Welsh Journals

ditches and dykes, quite apart from the many field ponds is a valuable and interesting reservoir for birds and plants some of which do not occur elsewhere within many miles. A drainage scheme and pumping station are now installed in the northern part of the area; this prevents flooding and has greatly im- proved farming prospects but has not changed the essential nature of the area. Apart from this, many of the ponds are being lost through filling and this process is likely to continue. To many farmers the ponds no longer have any direct use as clay or marl pits or as watering places. They are often both uneconomic and a nuisance as regards both farm animals and cultivation. A very few ponds have been stocked with fish for private use or even as a gesture towards local people, and a few farmers appreciate the interest in landscape or in wildlife in having a pond on their land. The hope of the conservationist is that sufficient farmers may, for whatever reason, leave or even develop their ponds so that over this area there is a reasonable com- promise between the presence of a variety of wildlife and efficient farming. I should like to thank Brian Formstone, my companion on many oc- casions, for his constant enthusiasm and especially for his quick and confident bird recognition; also the many farmers and others who have allowed access to their land. Rock Cottage, Cefn-y-bedd, Wrexham. British Birds is the only monthly journal devoted to field studies of the birds of the British Isles and western Europe. Each issue contains plates by leading bird photographers. Prospectus from 61/62 Watling Street, London, EC4.