Coal Measures resulted in an enrichment of Silica and iron. The iron is a necessary minor constituent of quartz for the amethystine variety to form (Barry and Moore, 1964). It is postulated that the goethite needles found included in the quartz were grown after the deposition of the quartz. If the needles were grown before this deposition then one would expect to find needles which were included in two adjacent crystals and this is not the case. Furthermore, if the goethite had been grown prior to the deposition of Quartz and had subsequently been included, then one would also expect 1) 78 KEUPER MINERALS AT YATE same extraneous matter, e.g. Keuper Marl to have been included in the quartz and none has yet been found in any of the crystals. It is believed that the iron ions were derived from the haematite contained in the Keuper Marl which was entrapped at the quartz/celestine boundary and then diffused into the quartz. White (1970) showed that alkali metal ions may diffuse through the quartz lattice and since the ionic radius of the ferric ion is small by comparison (0.642), it is likely that diffusion occurs for this ion also. When the iron diffused into the quartz lattice it then reacted with hydroxyl ions which are normally present in quartz (Frondel, 1962). The diffusion of the hydroxyl ion in the quartz lattice has been demonstrated by White (1971). This type of mechanism is supported by the apparent point source origin of the included needles which in all probability coincides with a grain of Keuper Marl which served as a source of iron. The driving force for such a process is not immediately obvious, but it may well have been the small piezoelectric potentials which would have been generated in the quartz upon deep burial. CONCLUSIONS The mineral assemblage contained in the southernmost extremity of the Yate celestine deposits has been investigated. Most of the celestine boulders found there were probably moved to their present position subsequent to deposition and they do seem to contain some possible evidence for a sabkha-type origin for these deposits. The highly siliceous nature of the celestine is believed to be attributable to the circulation of juvenile waters through the deposit. Goethite found included in this quartz is believed to have been derived from iron which diffused into the quartz from the Keuper Marl. REFERENCES Barry,T.I. & Moore,W.J., 1964, Amethyst - Optical Properties and Paramagnetic Resonance. Sctence 144 289-290. Frondel,C., 1962, Dana's System of Mineralogy, 3, (Wiley, New York). Kellaway,G.A. & Welch,F.B.A., 1948, British Regional Geology: Bristol and Gloucester District (HMSO). Mine & Quarry Engineering, 1960, Celestine Production in Gloucestershire, 26, (9), 362-373. Shearman ,D.J., 1966, Origin of Evaporites by Diagenesis, Inst. Mining & Metall. Trans. Sec. B., 75, 208-215. Sherlock,R.L., 1938, Celestine & Strontianite. Mem. Geol. Surv. Spec. Rep. Miner. Resour. Gt. Br. 3rd Ed., Vol.3, Pt.2, 77-93. Thomas,1.A., 1973, Celestite Miner. Resour. Cons. Comm. Miner. Dossier No.6 (HMSO). White,S., 1970, Ionic Diffusion in Quartz, Wature 225, 375-376. : White,S., 1971, Hydroxyl Ion Diffusion in Quartz, Nature, Phys. ,’ SCL. 5 230, 192. bee Did Vibe) © PoMeB IN, Tal eA ND”: MeO-R P HO L:0O-G Y -=79 Onte EH Be 2S PeAlk Tek NA. MAUR S A BOS: 30 EF NeOcRoT > -S, OME Rs Eb. T (S*O.U.T HH. A V.OvN) BY R.W.G. CARTER (School of Btologtecal and Envtronmental Studtes, The New Untverstty of Ulster, Coleratne) INTRODUCTION The salt marshes along the Avon and Somerset coasts of the Bristol Channel are largely dominated by the cord grass Spartina townsendtt (sensu lato) hereafter called Spartina. The marshes of Bridgwater Bay have been intensively investigated by Ranwell (1961; 1964a; 1964b), and those near Aust by Large (1967). This present study examines features of the marshes between Woodspring and Portishead. The coast between the River Yeo and the River Kenn is particularly interesting because the early development of this marsh was recorded by Roper (1918; 1919a; 1919b; 1921; 1922). Also of considerable interest is the response of salt marsh development and morphology to the extreme variations in tidal and suspended sediment concentrations, experienced in the local coastal area. In many areas Spartina marshes have been planted and encouraged, both as a possible means of coastal protection and for various economic reasons (Ranwell, 1967). Hubbard and Stebbings (1967) estimate that more than 12,000 hectares of Spartina marsh exist on the British coast. These marshes were largely planted before 1935 (Goodman et al, 1959) and now form mature swards (or meadows). In several localities salt marshes appear to be in a recessiqmal phase (q.v. Goodman et al 1959; Marshall 1962; Greensmith and Tucker, 1965), which is ascribed to a variety of possible causes. These factors were considered during the interpretation of the present data. STUDY AREA The study area extended from Woodhill Bay, Portishead, to the mouth of the River Banwell, Woodspring, and is shown in Figure 1. Marsh development is not continuous along this coast, but is largely coincident with the lower alluvial shorelines. Spartina tends to colonise the intertidal zoe, which cmsists predominantly of mud (particle size ) Both types of colonisation pattern can be seen between the River Yeo and the River Banwell. Where a cliff occurs at the seaward edge of the Spartina marsh, it appears at first to indicate a situaticom in which the marsh is eroding. However this cliff could be due to depositimal effects, particularly if the seaward extension of the marsh has become neglible. The margin of the Sparttna would become raised by accretion around the base of the plants. Once a height difference between the marsh and the intertidal mud had been established, a cliff would form. This cliff would naturally act as a focus for tidal and wave action, and subse- quently assume an erosicon-type profile. The presence of depositional cliffs is further suggested by the occurrence of two landward-facing cliffs on the marsh at Wick Wharf. These are shown on the levelled profile (a) om figure 4. These cliff forms must be due to depositim effects, probably accentuated by ebb-tide scouring processes. Near the Blackstone Rocks a series of parallel creeks and marsh strips can be seen. It is regarded that these are due to tidal movements around the rocks contributing to enhanced water velocities and suspended sediment concentrations, sufficient to both maintain the creeks and build up the intervening marshes. The original 1913 plantings near the River Kenn are shown on Figure 4, profiles (b) and (c). The width of Spartina marsh is about 30 metres, and terminates to the seaward in a cliff. The marsh is 82 R.W.G. CARTER crossed by numerous small creeks, particularly where the sea wall forms the landward margin. These features are probably both depositional and erosional in origin. The cliffs appear to con- tribute clods of Spartina to the lower intertidal mud area serving for future marsh extension. It is interesting to observe that the Spartina, at this point, seems to have little effect on the erosion of the saltings. The erosio cliff of the saltings appears to be a very active feature. PORTISHEAD The Spartina marsh here is contained within the continuous Woodhill and Kilkenny Bays. There is no evidence to suggest when this marsh was established, but it is known to have been a mature sward by 1950. The marsh was surveyed using a plane table, and detail was added by taping. The results of this survey are shown in Figure 5. The vegetation is almost exclusively Spartina, but in places, particularly Woodhill Bay, this appears degenerate and covered with algae. This degeneration is possibly due to human trampling of the sward. Occasional plants of Setrpus marttimus were noted, at the landward margin of the Spartina, and it is likely these will increase in the manner described by Ranwell (1964b). By use of a method similar to that described by Morley (1973) the tidal immersion of the Spartina was investigated. The maximum submergence of the outer (lower) Spartina, during spring high tides (11-3 metres range), was calculated to be between 220 and 270 minutes (depending upon wind set-up of tides), while submergence during ordinary high tides (9-1 metres range) was between 140 and 180 minutes. About 50 tides per year will reach the landward margin of the marsh. These immersim periods agree closely with those suggested for Bridgwater Bay by Morley (1973), but are much lower than immersion durations calculated for Poole Harbour (Ranwell et al 1964, Hubbard, 1969). The marsh shows a dendritic drainage pattern, but this is confused at the lower margins of the sward by diverging as well as converging channels. This must be due to the two-way flow experienced during the ebb and flood of the tide. The establishment of specific drainage patterns is probably due to physical factors - for example, foreshore slopes, tidal velocities. Pestrong (1965) deals intensively with such processes. SPARTINA MARSHES The Woodhill Bay sward (north-easterm) shows same features of an ‘'eroding' marsh. The profile(d) (Figure 4) shows numerous creeks, usually exhibiting bank slumping and also an isolated 'island' of Spartina seaward of the main sward. This island could be the depositional expression of a nomn-expanding clump, or it could be the remant of an older, now substantially eroded, outer marsh. It is suggested that the former is more likely, for two reasons: (i) because the island has remained for at least 10 years (1963-1973) without visible signs of erosim; (ii) every similar island appears to be in the same morphological condition, no ergodic sequence of erosion being shown by such islands. The south-western or Kilkenny Bay sward is extending westwards, by clump colmisation. These clumps appear to be establishing them selves qm rocky/sandy foreshores, and then trapping mud around the roots. They are therefore altering the sedimentological regime of the Bay. The Spartina appears to be extending around the open sewer (shown on Figure 5), possibly due to shelter effects from wave action, and also an increased nutrient supply fram sewerage. CONCLUSIONS The salt marshes show a wide variety of morphology. In the area between the mouth of the River Yeo and Wain's Hill, Spartina is still extending seaward, although some replacement of this by other species is occurring at the landward margins. There is no real evidence of erosicn, although the marsh exhibits morphological features which suggest it. Such erosional facets may be due to depositim ™ a slowly extending seaward Spartina margin. These areas are obviously more susceptible to any erosional processes which might occur. It is possible that a cyclic sequence of marsh erosion and deposition (such as that suggested by Greensmith and Tucker, 1966) might occur, but there is little confirmatory evidence. The tidal immersim periods at Kilkenny Bay and Woodspring Bay Suggest that the marsh is still capable of seaward extension, towards the immersion limits suggested by Ranwell et al (1964). However, there may be peculiar limiting phenamena - wave acti, tidal current velocities - in this area which inhibit extension of the vegetated Marsh. To judge from the relative heights below high water mark (shown con Figure 4) the River Kenn swards could extend considerably further seaward, while the Wick Wharf sward has extended as far 83 84 R.W.G.CARTER seaward as the Portishead sward. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research was initiated whilst the author was at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. The author thanks Mr.R.A. Yates for early guidance, and encouragement, and also Mr.P.Thompson, Mr.D.Loughrey and Mrs.C.Carter for help with the manuscript. REFERENCES CALDWELL,P.A. 1957 Spatial development of Spartina colonies growing without competition. Amn. Bot. N.S. 21, 203-2174. GOODMAN ,P.J., BRAYBROOKS,E.M. and LAMBERT.,J.M. 1959 Investigations into 'die-back' in Spartina townsendtt agg.I. The present status of Spartina townsenditt in Britain. J. Eeol. 47, 651-677. GREENSMITH,J.T. and TUCKER,E.V. 1965 Salt marsh erosion in Essex. Nature 206, 606-607. GREENSMITH ,J.T. and TUCKER,E.V. 1966 Morphology and evolution of inshore shell ridges and mud mounds on modern intertidal flats, near Bradwell, Essex. Proc. Geol. Assoc. 77, 329-346. HUBBARD ,J.C.E. 1965 Spartina salt marshes in Souther England VI Pattem of invasion in Poole harbour. J. Ecol. 53, 799-813. HUBBARD ,J.C.E. 1969 Light in relation to tidal immersion and the growth of Spartina towsendit (s.l.) Jd. ecol. 57, 795-804. HUBBARD,J.C.E. and STEBBINGS,R.E. 1967 Distribution, dates of origin and acreage of Sparttna townsendit (s.1.) marshes in Great Britain. “Proe, bot... Soc. Br. lists) 7407. LARGE ,N.F. 1967 The significance of Spartina townsendtt at Aust Cliff. Proc. Cotteswold. Nat. Fld. Club. 35 (0) ceo. MARSHALL,J.R. 1962 The morphology of the upper Solway salt marshes. Seott. geogr. Mag 78, 81-99. MORLEY,J.V. 1973 Tidal immersion of Spartina marsh at Bridgwater Bay, Somerset. J. Ecol. 61, 383-386. PESTRONG,R. 1965 The development of drainage patterns on tidal marshes. Standford Untv. Publtcattons, Geological Setences 10 (2), 1-87. RANWELL,D.S. 1961 Spartina salt marshes in southem England I. The effects of sheep grazing at the upper limits of Spartina marsh in Bridgwater Bay. J. Ecol. 49, 325-340. RANWELL,D.S. 1964a Spartina salt marshes in southern England II Rate and seasonal pattern of sediment accretion. J. Ecol. 52, CATES RANWELL,D.S. 1964b Spartina salt marshes in southerm England III Rates of establishment, succession and nutrient supply at Bridgwater Bay, Somerset. J. Ecol 52, 95-105. RANWELL,D.S. 1967 World resources of Spartina townsendtt (sensu lato) and economic use of Spartina marshland. J. appl. Ecol. 4, 2389-256. RANWELL,D.S., BIRD,E.C.F., HUBBARD,J.C.E. and STEBBINGS,R.E. 1964 Spartina salt marshes in Souther England V. Tidal submergence and chlorinity in Poole Harbour. J. Ecol. 52, 627-641. ROPER,I. 1918 Spartina plantings at Clevedon. Kew Bull. 5, 26-31. ROPER,I. 1919a Local coast erosion and its cure. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc. 5, 46-51. ROPER,I. 1919b Spartina townsenditi at Clevedon, Somerset. Kew Bull.6, 391. ROPER, I. ROPER, I. SPARTINA MARSHES 1921 Report on the condition of Spartina townsendii below Clevedon, Somerset. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc. 5, 131-132. 1922 Spartina townsendtt at Clevedon, Somerset. 361-352. © The following figures show, respectively: Fig.l Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fitge.5 The study area of the South Avon coast. Extension of Spartina marsh between 1913 and 1967, between Wain's Hill at Clevedon and the mouth of the R. Yeo. Extent of the Spartina marsh at Wick Wharf in 1967. Typical cross-sections of the Spartina marshes. Extent of Spartina marsh within Woodhill and Kilkenny Bays, Portishead, taken from a plane table survey made in August 1967. Kew Bull.9, 85 ‘SWIG (oo ee ee eee “SING NOG3A3159 QV 3HSILYOd Swe > AV@ ANNA AVG TIIHGOOM ONIYdSGOOM LNIOd \amMuDg OSA J9AIY Jay GNVS UUSy JeAly SHD0Uu SANOLSHOV 14 ——— TH SNIVM qo o) Fe ® Ne Y Ao ae rd 87 ic Ot ‘Wain's Hill a — N N a > Tz za © “wy ) re} K AQ xe ,) = a = zp @ ; vi t oe 5 oP Spartina plantings c 1913 Spartina in 1946 SSlelill Spartina in 1967 ws Limestone outcrops 440 880 yards 250 500 750 metres FIG.2 Nt O39, JOALY 88 ee ill spuek Oy 0 (psigs = SS) Sojjow 0SZ 0 eS SS Pry ere aMuDg AOALY ff FIG. 3 pose ' WN \ ee a ae See See ae Height in metres relative to Mean Spring High Water Mark.( 0 metres.) c Sea wall + — [e) + ' Np Clay cliff + — (oe) ' — (jo) Uy l MT i) —s) ' NO 1 Ww je) | nn il HTT uC iM aa esi NGG Ua Le li a) b) c) d) il e) Wick Wharf River Yeo (sea wall) River Yeo (saltings) Woodhill Bay Kilkenny Bay 89 75 100 Distance in metres Pics 150 —Tr— sasjaw COOL 0s 0 3419 VvoOrCC Ree" spsek OOL 0s 0 a aye] SULIEW Ja@MaS i VNILYVdS 100d SNINWIMS 3TONIHS Wy ~~ - 8 Sey). ANS orf 5 7) ale Q wo LNIOd AY3LLVE anw 8 | -ai-u “U “eB =U 6 } -O =} Soot a -@ MEM PP OiRA RY jDRE ET... x.POSURES 91 OgN oj. HE Ame AUN D « Ral D GE By G.J.Colbome, D.D.Gilbertson & A.B.Hawkins The evidence supporting the concept of the glaciation of north Somerset has been described by Hawkins and Kellaway (1971) and Hawkins (1972). These authors draw attention to the presence of glaciogenic deposits south of Clevedon and on the western end of the Failand Ridge, including the East Clevedon Gap, the Court Hill Col and Tickenham Hill Col. The main erratics of the till and glacio-fluvial gravels at Kenn (ST 4269) are Chalk flints and Greensand chert. These are often the principal components of the remanié drift noted by Davies and Fry (1929) occurring at many places on the hills both east and west of Bristol. These deposits have been interpreted as the remmants of a former high level river system (Lacaille, 1970). It now seems increasingly probable that much of these high level drifts may be relics of glacial origin. At Leigh Woods, Davies and Fry (1929) describe a flint and chert gravel at a height of 250 ft. (76 m.) O.D. Near Stokeleigh Camp and Black Rock Quarry (Sea Walls)., on either side of the Avon Gorge, they refer to ‘rolled, river-worn flints' at a height of 250-300 ft. (76- 92 m.) O.D. In Leigh Woods, Hawkins and Kellaway (1971) report "patches. of structureless clay with flint and chert fragments...." Same of these have been recorded by the Institute of Geological Sciences on Sheet ST 57 SE as either "Loamy soil with fragments of flint or chert", or as patches of Head. In July 1970, a temporary excavation in the gardens at Denegarth, Leigh Woods (ST 558730) provided an exposure of drift deposits. The following section at about 340 ft. (104 m.) O.D. overlying Clifton Down Limestone was noted by D.D.Gilbertson, Fig.1 and Photo l. Untt Thtekness Desertptton 1 0.45 m. Poorly bedded, angular fragments of red stained Carboniferous Limestone (<0.3 m. long) in a red brown sandy loam matrix. Zz 0.30 m to 0.72 m. Firm red brown clay containing some angular and some rounded cobbles and boulders of Carboniferous Limestone, affected by cryoturbation. In south- west corner of the pit boulders dip due north, following the surface slope. 3 O to 0.30 m. Grey sandy clay containing small angular fragments of Carboniferous Limestone occurring in hollows. 92 G.J.COLBORNE AND OTHERS 4 0 to 0.61 m. Very stiff red sandy clay with rounded boulders (<0.3' mt lone) < 5a O to 0.30 m. Greyish-yellow silty sand merging downwards with 5b O to 0.30 m. Yellow sand with angular cobbles occurring in a large wedge shaped gap between bedding planes in Carboniferous Limestone, which close at 1.8 m. in the south-east corner. The tn sttu Carboniferous Limestone is heavily jointed; the joints infilled with red sandy loam. Unit 1 is a coarse angular head resulting from a period of intense frost shattering, probably during the Weichselian (Devensian-Last Glaciation). The poor quasi-bedding is undoubtedly due to downslope Sliding during the periglacial conditions. The red brown sandy loam which comprises the fine matrix of the head is very similar to the coversand recognised at Kenn (Gilbertson and Hawkins, in press) and the sandy horizons in the periglacial breccia deposits at Holly Lane, Cleve- don described as aeolian by Greenly (1922) and Palmer (1934), supported by Gilbertson and Hawkins (1974). These loamy sands are widespread in North Somerset, already having been recorded on Middle Hope, Worlebury, Brean Down and the Mendips (Findlay 1965). In the latter case Findlay states, "Particle-size and mineralogical investigations similar to those made by Perrin (1956) and Smithson (1953) provide substantial evidence for the accumulation of wind-blown silt of loessial character on the Plateau". The clays and sands containing boulders (Units 2-4) closely resemble much of the till examined recently in the Kenn area, except that at Denegarth the main clast constituent was limestone, and no erratics were found. The overall nature of the Leigh Woods deposits is similar to the red/brown and yellow clayey sandy silts with occasicnal Chalk flints and Greensand cherts which have been observed both overlying and occurring within fissures and solution hollows in the Clifton Down Limestone at Providence Quarry. Visits to this quarry over the last five years have shown a number of infilled hollows. Although consider- able quantities have been washed no fauna has been recovered. It is probable that at both Denegarth and Providence the drift has suffered some hillwash or solifluction movement, but they are different from Unit 1 at Denegarth, which is recognisably a solifluction deposit. During 1973 temporary works at the road junction at Beggars Bush (ST 552731) on the Goblin Combe Oolite showed clayey silts and un- consolidated sands within the limestone. Unfortunately the excavations PHOTO 1 Exposure at Denegarth 93 94 G.J.COLBORNE AND OTHERS were insufficient to be precise about the relationship of the drift to the bedrock, but the drift appeared again to be in solution hollows. Here, aS at Providence Quarry, sieve washing failed to produce any fossil evidence as to the age of the deposit. Westwards along the Failand Ridge, in order to release standing water on the Bristol-Clevedon (B3128) roadside, a soak-away pit was dug in 1971 in the hollow south of Moat House Farm (ST 487727) Fig.2. Although the geological map (ST 47) shows the area as Black Rock Dolomite the excavation proved in excess of 14 ft. (4.3 m.) of firm reddish brown silty clay with much manganese staining along the fissures and with same gravel and cobble clast of Greensand chert and iron nodules. Unfortunately this pit was being backfilled when visited. An electrical resistivity investigation undertaken by F.W.Richards suggested that the general crop of the silty clay followed the trend of the Black Rock Dolomite; although it was frequently wider than the outcrop shown on the geological map. The recent M5 Clevedm Hill excavations indicated that the Black Rock Dolomite is frequently very weathered and in some cases breaking down into a sandy soil near the discontinuities. It is possible therefore that the roadside exposure May represent a weathered surface deposit of the Black Rock Dolomite. As the deposit was not seen to cmtain anything diagnostic it may also be argued that the faster weathering of the dolomite horizo led to selective erosion, producing a hollow which now contains a relic glacial deposit. Recently another deposit 9% ft. (2.9 m.) thick has been located by G.J.Colborne during pedological studies east of Moat House Farm, ST 491729 (Fig.2). A summary description of this outcrop on the Black Rock Limestone is given below: Untt Thickness Desertptton 1 0.25 m. Top soil. 2 0.14 m. Brown to reddish brown non-calcareous silty clay loam to silty clay. Strong medium angular blocky structure. Slightly stony with gravel sized rounded quartz and sub-angular Greensand chert pebbles plus some greyish sandstone cobbles and rare blocks of weathered dolomitic limestone. DRIFT EXPOSURES 95 3 0291 m. Brown to yellow/red very weakly calcareous silty clay with heavy manganese staining. Prismatic structure frequently with a secondary-ctay on fissures. Slightly stony with small highly patinated cherts showing both sub rounded and angular faces, located mainly in pockets but with no preferred orientation within the pocket or of the pockets; few medium gravel sized rounded siliceous sandstone pebbles. 4 0.98 m. (From 1.6 m down description from Jarrett auger samples) Similar to above except the chert content appears to get less. On west wide of the pit boulders of weathered dolomitised crinoidal limestone. 5 0.05 m. Indurated, discontinuous, cavernous multi- layered iron pan. 6 Oe) = Ts Variously coloured, manganese stained, very weakly calcareous stoneless clay. Crinoid stem and Zaphrentis seen. The auger could not pene- trate further - the auger base indicating either a limestone bedrock or boulder. The position of these two outcrops at over 400 ft. (122 m.) O.D. near Moat House Farm is interesting in that the exposures occur within two miles of the deposits described by Hawkins (1972). Prior to the finding of these deposits, the steep sided nature of the Caswell valley (Fig.2) , with no apparent structural or lithological explanation, suggested a possible melt water feature. The finding of the Moat House Farm deposits, without yet checking their complete nature and extent, suggests that they may well be relic glacial material, the ice coming to the top of the Failand Ridge either from the inmediate south or up the Tickenham Valley. The textural properties of the drift deposits described are not campatible with a "normal" fluvial origin. The lack of sorting, wide range of particle sizes present, and frequent presence of erratics suggest these drifts may represent relict patches of glacial till. Understanding of the glacial events in Ava County will m@mly come by people recording significant exposures when they became available. Members of the Society are urged by the authors to record and report anything they cmsider of possible glacial origin so that in the future a complete assessment of the evidence can be made. 96 Fig 1 Exposure at Denegarth, Leigh Woods (ST 558730). Unit numbers referred to mn text Key 48 pee ; : weil Probable Till deposits Grosse Lo io Ty 0 W 20 30 40 50Metres ————— EEE) Scale ll Vatley we Cas 73 400 350 300 250 7 Tickenham p Valley ZL J ¢ * > =, we i aa a Dee \ uP. EF AR WRAXALL 0 wy 49 Fig.2. Map of Moat House Farm area showing position of probable glacial deposits. Contours in feet. DRIFT EXPOSURES keferences DAVIES ,J.A. and FRY,T.R. 1929. Notes on the Gravel Terraces of the Bristol Avon. Proc. Wtv. Bristol Spelaeologtecal Soc. 3, 162-172. FINDLAY,C.D. 1965. The Soils of the Mendip District of Somerset. Soil Memoir. Harpenden. GILBERTSON,D.D. and HAWKINS,A.B. 1974. Upper Pleistocene Deposits and Landforms at Holly Lane, Clevedon. Proc. Untv. Bristol Spetlaeolo- gteal Soc. GILBERTSON ,D.D. and HAWKINS,A.B. tn press. The Pleistocene Succession at Kenn, Somerset. Inst. Geol. Set. Spec. Report Sertes. H.M.S.O. GREENLY,E. 1922. An Aeolian Deposit at Clevedon. Geol. Mag. 59, 365-76 and 414-21. HAWKINS,A.B. 1972. Some Gorges of the Bristol District. Proc. Bristol Nive I0C. oa 167-185, HAWKINS ,A.B. and KELLAWAY,G.A. 1971. Field Meeting at Bristol and Bath with Special Reference to New Evidence of Glaciation. Proc. Geol. Ass. 82, 267-292. LACATLLE,A.D. 1954. Palaeoliths from the lower reaches of the Bristol Avonss AmiaiqNvhl.. 54° 1=27 PALMER,L.S. 1934. Some Pleistocene Breccias near the Severn Estuary. Proc, Geol. Ass. 45, 145-161. oF 98 B. 0.0, Ki. Ro EW. BeBe W The Exmoor Handbook and Gazeteer by N.V.Allen 76 pages with one pull-out map, many drawings and eleven photographs. Exmoor Press: 60p. Third Edition, 1974. This volume in the 'Microstudy' series on Exmoor, edited by Victor Bonham-Carter, is remarkably comprehensive in scope and provides something for most tastes (as a handbook should), in eminently readable style. The first chapter gives basic geographical and climatic data, sources of further information, museums, libraries and local newspapers. The second and longest chapter describes the landscape, including the rivers and the best-known localities. Then come sketches of 'Man and the Moor' from the earliest times to the present, and a short account of the literary associaticms of the Moor, devoted largely to the Domes, and giving interest- ing details of possible origins of the Doone legends. The fifth chapter is a sketch of the commoner mammals, reptiles, birds, plants and trees of the region. The final chapter deals with recreation and amenities on Exmoor. A gazetteer lists, in seven pages, a hundred and eight named places, with their National Grid references and a few salient points concering each. All the villages and towns of the Moor are included, as well as historic mouments and places of interest. A final page lists references for further study. Those interested in wild life will find the appropriate chapter a useful introductic, though of course it does not pretend to cater for the specialist. Apart from its obvious use, this is a book to be dipped into. It is a good achievement, at its modest cost. P..S.H. Boyce 99 iMittiweprsO.cos © DINGS OF “THE SOCIETY PpieRoo.t. .o FR TBS, 1862 - 1865 by P.J.M.NETHERCOTT The Society, which was founded on 8th May 1862, did not until 1866 publish its own Proceedings. Accounts of its meetings and excursions in the years 1862-1865 were supplied to the Bristol news- papers by the Secretary, and from 1863 onwards by the Reporting Secretary who was appointed for that purpose. At first a member could only keep a printed record of a meeting if he cut out froma newspaper the report which followed the meeting. This was unsatis- factory so the Society arranged, commencing with the meeting of the lst October 1863, to obtain from Somerton & Co., the publishers of the Brtstol Datly Post, for a small payment, offprints of the reports appearing in that paper. These offprints were circulated to members. This practice was followed until March 1866. About April 1866 the Society commenced separate publication of its Proceedings, the first number dealing with the meetings of January to April 1866 inclusive and carrying extended versions of the newpaper offprints for the first three months of 1866. In later years the newspaper accounts were treated as the First Series of the Proceedings, while the first separately published accounts from 1866 to 1872 became known as the Second Series. How many news- Paper accounts went to make up the First Series has never been recorded for the reason that, although the dates of all the meetings and excur- Sions could be traced, no complete collection of newspaper cuttings and offprints was known to exist. In the years 1862 to 1865 the Bristol daily papers were the Bristol Datly Post and the Western Datly Press, joined in 1865 by the Bristol Times and Mirror, being a cambination of the weekly papers the Bristol Times and the Bristol Mirror. From an early date the Bristol Daily Post seems to have been preferred medium for accounts, hence the need to obtain records from that paper of all the Society's meetings. As this paper is no longer available for inspection at Bristol the writer examined the copies at the British Museum Newspaper Library at Colindale. Of the seventeen meetings from 8th May 1862 to 9th September 1863 only a few newspaper cuttings of some of the meetings exist in the 100 P.J.M.Nethercott Society's records, or elsewhere, and it was not always clear whether these cuttings came from the Bristol Daily Post or another paper. The outcome of the search at Colindale was to establish that the ten indoor meetings were all reported in the Bristol Datly Post but of the seven excursions only two have accounts in that paper. Photographed copies were obtained of the issues bearing the accounts not otherwise available LIM Betis Ou, Here follows a list of the dates of meetings and the dates of the accounts, where such exist, in the Bristol Datly Post. Date of account in Bristol Datly Post Date of meeting Page and colum number in paper 1862 1862 P. C. 8 May (inaugural) 9 May 3 5 June 6 June 2 4 8 July (no report) 20 August 26 August 2 HT 13 September (no report) 2 October 6 October 2 4 6 November 12 November 4 4 December 8 December 2 6 1863 1863 8 January 12 January 2 5 5 February 9 February 3 4 5 March 6 March 3 5 2 April 3 April 2 5 8 May (first annual 11 May 2 7 general meeting) 16 June (no report) 21> Sully 23 July 2 7, 21 August (no report) 9 September (no report) Meetings and excursians of the Society from lst October 1863 to the end of 1865 became numerous when in 1864 Entomological, Botanical, Geological and Chemical and Photographic Sections came into being, followed in 1865 by a Zoological Section, each presenting its own programme. In spite of the arrangements with the Bristol Datly Post for the Society to have a supply of offprints no complete collection of these can be found in the Society's possession but a study of the dates of the meetings and of certain incomplete collections has established that accounts of all the meetings and excursions were covered by off- prints from that paper numbering thirty-nine in all. The normal, but PROCEEDINGS, FIRST SERIES not quite invariable, practice for these newspaper reports was to arrange fairly long separate accounts of general meetings and consolidated short accounts of sectiqal meetings covering about four weeks at a tine. Here follows a list of the offprints by reference to the dates of the issues of the Bristol Datly Post bearing the accoumts. To complete the record of the offprints the four of these relating exclusively to the Society's meetings in early 1866 are also listed. 1863 *5 October, *9 November and 7 December 1864 11 January, *8 February, 7 March, 11 April, *9 May, 20 Jime, 18 July, 19 August, 26 September, 12 and 27 October, 7 and 21 November, and 7 and 23 December. 1865 *16 and 23 January, 6 and 20 February, 6 and 22 March, 10 and 20 April, 8 and 24 May, 21 June, 2 August, 1 and 20 September, 9 and 17 October, 6 and 16 November and 11 and 18 December. 1866 8 and 22 January, 5 and 20 February, and 5 March. (The issue of 22 January bears an account of one sectimmal meeting in 1865 and three sectional meetings in 1866). The offprints are on paper of varying size, headed ‘Bristol Naturalists Society', usually followed (except for general meetings) by a sub-heading such as ‘Annual Meeting', ‘Excursion Meeting', "Sectional Meetings', as appropriate and followed again, in nearly every case, by 'From the Bristol Daily Post of ....' (date). The off- prints are in double colum, accounts of general meetings under the printed signature of W. Lant Carpenter, the Reporting Secretary, and accounts of sectional meetings under the signatures of the appropriate sectional secretaries and Mr. Carpenter. The textual accounts of the offprints correspond with the actual accounts in the newspaper, only the headings and signatures being added in the offprints and the layout being in double colum. The Bristol Datly Post was a paper of four pages only and its editor, John Latimer, remembered today for his Annals of Bristol, was certainly generous in publishing such extensive accounts of the Society's meetings. The paper had been founded in 1860, publishing daily from Monday to Friday, by the owners of the Bristol Mercury, a Saturday paper commenced in 1790. The newspapers were fused in 1878 and ceased publication in 1909. It seems that the quantities printed of each offprint would be about 300 copies. The Society has small stocks of about half of the offprints but the others are rare. A few members cut up their off- HO 102 P.J.M.Nethercott prints, discarding the headings and the signatures, and pasted the text in small notebooks. ‘Two copies examined by the writer are incomplete and the accounts have not always been wholly fram the Bristol Datly Post. Of the forty-three offprints in question, 'cut- up" copies only have been seen of the five marked * above. Accounts of the meetings between 1862 and 1865 also appeared in the Western Datly Press. Some of these are identical with those of the Brtstol Datly Post and others are somewhat shorter, while of some meetings no accounts appear at all. In the Saturday-published Bristol Times and Brtstol Mirror there are much shorter accounts of less than half of the meetings in 1862 and 1863. The Bristol Times of 12th September 1863 has a five-lines account of the excursion of 9th Sept- ember, not recorded in the other papers. This narrative must consider what matterin print may be treated as constituting the First Series of the Proceedings of the Society. Hindsight would suggest that the Society was unfortunate in giving the designatiom of First Series to an unknown number of newspaper accounts, the earliest of which are not even represented by offprints from any paper. The earliest use in print of the term 'First Series" appears to be on the outer back cover of the Proceedings published in 1905 (for 1904). This cover lists the Society's publications available for purchase commencing with "Proceedings lst Series (1862-1865). - In the form of Newspaper slips (offprints) of the Official Reports of the Reporting Secretary. Some of these are still in stock. Prices on application". The text continues by referring to the Proceedings of 1866-1872 as the 2nd Series, those of 1873-1903 as the 3rd Series and the issue in question is on its cover entitled 'Fourth Series, Vol ab Part i". The choice, however, ought to be made, and in the light of the circumstances that the fullest accounts appear in the Bristol Datly Post it would perhaps be sensible to treat the twelve accounts in that paper not represented by offprints and the thirty-nine offprints from it as making up the Proceedings, First Series. It is now possible to assemble sets of these newspaper accounts between 1862 and 1865 and when done the Society will have available, together with the Annual Reports, as full a record in print of its first four years as is possible at this passage of time. PROCEEDINGS, FIRST SERIES 103 In addition, the Society each year had printed in pamphlet form Reports of the Council as read and adopted at the Annual General Meetings held in May of the years 1863 to 1866 covering the first four years of the Society's existence. Each Report has information on the progress of the Society and the briefest of notices of meetings and excursions of the previous year together with a list of officers, a financial account, the rules and a list of menbers (without addresses). Soon after the foundation of the Society a ten-page pamphlet was also issued listing members' names and setting out the rules of the Society. There are a few inaccurate dates for meetings in these Reports and in particular W. Sanders" account of the fossil fish Holoptychtus at Portishead is wrongly attributed to the March meeting of 1863 instead of the February meeting. In the opening years of this century the late Dr.A.B.Prowse,a former President, Treasurer and Librarian of this Society, interested himself in its early history and notes he prepared when librarian considerably assisted the present enquiry. A short account of his research appears in the Library Report for 1904, part of the Society's published Annual Report for that year. The help of the British Museum Newspaper Library and Bristol Central Library in producing newspapers in their care was also much appreciated. 104 INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTRIBUTORS All matter offered for publication in the Pro- ceedings must be sent as directed on the inside front cover of the current issue. To ensure consideration for inclusion in the next issue, contributions must be received not later than February 28. All copy must be type-written with double spacing and good margins. Copy submitted is not returnable and authors are advised to keep a duplicate. At the discretion of the Hon. Editor, contributors may be required to furnish short abstracts of their communications, for printing as summaries. Photos and drawings supplied for illustrations will be returned. The copyright of all published matter shall be the property of the Society, whose Council has power to permit reproduction. Authors shall be entitled to 25 copies of their papers (without covers), free of charge. PRESIDENTS WILLIAM SANDERS HENRY E. FRIPP A GEORGE FORSTER BURDER .. JOHN BEDDOE Professor WILLIAM RAMSAY Rev. THOMAS HINCKS . Professor C. LLOYD MORGAN Professor ADOLPH LEIPNER Professor SYDNEY YOUNG S. H. SWAYNE ‘ Professor C. LLOYD MORGAN et ARTHUR B. PROWSE Cc. K. RUDGE JAMES W. WHITE G. MUNRO SMITH Miss I. M. ROPER G. C. GRIFFITHS .. ERNEST (later Sir Ernest) H. COOK H. WOMERSLEY Professor O. V. DARBISHIRE JAMES RAFTER A. L. FLEMMING . J. W. TUTCHER F. S. WALLIS Professor O. V. DARBISHIRE G. E. J. McMURTRIE : Professor MACGREGOR SKENE H. TETLEY Sir LEWIS L. FERMOR F. W. EVENS H. H. DAVIS Professor W. F. WHITTARD J. H. SAVORY R. BASSINDALE Miss M. H. ROGERS F. COLES PHILLIPS H. H. DAVIS R. J. G. SAVAGE A. F. DEVONSHIRE F. R. STERNE R. BRADSHAW S. M. TAYLOR Mrs. A. J. HOLLOWELL The dates given are those of election to office. 1862 MEMBERSHIP OF THE BRISTOL NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY Anyone interested in Natural History may apply to join the Society as a Full member. The annual subscription is £2:00. Members of the household of a Full Member may become members for an annual subscription of 75p. Persons residing outside a radius of twenty miles from the City Centre of Bristol qualify for a reduced annual subscription of £1. There are also Junior membership facilities for persons between the ages of 12 and 18 years at the reduced subscription of 50p. A prospectus giving fuller details of the privileges of the various classes of membership may be obtained from the Honorary Treasurer:— P. J. M. NETHERCOTT, 6 HazELwoop Court, HazELwoop Roan, BRISTOL BSQ IPU PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRISTOL NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY The Society has stocks of back numbers of most annual parts of the Proceedings which may be purchased at the price of £1 per part, postage extra. In addition, a Centenary History of the Bristol Naturalists’ Society, 1862-1962, being Part IIIA of Proc., 1961. Price 25p, postage extra, is still available. Application should be made to the Honorary Librarian, Bristol Naturalists’ Society, City Museum, Bristol 8. Xe OIL .42 PROCEEDINGS Bristol Naturalists’ Society Epirep By R. A. AVERY ASSISTED BY A COMMITTEE ‘Rerum cognoscere causas’”—Virgil PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY AT THE BURLEIGH PRESS, BRISTOL Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc. 34 pees) is7si| All matter for inclusion in the next issue of the Proceedings should be sent to:— Dr. R. A. AVERY, DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL, BRISTOL, BS8 IUG NOT LATER THAN. FEB. 28. Other instructions for authors appear on page I12. All Books, Pamphlets, Reports of Proceedings sent by way of exchange, gift or otherwise, and all correspondence relating thereto and to purchases of the Society’s publications should be addressed Loc Hon. LrprARIAN, BristoLt Nat. Soc., THE City Museum, BRISTOL, BS8 IRL Applications for membership of the Society should be addressed to the Hon. Treasurer:— P. J. M. Netuercort, Esq., 6 HazELwoop Court, HazELwoop Roap, BRISTOL, BSQ IPU Enquiries concerning Field Meetings should be made of the Hon. Secretary, Field Committee:— Dr. A. F. DEVONSHIRE, 59 FALCONDALE Roan, WESTBURY-ON- T'RYM, BRISTOL, BSQ 3JP All other communications should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary :— Miss A. HEcKELS, B.Sc., 8 RIDGEWwoop, KNOLL HI, SNEYD PARK, BRISTOL The SOCIETY’S LIBRARY is housed in the City Museum and is available to members between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5.30 p-m. on weekdays. _— = s - ue a a, at . ‘ j " Soigeannssonenaegen ge: Frontispiece Harvest Mouse climbing in wheat. Photograph by Stephen Dalton F.R.P.S. NOTE - The Bristol Naturalists' Society is a signatory to the Fair Copying Declaration, details of which may be obtained from The Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG. COUNCIL, 1974 President: D.H.PEREGRINE,B.A.,Ph.D. Past Presidents: F.S.WALLIS,Ph.D.,D.Sc. A. F. DEVONSHIRE,M.A. ,Ph.D. R.BASSINDALE,M.Sc. F.R.STERNE Miss M.H.ROGERS,M.A. R.BRADSHAW ,M.Sc., Ph.D. Prof. F.COLES PHILLIPS,M.A.,Ph.D. S.M.TAYLOR,B.Sc.,M.1.Mech.E. R.J.G-SAVACE,B.Sc.,Ph.D..F. LS. Mrs.A. J.HOLLOWELL,M.A.,A.M.A. Vice-Presidents: J.W,COWIE.B.Sc.,Ph.D..P oe.S% G.SWEET,M.B.O.U. Hon. Treasurer: P.J.M.NETHERCOTT Hon. Secretary: Miss A.HECKELS,B.Sc. Hon. Auditor: A.E.BILLETT Hon. Bulletin Secretary: D.W.B.FROST Hon. Circulation Secretaries: Mr. & Mrs. J.G.PRINCE Chairman, Field Committee: H.G.HOCKEY Hon. Secretary, Field Committee: A.F.DEVONSHIRE,M.A.,Ph.D. Hon. Librarian: Miss. J.M.SCHERR.B.A.,A.LJA. Hon. Editor: J.W.CONZE BSc. Ph.D. PoGes:, Hon. Schools Liaison Officer: Mrs.A.J.HOLLOWELL,M.A.,A.M.A. Chairman, Conservation Committee: K.T.BATTY Hon. Publicity Officer: Miss J.C.WEIR Officers of Sections Botanical - President A.F.DEVONSHIRE,M.A.,Ph.D. Hon. Secretary Miss I.F.GRAVESTOCK,B.A. Entomological - President G.R.BEST Hon. Secretary G.R.BEST Geological - President T .HARRISON Hon. Secretary A.B.HAWKINS ,B.Sc.,Ph.D. Mamma 1 - President R.G.SYMES B.Sc. Hon. Secretary Miss E.J.LENTON Ornithological - President J.D.R.VERNON,B.Sc.,M.B.0O.U. Hon. Secretary R.L.BLAND Junior - President J.BAINBRIDGE,B.Sc.,Dip.Ed. Hon. Menbership Secretary Miss E.J.LENTON Other Members of Council A. J.B.AS TRIDGE A.F. JAYNE R.A.BURBERRY Miss R.C.LEE Mrs.H. G.HOCKEY J.F.W.McOMIE,M.A. ,D.Phil.,D.Sc. N.P. HUMPHRIS Mrs.R.J.G.SAVAGE Ex offteto the Professors of Botany, Geology and Zoology at the University of Bristol. VOLUME 34, 1975 CONTENTS Page Council ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee 2 Reports for 1974 - Council eo oe eo ee ee oo ee 4 - Conservation Committee .. oc oe oe oe 4 - Botanical Section .. Sa ie ote ee ee 5 - Ornithological Section ., o% Ae Et ee 6 - Mammal Section oe as os os oie oe 6 - Geological Section ee es a ote os Z - Entomological Section .. a ss ae as 7 - Junior Section on ae oe oe ae oe 8 - Account of General Meetings .. ae < es 8 - General Field Meetings .. See ae - ot 8 - Librarian's Report ae oe are ate ie 3 Obituary: A.C. Leach Pe o8 ne Se als ate 10 Hon. Treasurer's Statement of Accounts, 1974 ee wha 12 Bristol Botany in 1974, by A.J. Willis oe oe oe 13 Bristol Mammal Report 1974, by R.G. Symes .. 8 oe 23 Avon Bird Report 1974 .. ae ae aie one te 29 Book Review: Limestones and Caves of the Mendip Hills .. 56 Lepidoptera Notes 1974, by A.N. Grose & K.H. Poole sia 37 The Harvest Mouse, Micromys minutus, in the Bristol Area, by) 'S.) Harris & R.G. Symes .. oe ate ee oe 63 Volcanic Clasts in the basal Inferior Oolite of East Mendip, by C.J. Alabaster & D. Wilson .. oe oe ae 73 Some Copper, Lead and Manganese minerals from Merehead Quarry, East Mendip, by C.J. Alabaster .. oe oe oe 76 Avonmouth: the vanishing habitat, by I.F. Gravestock .. 105 Instructions to Contributors .. ave jot ae ee 2 vh REPORT OF COUNC TI L, 1972 Membership at the end of the year was 827 including 64 juniors. There are 10 affiliated societies. At the Annual General Meeting the Officers and Members of Council were elected with Dr. D.H. Peregrine as President. Council are pleased to announce that Miss Joan C. Weir accepted their invitation to be Publicity Officer and that she is a co-opted member of the Council. Instead of the Annual Dinner, a Buffet Supper was held in the Royal Hotel with Dr. Ernest Neal as the guest speaker on "The Forgotten Islands of the Indian Ocean". The increasing rate of inflation has forced the society to investigate methods of saving costs and thereby postponing another increase in subscription. It was decided to reduce the cost of publishing the 'Proceedings' by using the process of off-set lithography. At the same time the bi-annual programme card was replaced by a duplicated sheet. The Society is very grateful to all those members who distribute the monthly bulletin by hand. This represents a considerable financial saving to the society. With deep regret we record the deaths of Mr. A.W. Adams, Mr. S.H.G. Barnett, Miss V.V. Cook, Mr. A.C.Leach, Miss F.E. Messiter, Lady Pugsley, Mr. J.F. Rowe and Mr. N.E. Varley. AUDREY HECKELS, Hon.Secretary REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, 1974 The survey of semi-natural areas in Avon County north of the River Avon has continued and maps indicating these areas have been submitted to the Avon Planning Authority. Longleat Enterprises applied for planning permission to construct a Cable Car Lift at Cheddar Gorge. A site survey indicated that the prop— osal could ultimately lead to damage to the rarer species of distinctive limestone flora, particularly the Cheddar Pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) . We lodged an objection, and the Somerset Trust and a number of national and local amenity bodies also objected. The District Planning Authority has refused permission, Bristol Waterworks applied for planning permission to extend an area at Littleton Clay Pits for the disposal of slurry from their treatment works. The large pond affected is an excellent hanitat for birds, part— icularly Reed Warblers and Buntings and is well used by Spring and Autumn migratory water fowl that follow the Severn Valley. We opposed the proposals and were represented at an enquiry held by the Northavon Planning Authority. Although permission was subsequently granted, certain conditions appled which we had suggested as a possible com= promise. We also have the opportunity to study the area and record ecological changes over the next five years when this provisional per- mission will need to be reviewed. The Planning Authorities were advised of the deplorable state of a rubble tipping site on Nailsea Moor and an objection was made to a proposed extension of this tipping over adjacent marshland. The North Woodspring Planners have refused the application. Following upon successful opposition in 1972 by ourselves and other bodies to the tipping of excavation materials at Bury Hill (Winter- bourne Down), an enforeement and stop notice was served by the Sodbury R.D.C., but the tipping contractors appealed. A Local Enquiry was held in February 1974 when we made further representations. The Inspector upheld the views concerning the site's natural attractions, particularly the wooded slopes, and in this respect the appeal failed. A leaflet "Recreation and Amenity' was issued by the Bristol District Council "Open Spaces and Amenities" Committee. This sought the views of the public on the use of open spaces within the District, including the Ashton Park Estate. A concise report covering Ashton Park, Blaise Castle and Eastville Park/Oldbury Court Estates was submitted, the main consid- eration being the retention of those areas as natural habitats with no commercial exploitation. The Joint Committee for Nature Conservation in Avon has passed to Avon County Planning Department detailed observations and recommend- ations on Avon's proposed Interim Development Plan. The Bristol Natur- alists made a significant contribution on those aspects of the plan related to semi-natural habitats in and around the Bristol District. The Plan is considered an interim measure providing guidance to plan- ning policy during the next three years until the Avon Planners are able to complete the new County Structure Plan. K.T. BATTY, Chatrman REPORT OF BOTANICAL SECTION, 1974 At the Annual General Meeting in the Botany Department Herbarium on 28th January, 1974, the following were elected: President: Dr. A.F. Devonshire; Secretary & Treasurer: Miss I.F. Gravestock; Committee: Dr. T.E.T. Bond, Mrs. C.H. Cummins, Mrs. N. Vaughan Davies, Mr. C.H. Hurfurt, Mr. P.J.M. Nethercott, Dr. D.H. Peregrine, Mrs. T.B. Silcocks and Dr. M.C. Smith. The following winter meetings were held:- January 28: Annual General Meeting and ‘Snowdonia and its Plants' by Dr. A.F. Devonshire. February 25: Members’ Evening and Exhibition of Herbaria. March 18: Reproduction in Flowering Plants by Dr. D. Gledhill. October 28: Members' Evening, with transparencies. November 25: Some North American Alpines, by Dr. T.E.T. Bond. The following field excursions took place, under the leadership of those shown:- March 23: Leigh Woods, to study Winter Trees. Mr. P.J.M. Nethercott. April 27: Turn Hill, Weston-super-Mare. Dr. A.F. Devonshire. May 7: Brandon Hill. Dr. A.F. Devonshire. May 25: Dolebury Warren. Mrs. N. Vaughan Davies. June 16: Rhigos and Penderyn, Vale of Neath. Dr. D.H. Peregrine. Nearly a dozen species of Carex were seen, including C. eurta, C. rostrata and C. serotitna also Trolltus europaeus, Pingutecula vulgaris, Menyanthes trifolta, Platanthera btfolta and Dactylorhtza praetermissa, the last two in a field that had not been mown for six years. June 18: University Botanic Garden, Bracken Hill, with Dr. M.C. Smith, Mrs. T.B. Silcocks. June 29: Wyndcliff and Black Cliff, Gwent. Mr. P.J.M. Nethercott. Euphorbta serratula, Neottta ntdus-avts, Carex digttata, C. montana, Campanula lattfolta, Geraneum sangutneum, Catabrosa aquattca and Chrysosplentum alterntfoltum were among the plants seen. July 3: Open Day, Long Ashton Research Station, Dr. T.E.T. Bond. July 6: Portbury Wharf. Mrs. T.B. Silcocks. Lathyrus ntssolta plentiful. July 20: Binegar Bottom and Windsor Hill. Miss I.F. Gravestock. Eleocharis untglumts and Blysmus compressus seen in Windsor Hid) marsh S:S .S'.E. August 3: Upper Ashton Park to Providence Place. Mr. C.H. Cummins. Floribus albis and Duchesnea indica in fruit were among plants seen. August 17: Box Hill ‘and ‘distriet, Mer CH. ‘Hucturt. September 14: Sorbi in Avon Gorge. Mr. P.J.M. Nethercott. Fruiting Sorbi were seen, including S.aria, S.torminalis, S. aucuparia, S.bristoliensis, S.eminens, S.anglica, S.porrigentiformis, S.wilmottiana, S.intermedia, S.latifolia, S.aria x aucuparia. October 5: fungus Horay to Westonbirt. Joint Meeting with British Mycological Society. Dr. T.E.T. Bond and Mr. Collings. I.F. GRAVESTOCK, Hon.Secretary REPORT OF ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION, 1974 The President, Secretary and Assistant Secretary were re-elected for 1974. Seven indoor meetings were held, with an average attendance of 63. They included talks on the birds of Spain, of South America, Spitz— bergen, The Eastern Mediterranean and Somerset, and on the Oyster- catcher. Twenty field meetings were held, attended by an average of 15 people; seven of them were inside the city of Bristol. In the course of the year the section contributed to the BTO Nest record scheme, returning over 500 cards, the National Habitat register, the Ringing scheme, the Birds of estuaries enquiry, and the Common Bird census. Local fieldwork included a survey of Birds in gardens, of Kestrels nesting in the city, of the status of Shelduck, and attempts to survey the tidal Avon, and the Starling roosts in Avon county. It was decided that, as a result of the changes in local govern ment boundaries, the 1974 report would be on the county of Avon. R.L. BLAND, Hon.Secretary REPORT OF MAMMAL SECTION, 1974 At the 8th Annual General Meeting held on 15th February, the follow- ing were elected: President: Mr R.G. Symes; Secretary and Treasurer: Miss E.J. Lenton; Mammal Recorder: Mr R.G. Symes; Herpetological Recor— ders: Miss J.B. Webb, Mr A.F. Jayne and Andy Buchan; Committee members: Miss J.B. Webb, Messrs Burberry, Jayne, Surch and Walker and Dr R.J.G. Savage. Six indoor meetings were held:- January 15: Annual General Meeting and members' slides. February 19: Badger Evening, by Mr A.F. Jayne. March 193 The Distribution and Abundance of Animals — with emph- asis on Reptiles, by Dr R.A. Avery. October 25:3 Dormice and Harvest Mice, by Mr S. Harris and others. November 12: Mammal Identification, by Mr R.G. Symes and the Section's committee. December 10: Moles, by Professor K, Mellanby. The average attendance at these meetings was 45. Field meetings were as follows:- January and February meetings were cancelled owing to the current petrol shortage. March 24: Hill End Camp, Oxford. Miss Elaine Hurrell. April 21 Conservation on Mendip. Miss J.B. Webb. May 3, 10, 17 and 24: Badger Watches. Mr A.F. Jayne. June 9: Lizard Count in Velvet Bottom. Dr R.A. Avery. June 23: Mammal Survey. Mr R.G. Symes. Snails V2avs The Broadmead Brook. Mrs M. Browne. August 18: Brown's Folly Reserve. Miss E.J. Lenton. September 22: The Quantocks. Mr F.H. Rawlings. October 5: Woburn Deer Park, Mr Dennis Talbot. October 27: Harvest Mouse Survey. Mr S. Harris. November 17: Dormouse Survey. Mr R.G. Symes. December 1: Mendip Walk. Members are contributing to the Mammal Society's national surveys on harvest mice, otters and dormices; also to its national distribution mapping scheme as well as to the Section's local one, E.J. LENTON, Hon.Secretary REPORT OF GEOLOGICAL SECTION, 1974 The Annual Business Meeting of the Section was held on 17th January 1974, in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University. The following were elected: President; Mr T. Harrison; Vice-President: Mr A.E. Frey; Hon. Secretary: Dr A.B. Hawkins; Hon. Field Secretary: Mr D. Hamilton; Committee: Professor D.L. Dineley, Student President of the University Geology Society (both ex-officio), Mrs Hamilton, Mr Hollingsworth, Dr Insole, Miss Pounder, Mr Thompson. The programme included:-= February 28: "Two Carbonate Environments". Dr J.W. Murray and D. Hamilton. March 14: "Hydrology of the Mendip Hills". D.I. Smith. October 17: "Gemstones". Professor Howie. November 27: "A Geologist in Arctic Norway". Dr D.L. Speedyman. The following field meetings took place:- May 26: Cattybrook Quarry. Dr P.L. Hancock. June 8: Ladye Bay and Clevedon. Dr D.L. Speedyman. live 73 Penarth Area. D. Hamilton, A.B. HAWKINS , Hon.Secretary REPORT OF ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION, 1974 The following were elected at the Annual Business Meeting on 8th January: President: B. Harper; Secretary: G. Best; all members of the section will be eligible to serve on the Committee. Recorders: Moths— K.H. Poole; Butterflies and other orders — Mr A.N. Grose. Field Meetings in 1974: May 19: Goblin Combe. June 16: Cadbury Camp. August 11: Brean Down. Indoor Meetings: September 28: Amateur Entomologists' Society Exhibition, London. November 5: Members' Evening. There has been increased interest taken in the section in the last year and it is felt that the strength of the section is better reflec- ted by the attendance at the Members' Evenings than at Field Meetings. G. BEST, Hon. Secretary 8 THE JUNIOR SECTION, 1973-1975 This is a brief account of three years activities of the Junior Section. Chris. Smith, known affectionately as "Doc", gave up the task as Leader of the Junior Naturalists in January 1972. He had devoted a great deal of time over the five years of his leadership and used up much energy in making interesting meetings. His salubrious flat became well known to many of the older members, who found him very willing to listen to their chatter and enjoy their company. We are still glad of his frequest help. In the past three years we have had ups and downs. As Leader, it is often hard to tell whether meetings have been enjoyable or successful. A visit to Cromhall with Janny Humphries produced a wonderful view of a lesser spotted woodpecker which was particularly interesting to a keen "junior" ornithologist on his first trip. A weekend at Hillend Camp at Oxford was most enjoyable, thanks to Elaine Hurrell's energy and organisation — as well as seeing muntjac deer, fallow and Sika deer, and lots of interesting butterflies and moths, eg. Purple Emper- or in Water Perry Forest, there was plenty of time and a pool to work off high spirits. April 1974 saw us in Minsmere Bird Reserve on a rath- er grey though exciting weekend due mainly to the enthusiasm of our secretary Richard Chadwick. Nearer home, we tramped the Mendips in sun and rain, plodded our way around Wetmore Reserve whilst looking for mammals, and quietly froze while waiting for badgers to appear. Our indoor meetings have covered many topics, from forestry to pond— life, exotic. islands of the Indian Ocean, local birdlife and animals. Recently we had a very enjoyable evening provided by two badger cubs and a buzzard belonging to Mr. Chaffe. We are indebted to those adults, often of our own society, and also to outsiders, who give their time willingly and freely to encourage and interest us. JOHN BAINBRIDGE, Junior Leader ACCOUNT OF GENERAL MEETINGS, 1974 Our first meeting of the year on Thursday, 24th January was an address by our President, Mrs. A. Hollowell, entitled "Living things in a Changing World". February 7: "Winter in Wisconsin" by Dr. D.H. Peregrine. Dr. Pere- grine gave an account of a severe continental type Winter when temperatures drop well below O°F. March 7: "Animals of the Australian Great Barrier Reef" by Dr. T.E. Thompson. October 3:3 "Life in Ponds and Puddles" by Dr. R.S. Wilson. November 7: "The Natural History of Australia" by M.F. Abbotsmith. Mr. Abbotsmith's main interest is conchology and he showed slides of breathtaking beauty. December 5: "Members! Evéning" - short accounts by members of their experiences in various parts of the world. - GENERAL FIELD MEETINGS, 1974 Eleven day or half-day field meetings and three evening meetings were held and were generally well attended except at the end of the year. Three mid-week rambles were also held. A list of the meetings with leaders and an indication of things seen is given below. A fuller account is kept in the records of the Field Committee. January 26: R. Curber. Peterstone Wharf, near Newport. Birds, inc- cluding a snow bunting. February 16: A.F. Devonshire. Castell Coch and St. Fagan's, Cardiff. St. Fagan's is the Welsh Folk Museum, with many old buildings and extensive grounds. April 12: A..F. Devonshire. Mgiden Castle and Maumbury Rings, Dorchester. An Iron Age Hill Fort and a Roman Amphi- theatre. May 15: D.A.C. Cullen. Nag's Head Plantation, Parkend. An evening walk to see roding woodcock, May 18: Miss R.C. Lee. South Malverns. A walk from Hollybush to the Herefordshire Beacon. June 2: H.G. Hockey. Tarr Steps to Dulverton. A walk along the wooded valley of the River Barle. June 15: Miss J. Cox and Miss C. Groves. Windsor Great Park. The party visited the Valley Gardens, Virginia Water and the Saville Gardens. June 20: H.G. Hockey. Rowberrow. An evening walk from Tyning Farm over Blackdown to Rowberrow Inn, June 26: Miss E.J. Vinnicombe. The garden at Vine House, Henbury, followed by a walk along Hazel Brook to Combe Dingle. puly 2: Miss R.C. Lee. Cadbury Camp. An evening walk from Tick- enham Hill, Walton Moor, and Walton-in-Gordano. Duly 14: Miss E.J. Vinnicombe. Shapwick. A large willow farm at Stathe followed by a visit to the Shapwick Nature Reserve. July 17: A.F. Devonshire. Abbots' Pool, Failand. An afternoon walk near the Pool, followed by a visit to Abbots! Leigh. August 17: R. Curber. Studland, Poole Harbour. The party visited the Museum and walked round the shore of Poole Harbour. August 21: Miss C. Groves. Leigh Woods. An afternoon walk through Leigh Woods and along the left bank of the Avon. September 14: H.G. Hockey. Hengistbury Head, Christchurch. The party walked round Hengistbury Head in rather wet conditions. October 20: Miss E.J. Lenton. Avon Valley. A walk from Bathford through Warleigh Woods and along the Avon Valley to Dundas Aqueduct, followed by a visit to the American Museum, November 9: R.J. Curber. Abbotsbury. At Abbotsbury the party walked by the Fleet, and saw shore birds and hares. More birds were seen at Portland causeway and Weymouth. A.F. DEVONSHIRE, Hon.Field Secretary REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN, 1974 This year has been a particularly active one for the Library Committee. The Society's decision to sell little-used foreign material, reported by the Librarian in 1971, was implemented by the sale of 28 runs of journals. The Library Committee has also been concerned with finding alternative storage for that part of the Society's collection which has been housed for thirteen years in the Queen's Building of the University. After several months of discussions, shelf space for those journals remaining from this part of the collection was very kindly provided by the University Librarian, and by Dr. J.W. Cowie. These journals are now available for members to borrow from the Undergraduate Reading Room of the University Library, and in the Geology Department. During the year, all the Society's journal holdings have been checked, various missing back issues have been purchased to fill gaps, and some ninety volumes have been sent for binding. The Society is extremely grateful for several gifts received this year, in particular, for an almost complete tcound rur: of the Proceedings 10 from the Howard Davis bequest. Ten new books heve also been purchased. 209 books and journals have been borrowed by 437 different members. We hope that 1975 will see increased use of the Library to repay the effort put in by the Library Committee and its helpers. To these, to the University Librarian, and to the Director of the City Museum, the Society continues to be indebted. JENNIFER SCHERR, Hon.Librarian OB Ee Aa A.C. LEACH Arthur Croome Leach was born in 1895. He was educated at Rugby and St. John's College, Oxford, where he read history. He served in France during the First World War; then from 1921 until he retired in 1959 he taught at Clifton College. He died on April 15, 1974. His boyhood interest in birds remained with him all his life. He joined the Society in 1929, when thirty or so members of the Ornitho- logical Section met in one anothers' houses. His paper on "The Birds of Barrow Gurney Reservoirs" appeared in the Proceedings for 193%. In 1941 he lectured to the Section on "Bird-life of the Bristol Avon" and in 1946 on "Bird=-life in North Cornwall", an account of observa- tions by the Clifton College Natural History Society during the years the College spent under war conditions at Bude. He was a major cont-— ributor to Howard Davis's paper "A Revised List of the Birds of the Bristol District", which appears in our Proceedings for 1947. He led a number of field walks for the Section and until the last few years he contributed regularly to the Bristol Bird Report and its predecessor paper. He first served as a Council member of our Society in 1937 and was a Vice-President for two periods. From 1951 to 1953 he was President of the Ornithological Section. He served as Secretary of the Society from 1959 to 1963, covering the onerous period of preparation for our Centenary and its happy and successful selebration in 1962. His work for the Society was recognised by his election as an Honorary Member in 1965. At Clifton College, with the late W. R. Taylor, also a member of A.C. LEACH dA: our Society, he actively interested boys in serious bird-watching. Several of them in adult life became prominent amateur or professional ornithologists. He outlived many of his contemporaries, H. Tetley, W. R. Taylor, Harry Savory, H. H. Davis and others, to whom the writer of this note would have been glad to turn for the portrayal of birdwatchers and their hobby of a generation ago. The latter-day naturalist will remember his tall figure, regularly to be seen bicycling about Bristol or going around with a few of his older friends to enjoy the bird- life of the surrounding district. His portrait appears in the Society's Centenary History, published in 1962. He is survived by his wife and his two sons and daughter, to whom the Society's sympathy is extended. P. M. J. NETHERCOTT EN RR a RT 7 SCOL Aaenuey Yb S2Z6t *Aaenuer OL 4 SYOOOTTS °g *L aaanseery *u0H 3991109 punoy pue pa ytpny 72 0013UI9ON “WL cd eae Be Rasen se ee amend Reweera nay Lo*gz9'z3 Zgd‘cy = Lo“ gzg9*zs ded*c O-°SOLS FO puny TeTIedg uoTz.ag TeoTboToyzTUIQ ay} pue Saaunsear} TeuoT}IAaS Aq pT3sy4 saoue[Teq p4iode1 OU Op sjUNOD.e assay, :330N €€°Loy puny suotz.esysn{{[][ Aroaeg Atazey 94} SGutpntouy * 92° 9c€ Tt 62°29 soz} TUWOD PTeTY FO spuey uy Sg 00° 00% spuog sOutaes yst}tig % OOTF . 00% oL°o%, yueg sButaeg [euoT}eN UT }ISOodaqg 6€£ S9°etl zunosoe ytsodap ‘yueq ut yse9 LHe e9° HOT GLZ°EL senbeys pareatoun sseqT ZE°gtt qunosoe yUuaIandS ‘yueq uT YseD Oct :}zUNOD0e 4xX9U 0} SadUReTeg “66 g6°066 qunoo0e 4yseT worsy aoUueTegG 6€c'L “2 os*¢ puny suotzeszsn{T][ Aazoaeg ATTeY 9Y} OF SUOT}NGT1}2U00 SuaquayW Z 00° OT aotune 00° gz spuog uo 34set194Uur Yd 00° 0% TeorboToyzyTUsO Gt yueg sButaesg [euoT}eN wos 4seaozUT Zz 00°Sz2 Teuwey 92°99 yunoooe yIsodep uo 34se193UT Ly 00° OT TedtTboToay Sg°6 asuutg uo zyTfoig €t 00° OT Teotuezog 06° seBpeq so ates T tSUOT}IAG 0} SzZUBID Sot - - qIJOIg +:30}}3TMMOD PTeTy 8 Sy°dt SSOT +99}}TUWMOD PIOTY 92° 681 24H ‘t = 5= s6utjeow [Te19ueH Jo sasuadxe pue saiey 1 if ———— 0 °929 “NA° N°M’S O4N}zeN «10 ToUNoD 0} SUOT NQT43U0 GT°TT + n° N°M’S FEN F Tt D OF TynqTt4szUOD ey zg°ez sates ‘ 76°62 szuTsdgy zo (Os 00° 9€T szues9 s6utpsss01g €Zt 00°s (Aazeaqty) eoueinsut o1Ty x So°0 (woor AaeIgtT JO) zUsY Gz°Oo suot}eu0g q Z°gy s[Teusnol 4soT so yUswWedeTday 09°Tt9 °03@ sTeuinof 10x suorzdt49sqns gs OS* Hee ‘Tt o2z2‘t eL°eS syoog 16 *t SeTPETIOS pozPeITITSV 6r 20°T 64 (szutadggo Burpntout ‘¢€26t) sbutpesso1g Tto‘T ae szotune ge : OO*LE soa zeToossy dt haere 987 00° 7E siequey Sutpuodsett08) gz G2° Or ployesnoy owes 343 so suequew [TINY 06 g6°2S2 eauoydete} pue sebeysog tee OO°9ET ST saoquew TInNd gZo‘t at °99% Azauot}zeys pue Butzutsag Te1d8uay S92 suotzdtaosqng ,s1squey 3 g 3 3 3 3 €L6L €L6t 726 YAGWADGd TE GAGNA YVAA AHL YOA SINNODOV 12 BR Sot O L °B OT ANY 1000 ppm.Eu (Goldschmidt, 1954). Sr is present in both the coloured and uncoloured cerussite. Rare earth elements are fairly abundant; more so than some of the commonly used non-ferrous metals. They tend to be concentrated in amphi- boles, pyroxenes, epidotes and early formed K-felspars (Goldschmidt, 1954). Weathering of these effects concentration of rare earths in the hydrolysate minerals such as the manganese and iron oxides. The Moons Hill andesite, a Silurian eruptive, now exposed in the core of the Beacon 83 84 MEREHEAD QUARRY MINERALS Hill anticline, is a possible source. Merehead is only two miles, and down dip, from this body. The lack of green or yellow cerussite from Higher Pitts may be explained by the absence of any nearby rare earth source. There are no know igneous bodies near Priddy. Due to the absorbitive properties of MnOo a slight enrichment in Rare earth elements (above the general background level) may have occurred within the Mn ores at this locality. If this is so, the levels present may not be sufficient to effect coloration of the cerussite (c.f. Wulfenite). The coloration in the yellow Hydrocerussite is less easily accou- nted for. The crystal structure of this mineral is such that substi- tutions of Pb. by Ba, Sr, and the Rare earth element is very difficult. L. Meister showed that white lead, artificial 2PbC0 .Pb(0H) » may acquire a yellowish tinge on standing in the dark. this colour is bleached on exposure to light (L. Meister, in Mellor, 1929). This is probably a structural colour, caused by a crystal lattice defect. It is possible that stabilization of this coloured modification by some impurity may be the cause of the colour in the, yellow, “hydrocerussite" from Merehead. Hydrocerussite was first recorded in 1877 from Langban, Sweden. Prior to its discovery in large amounts at Higher Pitts (Spencer & Mountain 1923) it had only been found, sparingly developed, at a few localities. In the Mendips it usually occurs as snow white, vitreous to pearly crystalline masses. When crystallized, it occurs as thick tabular {0001} crystals or clusters of thin, snow white scales, flattened {0001}, with hexagonal outline. Well formed crystals are abundant in the calcite nodules of No. 2 vein. Small lenticular crystals are occasionally found, but these are uncommon, Similar crystals were recorded from Higher Pitts (Spencer & Mountain 1923). Steep sided, hexagonal bipyramidal crystals {0001} often appearing to have been built up of layers of the thin hexagonal scales, are quite common. When {0001} is small, they are Similar in shape to the bipyramidal cerussite crystals. Some of these may be corroded pseudomorphs of cerussite after hydrocerussite, Large barrel-shaped crystals, appearing to have been built up from the hexa- gonal crystals are also found. A thin layer of cerussite, often repeatedly twinned, is developed on the surface of the tabular hydrocerussite crystals, These twin lamellae are commonly arranged into radiating or fan-like groupings, in the plane of {0001}. The lamellae in any one group are not usually continuous with those in another. Close examination of these clusters shows the lamellae to be arranged in parallel bands. Each band is commonly orientated at either~15° or ~30° to the one on either side (see Figs. 5a, b). This would suggest a definite crystallographic orientation between the cerussite, derived by alteration, and the parent hydrocerussite. In any one group, the point of origin of the radiating bands does not always coincide with some obvious feature on the surface of the hydrocerussite crystal. Crude lamellae are some- times developed on the massive hydrocerussite and on the dipyramidal crystals. Lamellae arranged in a triangular pattern were seen in eoeiee to these radiating groups, at Priddy (Spencer & Mountain 1923). Mendipite Pb Cl, orthorhombic 3°2 One of the earliest references to this mineral is given by J. Wood— ward, in 1728, in his bock "Catalogue of English Fossils" in which mendipite is reported to occur "near Bristol". It was not classified C.J. ALABASTER as a distinct mineral until 18243 when Berzelius described and analysed samples from Churchill, nine miles S.E. of Priddy. The mendipite at Priddy does not seem to have been noticed until about 1890 (H.B.Wood= ward). It has since been found at Langban, Sweden, in the Altai Mts. of Siberia, and at the Kunibert Mine, Westphalia. It is the commonest oxychloride mineral at Merehead. Mendipite occurs as irregular lumps, cavity fillings, and thin veinlets in the black manganese oxide ore. It appears to be more abund= ant in No. 1 vein than in No. 2 vein. It is always surrounded by a hydrocerussite alteration rim, this in turn locally altering to coarsely erystalline cerussite. When broken open, the perfect prismatic cleav— ages (100) (110) (010) are seen, giving the appearance of a columnar or fibrous aggregate. The cleavages continue right across the mineral ending abruptly at the surface. The cleavage traces often show a tend- ency to fan out at one end. No distinct crystals have been found, The nodule may only contain one crystal individual but usually two or three are present, more in the highly irregular lumps. Mendipite is a brittle, dense (6.8), soft (~2.5) transparent to translucent mineral with a white streak and pearly to silky lustre on the cleavage surfaces. A vitreous lustre is developed on the irregular cross=fracture. The mineral varies in colour from white to creamy-yellow, although a red or purple tinge is often seen in some parts of the crystal. With prolonged exposure to strong light the colour fades, suggesting that a crystal lattice defect may be partially responsible for the colour. Under similar conditions some specimens are reported to develop a reddish= brown surface colouration (Mellor, 1929, p. 741). Manganese oxide stain- ing, accompanied by partial alteration to hydrocerussite is occasionally developed along the cleavage traces. Other minerals, notably diaboleite, chloroxiphite, and occasionally crednerite may be developed within the mendipite. There appears to be no preferred orientation of these min= erals with respect to the longitudinal mendipite cleavages. Mendipite is biaxial + ve with 2V~90°, non pleochroic and shows straight extinction. It has a very high refractive index and the prismatic cleavage fragments are length slow. Mendipite occasionally appears to show partial alteration to paral- aurionite Pb(OH)C1. This mineral occurs as soft waxy, pale yellow cryst-=- alline masses which grade into the mendipite: Considering the abundance of hydrocerussite as an alteration produce of mendipite, the absence of the chemically related mineral phosgenite PbCO,.PbCl., is strange. The unit cell of paralaurionite is related in ae Bayh SERS ae that of matlock= ite PbFCl (Wykoff:, 1964). The structural similarity between matlockite, hydrocerussite and phosgenite (Sjogren, 1926) has been disproved. Mat-— lockite is not a lead oxychloride as was previously thought (Nieuwenkamp, 1933). Recent works on the structure of mendipite (Gabrielson, 1958) may explain the absence of phosgenite. The unit cell of mendipite contains 4 Pb 0,01, units (Bannister 1934). The lead atoms are arranged in two groups of six, occupying the corners of two tetrahedra which are linked together along one edge. The oxygen atoms occupy the centres of these tetrahedra which are held together by strong covalent Pb-O bonds. The two Pb,0, tetrahedra in each unit cell share a common edge with one tetrahedron in the adjacent cell above and below, forming long chains in the direction of the C-axis. Strong Pb-O bonds hold the chains together longitudinally. The Cl atoms are sited in the channels between these chains, relatively weak ionic Pb=Cl bonds holding the chains together laterally. The prismatic habit and perfect longitudinal cleavages are manifestations of this structure (Gabrielson, 1958). Breakdown of the mendipite lattice will commence at 85 86 MEREHEAD QUARRY MINERALS the weakest parts. These are likely to be the weak interchain Pb-Cl bonds. Alteration along the cleavages and pitting of the cleavage surfaces is often seen in Merehead specimens. Removal of the relatively weakly held Cl ions might be expected early in the alteration process. This would probably precede attack on the Pb,O, chains. The structure would thus be depleted in Cl at the points of 41 teration, rendering the formation of hydrocerussite more likely. Limited substitution of Oh by Cl has been reported in hydro- cerussite (Dana, 1934). If the early formed relatively Cl rich solutions were not dispersed, subsequent breakup of the Pb, 0 chains would produce hydrocerussite which would be amenable to Cl substttution. Simple sub- stitution of this type might also be expected to favour the formation of phosgenite. That paralaurionite was formed instead is probably due to local conditions at the site of alteration favouring the formation of this simpler structure. Mendipite from No. 2 vein, showing partial alteration and pseudomorphism of the prismatic habit by the yellow, chloride bearing "hydrocerussite", may be breaking down to some simpler oxychloride in this way. An as yet unidentified lead oxychloride having a superficial resemblance to asbestos is occasionally found in some of the calcite nodules, a cerussite/hydrocerussite alteration rim always being present. When broken open these nodules show an internal structure very similar to that found in mendipite. It is a dense, soft #2) translucent, colourless to white mineral with white streak and vitreous to silky lustre. A perfect prismatic cleavage is developed. Cleavage fragments consist of thin silky flexible fibres. The fibres extend right across the nodule, ending abruptly at the surface. The silky fibres are similar in appearance to those of asbestos, are soluble in 1:7 HNO, with no eff- ervescence, and cleavage fragments are optically length slow. A good optic figure could not be obtained on the fibres, but they appear to be biaxial. X-ray diffraction analysis shows this mineral not to be mend— ipite. Pseudomorphism of the overall fibrous habit by white hydro- cerussite is occasionally seen. Chloroxiphite 2Pb0.Pb(0H),,.CuCl, monoclinic Chloroxiphite is a rare mineral, first described in 1924 by Spencer & Moutain from Higher Pitts farm, Priddy. To date, Merehead is the only other locality from which it has been recorded. It is an olive to epi- dote green mineral, soft @2.5), dense (6.9), very brittle, with a res— inous to adamantine lustre, and characteristic yellowish green streak. Two cleavages {101} {100}are developed, {101} being prominent. The original material described by Spencer & Moutain consists of elongated [_010_]bladed crystals flattened {101}, developed as sub-parallel groups and single crystals embedded in mendipite. The crystals, the largest of which measured 3 cm x 1 cm x 1 mm, appear to show no preferred orien- tation relative to the longitudinal mendipite cleavages. These crystals may, however, have developed along potential mendipite crystal faces. Interlaminations of chloroxiphite, mendipite, and diaboleite are occa-= sionally seen. Rough striations] 010 Jon {101} are visible in good crystals (Spencer & Mountain, 1923). Twinning has not been reported. Under the microscope, chloroxiphite shows straight extinction] 010 |, vivid polarisation colours. and strong pleochroism. Cleavage fragments and crystals lying on] 010 Jare emerald green for vibrations parallel Bronte, 3 and brown for vibrations across the erystals (Specer & Mountain, 1923). The optic figure is biaxial negative, with 2V=80°. The simil- arity in habit, cleavage, pleochroism, and degree of symmetry to that C.J. ALABASTER 87 of epidote has been noted by Spencer. The mode of occurrence of chloroxiphite at Merehead is similar to that at Priddy. It is sparingly distributed, mainly occurring in Cu- rich Mn-oxide pods in both No. 1 and No. 2 veins. In these pods it may be relatively abundant. Although usually occurring in mendipite, this mode of occurrence is not universal. Specimens:from Priddy (Kingsbury Coll. M13 Bristol Mus.) show corroded bladed crystal aggregates embedded in emerald green copper stained hydrocerrusite. Two small specimens from No. 2 vein show chloroxiphite occupying small cavities in the calcite nodules, and very minor amounts of white hydrocerussite are associated with them.. Some specimens from Merehead (No. 2 vein) have a cross-hatched appearance visible in the plane of the {101} cleavage, suggestive of twinning, but no evidence of twinning was seen in thin section. Two sets of striations at~80° are visible and extinction is parallel to these. They are probably cleavage traces. A difference in pleochroism was seen in one elongated fragment when parallel to the N-S crosswire of the microscope. One end was green whilst the other was greenish brown. This suggests that the cross hatching is due to intergrowth of two sets of crystals at~90° to each other (Fig. 3). Alteration of chloroxiphite usually results in a dull, compact, green intimate mixture of cerussite/hydrocerussite and malachite. This material occurs at the edges of the crystals and may pseudomorph the chloroxiphite blades when these project into the cerussite /hydro- cerussite mendipite alteration rim. Similar pseudomorphs of a dull blue compact microcrystalline material, possibly an intimate mixture of diaboleite and hydrocerussite were noted on the type material (Spencer & Mountain, 1923). Diaboleite 2Pb(0H)5.CuClo Diaboleite was first recorded and described from Higher Pitts farm by Spencer & Mountain in 19243. It occurs embedded in mendipite, often in intimate association with chloroxiphite. It has since been found as well formed crystals up to 1.5 cm diameter in the 500 ft.level of the Mammoth Mine, Tiger, Arizona (Palache 1941). At this locality it is associated with other secondary lead and copper minerals. These include wulfenite, cerussite, hydrocerussite, linarite, dioptase, phosgenite, | boleite, and a white acicular mineral. Merehead is the only other locality from which diaboleite has been recorded. It is a light blue, soft (2.5), brittle, dense (5.32) mineral, having one good cleavage | 001 _]|,conchoidal fracture, and pale blue streak. The lustre is vitreous to adamantine on crystal faces, becoming pearly on cleavage surfaces. It is transparent and resembles both linarite and azurite in appearance. It may be readily distinghished from these by its uniaxial negative figure, given on sections viewed normal to the {001} cleavage, and by microchemicgl tests for Pb, Cu, Cl. In its optical and physical properties it is very similar to the boleite, pseudoboleite, cummingtonite group of minerals. Boleite has a greenish tint in transmitted light, diaboleite is pale blue. All are uniaxial negative and approximate to the formula Pb(0H)o.CuClo. With the limited amount of pure material available to them, Spencer & Mountain found a significant difference in specific gravity and chemical composition in their mineral. At both Mendip localities, diaboleite occurs embedded in mendipite, often as single poorly formed prosmatic crystals or as sub=parallel prismatic crystal groups. Interlaminations of mendipite, diaboleite 88 MEREHEAD QUARRY MINERALS and chloroxiphite are occasionally seen. It may occur as an alteration product of chloroxiphite. In this form it.is a dull, compact, fine grained, pale blue aggregate, possibly a mixture with some other mineral, replacing, and occasionally pseudomorphing, chloroxiphite crystals (Spencer & Mountain, 1923). This is also seen at Merehead. It appears to be more stable than the other oxychloride minerals, pale blue spots of crystalline diaboleite occurring in both hydrocerussite and cerussite. At Merehead it is found developed in paralaurionite. The paralaurionite appears to have been derived from the mendipite into which it grades. No preferred orientation between paralaurionite and diaboleite is apparent. Well-formed crystals are rare at either Mendip locality. Spencer & Mountain recorded three small poorly-formed crystals from Priddy, and one has been recorded from Merehead. The latter, developed on paralaurionite, shows hemimorphism, with square striations parallel to the crystallographic axes developed on the large negative pedion. These features are characteristic of diaboleite (Palache). The positive pedion is small or absent, this end of the crystal being dominated by a large 2nd order pyramid. Viewed normal to (001) the crystal is square in outline, as opposed to the octagonal form commonly seen in crystals from Arizona (Palache). Paralaurionite Pb(OH)Cl monoclinic This mineral was first recorded from Laurium, Greece (Smith, 1898). It had formed as a result of the action of sea water on ancient lead slags. At this locality it is found with phosgenite, fiedlerite Pb3(0H)C14, penfieldite Pbj0H Clz, and the polymorph, laurionite. It occurs with phosgenite, laurionite and anglesite at Wheal Rose, Sithney, Cornwall, where lead lodes have been permeated by sea water (Russell, 1927). To date, Merehead is the only other British locality. It is a soft (1.5), dense (6.15) mineral, showing a single perfect eleavage {100}, vitreous to adamantine lustre, and white streak. The cleavage surface is very similar in overall appearance to that of selenite. Transparent to translucent paralaurionite, is usually colourless. White, or rarely green or violet (rafaelite) tinged varieties are known from other localities (Dana, 1934). Rafaelite is strongly pleochroic. Para-= laurionite is not brittle, crystals and cleavage flakes bending readily about[ 010 |. In this respect it resembles phosgenite (tetragonal), the latter flexing about directions perpendicular| 001 |. Although mono— clinic, paralaurionite usually forms pseudorhombic crystals, the result of twinning on {100} with (100) as the composition plane. They are commonly thin, tabular {100} or elongated [ 001 ]with wedge-shaped or rectangular terminations (Palache, 1934). No crystals have been recorded- from Merehead. Paralaurionite is very rare at Merehead. Most of the specimens have come from an iron-rich manganese oxide pod in No. 1 vein. It occurs as translucent, sulphur yellow corroded crystalline masses within cerussite/hydrocerussite lined cavities in the brownish black Manganese oxide ore. A specimen now in the University of Bristol Geology Department Museum which was collected several years ago by Dr. I.S. Loupekine shows paralaurionite in close association with mendipite. The paralaurionite appears to grade into this mineral, the prismatic habit of the mendipite being traceable for a short distance laterally into the paralaurionite. This relationship suggests alteration of the mendipite to paralaurionite. Prismatic diaboleite crystals are developed in both minerals. The apparent C.J. ALABASTER stability of diaboleite (Spencer & Mountain, 1923) may explain its resistance to alteration. along with mendipite. The association of diaboleite with paralaurionite is rare, the Collins vein, Mammoth Mine, Arizona, being the only other recorded locality. The sulphur to lemon-yellow colour of the Merehead samples is anomalous (Embry, private communication 1975). It is non=-pleochroic. Paralaurionite is biaxial negative, with medium to large 2V. {100} sections show anomalous interference figures; the result of twinning. Untwinned crystals are not common (Palache, 1934). Paralaurionite and laurionite are identical in chemical compos- ition, and commonly occur together, but they differ markedly in physical and optical properties. Laurionite is hard (3-3.5), dense (6.24), non pleochroic, and possesses true orthorhombic symmetry. The crystal habit is similar in both minerals, but laurionite does not flex or give an interference figure on {100}. Parallel striations [021 Jon {100} are sometimes found on laurionite. To date, this mineral has not been found at Merehead. The factors that determine which paramorph crystallises are not fully known. Paralaurionite readily alters to cerussite. Microcrystalline cerussite occurs both picking out the cleavage traces and as an alteration rim round the sulphur-yellow Merehead material. Para— laurionite is the more stable of the two paramorphs. lLaurionite, fielerite, penfieldite are all either soluble in or slowly decomposed by cold water. This may partially explain their absence from the Mendip region. Blixite Pb, 6C1,(0.0H),¢_.° where x~2.6. Orthorhombic Orthorhombic Blixite, first recorded from L@ngban, Sweden, in 1923, was not described until 1958 (Gabrielson et al). It occurs as thin yellowish crystalline coatings of fissures in hausmannite impreg~ nated dolomite in the "Amerika" stope, L@ngban. It is one of several yellowish oxyhalide minerals occurring at this locality. These include Nadorite, SbPbOoCl, ecdemite, PbgAso0 Cly, heliophyllite, Pb As07Cl ’ sahlinite, Pb, (1804 )09.c1 » and perite, PbBi0eCl. None of these hatte yet been recorded from Merehead. To date, Merehead is the only other locality from which blixite has been recorded. It is a dense (7.35) soft (~3) orange-yellow to pale yellow mineral with pale yellow streak and one good cleavage, of uncertain’ crystallo-= graphic orientation (Gabrielson et al. 1958). It has a vitreous to dull lustre, becoming resinous on the uneven fracture surface. Translucent when crystalline, no crystals have to date been recorded from either locality. It does not fluoresce under ultra-violet light. It is non- pleochroic with high refractive index and gives a biaxial negative figure: 2V~80° (Gabrielson et al. 1958). At Merehead blixite is sparingly developed in both veins, but appears to be more abundant in No. 2 vein. It occurs as sugary to coarsely crystalline pale yellow to reddish orange masses, often with a slightly mottled appearance. It has been found in No. 1 vein in the iron rich manganese oxide pods. It occurs in hydrocerussite-lined cavities within sparry calcite bands in the black manganiferous iron ores. It also occurs in the nodule like structures developed in the purer manganese oxide in these pods. An alteration rim of white micro- erystalline hydrocerussite is invariably developed round this mineral. In No. 2 vein, it occurs as cavity fillings and veinlets in the calcite nodules. Alteration to hydrocerussite is usually in an advanced state. Dense white sugary masses of hydrocerussite containing patches of pale yellowish-orange unaltered blixite are commonly found. These 89 90 Malachite / Hydrocerussite pseudomorph Twinned cerussite C :-Cerussite HC:-Hydrocerussite Cr:-Crednerite Cx:-Chloroxiphite Db:-Diaboleite —— MANGANESE oxXIDE “Crosshatched” Chloroxiphite Fig. 3. Diagram to show the relationship between Mendipite and some of the other lead and copper minerals. Fig. 4. possibly representing replacement or intergrowth of Blixite by Mendipite. Fig, 5. Lineation in Blixite, A:- Twinned Cerussite on Hydrocerussite 8B :- Arrangement of twin Lameilae in a typical cluster Bx :- Blixite Cx :- Chioroxiphite HC :- Hydrocerussite M_ :- Mendipite Db :- Diaboleite 5mm Use se scale Arrangement of Cerrusite twin lamellae on Hydrocerrussite. ppl 92 MEREHEAD QUARRY MINERALS lumps may reach 25 cc in volume. Occasionally the hydrocerussite has recrystallised. White barrel-shaped hexagonal crystals made up of aggregates of the thin scaly crystals are developed on the altered blixite. Other minerals are occasionally found associated with blixite. These include crednerite, sometimes seen as small platy crystals growing into the blixite (No. 1 vein); and chloroxiphite, mendipite, and diaboleite. One specimen (Bristol Museum No. Da5799) shows mendip= ite in direct contact with blixite. Chloroxiphite blades thrust into the blixite, the major portion of each crystal being embedded in the mendipite. Very small crystals showing good outline are completely enclosed in the blixite. Smell spots of a light blue mineral, well removed from any of the other copper minerals are seen in the hydro- cerussite alteration rim. This mineral may be diaboleite. Similar blue spots occur in this position in other specimers of blixite. Close examination of the blixite/mendipite contact reveals a lineation in the blixite (depicted by a slight cclour/textural difference from the rest of the blixite) which is continuous with the longitudinal mendipite cleavages (see Fig. 4). This would suggest replacement of the mendip- ite by theBlixite. Microchemical tests on this zone show the presence of Cl , Pb, and CO » which suggests that this region is ccmposed of an intimate mixturé of blixite and hydrocerussite. Whether this lineation’ shows the former presence of a mendipite/blixite intergrowth, or a simple replacement of mendipite by blixite could not be determined. Blixite is soluble in nitric acid (1:7), and gives positive reactions for lead and chlorine. Spectrochemical analyses have shown the presence of small amounts of As, Sb, Bi, Mg, Mn, Fe, and the alkali metals. X- ray powder photographs (Gabrielson et al. 1958) have shown it to be structurally similar to nadorite (SbPbO>.C1). It is suggested that blixite may be a distorted modification of PbSbOoC1l, where lead has replaced antimony, and at the same time the O-positions in the unit cell are vacant or partially occupied by hydroxyls. Nadorite associated with jamesonite has been recorded from Bodannon Antimony Mine, St. Endellion, Cornwall (Russell, 1923). Crednerite Cu MnO, Monoclinic. Crednerite was first described from Friedrichroda, Thuringia, by Credner in 1847. Analysed by Rammelsberg, it was also described by Hausmann under the name "Mangankupferoxyd" in his book "Handbuch der Mineralogie" published in the same year. At this locality it occurs as black, foliated crystals, associated with volborthite, Cu Ca (vo )3» baryte, calcite, cerussite and various Mn oxides. It was found developed on the outside of "nodules of lead ore" between the cerussite and the enclosing wad. No other localities for crednerite were known until it was recorded by Spencer & Mountain from Higher Pitts in 1923, It has since been reported from Calistoga, California; Idilel and Tashgagalt, Morocco; and Merehead. The formula CuMn05 was not firmly established for the naturally occurring material until 1966 (Gaudefroy et al, 1963). Crednerite is a dense (5.34) brittle fairly hard «4 ) iron black mineral, with sooty black streak, and bright metallic lustre. Well formed crystals are rare. In the Mendips it commonly occurs as rad-= iating or sub=-parallel groups of thin platy crystals, flattened parallel {001}, developed at the contact between the lead carbonates and the cavity wall or lining (c.f. type locality). It is most commonly found associated with hydrocerussite or, to a lesser extend, cerussite. At both Mendip localities, it occasionally occurs in mendipite, as small 1-2 mm diameter spherules with a radiating internal structure. The C.J. ALABASTER largest known crystal of crednerite, a poorly found crystal measuring 4 x 3 x 6 cm was found by Kingsbury in 1940, at Higher Pitts. Two sets of cleavages are developed. The most prominent cleavage is that parallel to the platy surface {001}. A second set, developed along 3 sets of mutually intersecting striae on {001}, cut this face at 76°. These striae are the result of rotation twinning on a (411) Law, (001) probably being the composition plane (McAndrews, 1956). In a crystal twinned twice on this law, the three directions of striae on the parallel (001) faces are at angles of 56, 56 and 68°. This would account for the pseudo-hexagonal outline of some of the crystals of crednerite described by Spencer & Mountain (McAndrews 1956). Treatment with 1 = 1 HCl enhances the hexagonal pattern formed by these striae on otherwise smooth (001) cleavage surfaces. Very occasionally, these twinned crystals may assume a hexagonal, stellate habit, a feather-like structure being developed in the radiating arms. This appears to occur where the mineral has developed in a narrow crack in the Mn ore, (Bristol Museum No. Da5597). Crednerite undergoes progressive alteration, by leaching of Cu, to a copper-rich psilomelane. In the early stages, the crystal structure of crednerite is still preserved. The electrical imbalance in the molecule, caused by the removal of Cu, is compensated for by the oxidation of some of the Mn to the tetravalent state (Gaudefroy et al 1963). This partially altered crednerite is identical in hand specimen to the fresh mineral. Microprobe analysis shows it to be composed of a mixture of amorphous Cu and Mn oxides, and patches of unaltered cred- nerite. Crednerite from the Mendips largely consists of this pseudo= morphous material. Due to the heterogenous nature of the Mendip crednerite, both the formula, CuMn,0, and density, 5.03, given by Spencer & Mountain, were in error (cdudefroy et al, 1963). X-ray data in the ASTM powder-file index is based on Mendip specimens. Iron, which is detected in some analyses of crednerite, is present as a contaminant. Substitution of iron for manganese does not seem to occur. Delafossite, CuFeO5, is not isostructural with crednerite (Gaudefroy et al, 1963). Alterations of the copper oxides, produces malachite, which occurs as tufted hemispherical masses and small prismatic crystals developed along the cleavages and on the surfaces of the platy crystals. Azurite occasionally occurs in small amounts. Under aerobic conditions, crednerite is metastable at NTP. It only becomes the stable form at temperatures above 970°. At Tachgagalt, its common association with manganite, MnO.OH, with total absence of poli- anite, Mn05, suggest that it formed under low-temperature, possibly reducing conditions (Gaudefroy et_al, 1963). CuMno0, readily forms in air on heating crednerite above 300°C. Under oxidizing conditions this compound might be expected to form instead of crednerite. To date this species has not been found in nature. However, CaMn20,, Marokite, does occur at Tachgagalt. It occasionally forms narrow alteration rims round some grains of crednerite. It is suggested that at some stage after the formation of the primary Mn oxides, the environment became sufficiently reducing for crednerite to-form. This phase would predate the formation of the oxidized minerals with which crednerite often occurs (Merehead, Higher Pitts, Idikel, Friedrichroda). At Tachgagalt no oxidation mine- rals are found and the crednerite is largely unaltered. In theory, it is possible for both crednerite and the oxychlorides to be forming at the same time. On exposure to an aqueous solution of chloride ions, MnO5 will form MnClo, under slightly acid conditions. Reaction of MnClo with any simple lead salt, e.g. PbC6z might be expected to produce MnO, PbCl5 and some lead oxide=chloride compound. 93 94 MEREHEAD QUARRY MINERALS The relative quantities tormed would depend largely on local variations in eH and pH. MnO is only stable under anaerobic conditions. Such conditions, which may be reducing, are often found in some parts of narrow, deep submarine fissures, where water circulation is restricted. The presence of blue pyritic clay of Rhaetic+Jurassic age, which occurs in some of the unmineralized fissures at Merehead, confirm that such conditions locally prevailed. Reaction of the MnO with copper ions, remobilized during the crystalization of the MnOo gels, could produce crednerite. Such a mechanism may account for the small spherules of crednerite that are found embedded in the mendipite at both Higher Pitts and Merehead. However, the common mode of occurrence of crednerite, as sheaves of crystals gowing out from the cavity wall, does suggest that formation of this mineral largely predated the development of the hydro- cerussite and other minerals with which it is associated. Crednerite is not a mineral formed in the zone of oxidation as was previously thought. In No. 2 vein an as yet unidentified mineral bearing a close simil- arity to crednerite, is occasionally found. Black, with bright metgllic lustre, it is sparingly developed and when found, occurred as irregular platy masses in cavities in the Mn oxide. It is also found as small irregular foliated crystals in some of the calcity nodules and in calcity-lined cavities in the Mn0Oo impregnated wall rock. It is not always associated with lead minerals, but has been found intimately associated with the snow-white scaly hydrocerussite crystals. Micro- chemical tests show Cu and Mn to be the main components. XRD examin- ation confirms that this mineral is not crednerite. In terms of symmetry, streak, cleavages and pseudohexagonal crystal form it appears to be very similar to crednerite. It is less dense (© 4.87) and much more friable than crednerite. The thin platy cleavage fragments are not as brittle as those of crednerite and may be slightly flexible. Alteration is to malachite. Pyrolusite. Mn0O5 tetragonal Amorphous pyrolusite - 'Wad' = is the dominant component of the Mn oxide pods. Frequently associated with this is a crystalline variety. Its habit is very similar to that of fibrous goethite, but it is both softer (~2.5) than this mineral and possesses a silvery grey, metallic lustre. Granular patches of small interlocking silvery grey crystals are often associated with the fibrous pyrolusite. Local concentrations of these granular crystals occur throughout the amorphous oxide ore. Well formed crystals are rare. These are occasionally found in some of the calcite nodules from No. 2 vein. They are most abundant in the large, "coreless" nodules, in which they either occur as widely separated, small, tetragonal crystals, or as discrete encrusting masses, on the cavity walls. Silver-grey to black, with bright metallic lustre, the crystals are commonly equant or stout prismatic [001 |. They are brittle, with black streak, irregular fracture, and may show a perfect {110 } cleavage. The single crystals are never perfect, usually appearing to be a coalition of several smaller individuals. They seldom exceed 2 mm in length. Botryoidal, radiating pyrolusite, with a crystalline surface often has a stepped appearance. This is due to the aggregation of numerous small, tetragonal prisms into sub-parallel groups, producing several larger, mutually interfering curved crystals. These composite crystals may grade laterally into a disordered aggregate of intergrown prismatic, equant, and thick tabular, apparently pseudohexagonal erystals. Most of the encrusting crystal groups have this disordered C.J. ALABASTER 95 arrangement. Twinning is rare, occasionally occurring on {031} {032}; polysynthetic twinning has been reported in polished sections (Dana, 1934). X-ray studies have shown crystalline Purolusite to be identical with polianite. (Vaux, 1937). Polianite commonly forms large tetragonal erystals that are built up from numerous smaller individuals. It is a hard (6-6.5), dense (5.06) mineral with steel grey, metallic lustre. Crystalline purolusite from Merehead ranges from~2.5 (fibrous pyro- lusite) to about 6 in some of the larger, steel grey, composite crystals. Manganite, MnO.(0H) has been reported from Higher Pitts Farm (Kingsbury, 1941). An XRD has not been carried out on the specimens available in order to chick this identification. Pyrolusite commonly occurs in association with manganite, as an alteration product, and may pseudomorph this mineral. Steel grey to black, fibrous manganite may closely resemble both pyrolusite and goethite in habit. Its hardness (~4) and colour usually serve to distinguish it from goethite (H~5 5-6). Mimetite (Pb5(A0, )3 C1) Hex, monoclinic, Pyromorphite Pb(PO4)3.Cl.Hex.. The first reference to these minerals is given by Wallerius, in his book "Mineralagie eller Mineralliket" published in Stockholm in 1748. Some confusion existed over their identity, both being described under the name "Gronblyspat", (Greenlead spar). By the 1870's it had been established that these minerals were end members of a complete series in which phosphorous and aresenic could freely substitute for each other. The names mimetite and pyromorphite are pmplied to the two halves of the series where As>P and P?As respectively. These two minerals show close similarities in physical and optical properties. Crystals are often prismatic [0001 ] and simple in habit. Equant, tabular {0001} or pyramidal crystals also occur. They are soft (3.5-4) brittle minerals, with resinous to adamantine lustre, uneven- conchoidal fracture and poor {1011} cleavage. Streak off-white, the s.g. varies throughout the series (Pyromorphite 7.14, Mimetite 7.28). It may drop to 5.9 or less where Ca substitutes for Pb. There is no series leading to chlorapatite (Caz (PO )3Cl, the mineral hedyphane (CaPb)5 (AsO, )z.Cl forming when the’ Ca:Pb ratio exceeds 1:1. Colour is variable, but pyromorphite is often yellowish-green whereas mimetite is frequently yellow or orange. Crystals often show concentric growth, the As:P ratio being highest towards the crystal margins (Dana, 1934). Members of the series, especially when high in As, tend to be biaxial negative. Basal sections may show a division into six tri-angular areas, sometimes with a uniaxial core. Some crystals may be uniaxial throughout. In the biaxial parts of the crystal, the optic plane is usually parallel to a side of the hexagon. 2V is variable, up to 42°, and decreases with P content. Frondel (in Dana, 1934) suggested that these apparently anomalous optical properties are caused by inversion of the crystals to a pseudohexagonal orthorhombic form. The presence of mimetic orthorhomic twins were thought to cause the hour=glass structure seen in some basal sections. Recent work (Keppler, 1968) shows mimetite to be monoclinic. Three-fold twinning about the c-axis produces a hexagonal-shaped crystal and also recon- ciles the optical properties to the new, structural data. The uni axial crystals are either the result of micro-twinning, or are truly hexagonal form, possibly stabilized by foreign ions in the crystal lattice (Kepler, 1968). The hexagonal form of chlorapalite is stabil- ized by small quantities of OH ions. A monoclinic form of pyromorphite may also exist (Keppler, 1968). Mimetite is not as common as pyromor- phite. 96 MEREHEAD QUARRY MINERALS The first reference to pyromorphite in the Mendip region is that given by J. Woodward in 1728. It was worked at Green Hill, near Char- terhouse, and occurred as yellowish-green crystalline encrustations, cellular, botryoidal masses and impregnations in a vein traversing the Old Red Sandstone. The village of Green Ore, near Priddy, may have been another locality for this mineral (Spencer & Mountain, 1923). No further occurrences were noted until 1924 when it was recorded from Higher Pitts farm. Pyromorphite was recorded by Kingsbury (1941) both at Priddy, and as small, yellowish green crystals developed in a galena- chalcopyrite=pyrite bearing calcite vein, at Batts Coombe Quarry,Cheddar. At Priddy, mimetite occurs as thin crystalline crusts lining cav- ities in the Mn ore. Orange-brown in colour, it forms confused aggre= gates of minute prismatic crystals with resinous-adamantine lustre and whitish streak, Sheaf-like aggregates of sub-parallel crystals may occasionally develop. The crystalline masses grade off into amorphous sulphur—yellow powdery coatings and impregnations in the Mn oxides. It may grade into the yellow green pyromorphite, this either forming encrustations of prismatic crystals or warty crystalline aggregates. At Merehead these minerals are usually found together. They most commonly occur as sulphur-yellow (mimetite) or yellow-green (pyromor- phite) powdery or microcrystalline coatings on joints in the Mn oxide. Mimetite appears to be more abundant than pyromorphite. They also occur as dusty coatings to the cavity walls and other secondary minerals in the calcite nodules of No. 2 vein. Small pockets of minute, orange- brown prismatic crystals (M) are found either as cavity fillings in the nodules or in close association with any of the other lead minerals. In this type of mineral assemblage, Mimetite—pyromorphite are frequently found associated with wulfenité and vanadinite or other V. minerals. A partial series exists between vanadinite and mimetite up to As:V*#l:1. To date, vanadinite has not been recorded at Merehead. In conclusion it would be noted that, although the majority of the sulphur-yellow material is undoubtedly mimetite, the possible presence of other, yellow, arsenic minerals, e.g. Sahlinite and Ecdemite, must be borne in mind. Wulfenite PbMoO, Tetragonal 4 First described by von Born, in 1772, from Annaberg, Carinthia, it was named after Franz Wulfen, Jesuit priest, who wrote a treatise on the lead ores of this area, It is a rare mineral in the U.K., prior to 1944 having been found at only five localities (Russell, 1944). It was recorded from Higher Pitts by Spencer & Mountain, (1923), and from Mere- head by the British Museum. Wulfenite usually occurs as a secondary mineral, formed by the oxidation of lead and molybdenum-bearing mnerals. It frequently occurs in association with pyromorphite, mimetite, vanad— inite, cerussite, limonite, Mn oxides and calcite. At Merehead the lead and molybdenum were probably present as adsorbed ions in the Mn oxide gel. Crystallization of this gel would lead to remobilization of these ions which may, under suitable conditions, have reacted to form lead molybdate. Wulfenite from Merehead thus differs in its mode of form= ation, from that commonly found elsewhere. Oxiding conditions would still be required to raise_the molybdenum ion to the 6—valent state. In terms of density (wulfenite 6.5-7; cerussite 6.5), lustre, hardness (wulfenite 2.5-3; cerussite 3-3.5), streak and fracture, wulfenite is similar to cerussite and could be confused with this when massive. Unlike cerussite, it is not brittle, shows good cleavage {011} with {001} {013} poor. The colour varies from orange yellow to pale C.J. ALABASTER 97 yellow or greenish brown. Specimens from the Mendips are mostly very pale wine-yellow, transparent to translucent. Uniaxial negative (ceru- ssite biaxial negative, 2V~9°), some crystals may show an anomalous biaxial figure, with 2V up to 8° (Dana, 1934). It is weakly pleochroic in orange and yellow tints. Wulfenite gives a positive test for molyb- denum.