Welsh Journals

NATURE IN WALES VOL. 3, No. 3. AUTUMN 1957 MAMMALS RECORDED IN AN AREA OF WEST WALES WILLIAM CONDRY THE following notes were compiled mainly from results of a ques- tionnaire circulated among members of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, Extra-Mural biology class at Aberdovey (Session 1956-7) and among the local people. The questionnaire listed mammals considered likely to occur in the area surveyed and contributors were asked to tick off, and, if possible, add notes against all species certainly known to be present or to have been recorded. Thirty questionnaires were completed. I have to thank members of the class for their assistance and particularly Mrs. M. Shaw, who made the initial sifting of the material. The sketch-map (p. 460) outlines the area surveyed which is mainly the strip of Merionethshire that borders the Dovey Estuary. I have indicated the approximate sites of records of species which are apparently rare or local in the area and some records from the Cardiganshire side are also included. The survey does not pretend to be based on serious field-work, but is an experiment in gathering local knowledge which otherwise would be lost. Such a method has limitations, especially concerning uncertainties of identification. But when the several doubtful records had been rejected there still remained a body of information which would have been difficult, if not impossible, to obtain by field- work alone. The soils of the area under survey are mostly acid or neutral, and include a wide variety of habitats, the chief of which are shore, dunes, estuary muds, fresh marshes, hillside woods pre- dominantly of oak, hill pastures, mixed farmland, a shallow rapid trout-river and tributaries, railway banks, houses and gardens. Where a species is noted as common or general the limitation in suitable habitats should be understood. The species observed Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus L.). Common about woods and farm hedges. Many killed on the main roads. (British) Common Shrew (Sorex areneus castaneus Jenyns). General all over the area including high ground.