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THE BIRD COMMUNITY OF A YOUNG CONIFER PLANTATION AT PLAS COED MOR, ANGLESEY H. INSLEY AND J. B. WOOD INTRODUCTION Since 1968 the bird community of Coed Mor on Anglesey has been studied each summer under the auspices of the British Trust for Ornithology's Common Bird Census scheme. Besides contributing to this scheme by which the B.T.O. monitors the populations of the more common breeding birds, the intention of the study is to assess the changes in numbers and species of birds during the development of the conifer plantations on Coed Mor. This paper reviews the first four years of the study and the changes which have occurred in the bird community in that period. SITE DESCRIPTION Coed Mor which has a southerly aspect, is situated on the Anglesey side of the Menai Straits between Telford's Suspension Bridge and Stephenson's Tubular Railway Bridge and adjoins the latter. The area rises with gentle to moderate slopes from sea level to just over 30 m. above sea level. The area is 14.2 ha. of which 12.2 ha. are young coniferous plantations planted between 1962 and 1965. Species planted include Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii), Grand Fir (Abies grandis), Noble Fir (Abies procera), Norway Spruce (Picea abies). Hybrid Larch (Larix eurolepis), and Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). These plantations are currently in the late scrub stage of development with some of the earliest planted areas now closing canopy. The whole 14.2 ha. is included in the census plot. Coed Mor was previously mixed woodland, the principal species being Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), possibly remnants of the primaeval forest of Anglesey. However, the presence of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), European Larch (Larix decidua), and Beech (Fagus sylvatica), suggests considerable modification by man in recent times. This woodland was felled between 1953 and 1958, after which a thick coppice regrowth sprang up and covered the area until it was cleared for replanting in 1962 (Allen, 1963). Surrounded by the plantations are 2.0 ha. of gardens, these together with a screen of large mature trees left around the outside edges of the plantation from the previous wood provide a diversification of habitat and have a significant effect upon both the density and diversity of species occupying the area. The gardens provide open