Non-Marine Recording – Activity and Highlights 2012
Adrian Norris, Non-Marine Recorder
A large and thriving colony of Helix lucorum at Pitfield Open Space in Hoddesden in Hertfordshire in June 2012 was an unexpected discovery. A third specimen of this species was found in Cardiff in July 2012. Two further specimens were located in thrushes’ anvils in Woolston Eyes SSSI near Warrington, on the southern edge of South Lancashire, in 2013. The find of the large colony sparked a thorough check of all the Helix pomatia records received in recent years, in case other records had crept into the system unknown to us. Fortunately, these three records all appear to be separate instances, and do not appear to affect the status of Helix pomatia in Britain.
The work being undertaken by Ben Rowson at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff to update and establish once and for all the status of our slug species in Britain has already produced some very interesting results. Additionally, the work undertaken by the Opal Project on Limax maximus has resulted in a large number of incidental records of other large slugs found in gardens. These two projects have resulted in numerous new VC records. The Opal Project has proved how difficult it is to survey gardens and the two projects together indicate how under- recorded slugs are in Britain. The project by Ben Rowson will provide further new records, some of which cannot be published until later.
The paper by Reise Heike* et.al., on Deroceras invadens stating that the species we know as Deroceras panormitanum is not correct, due to the fact that Deroceras panomitanum is a separate species also thought to occur in Britain, helps to bring the whole world of slugs and their identification into a new context. *Heike Reise, John M. C. Hutchinson, Susann Schunack, Bettina Schlitt, 2011, Deroceras panormitanum and congeners from Malta and Sicily, with a redescription of the widespread pest slug as Deroceras invadens. SP. Folia Malacologia Vol. 19(4): 201–223
The outstanding record for this year is the occurrence of Arion fuscus. These are the first confirmed records of this species I have within the dataset.
The discovery of a large number of colonies of Vertigo moulinsiana in the Midland fens by Tony R. Abrehart as well as V. geyeri and Segmentina nitida are perhaps the most significant records for the year. (Abrehart, T.R. 2011, Article 17, Reporting cycle on Vertigo moulinsiana at Crose Mere, Sweat Mere and Fenemere November 2011 Lot 6 An ecological survey including floral and fauna observations undertaken for Natural England by Abrehart Ecology).
A colony of Hygromia cinctella in a garden in Southampton also highlighted the problems we have with the NBN and its database. Once I had identified the species and that it was new to South Hampshire, the recorder pointed out that it also occurred on the NBN in several other surrounding areas. None of these records are currently held by us.
East Cornwall (VC2): Arion rufus seg. Luxulyan Valley, (SX600568), 03.07.2012, J.A. Turner & B. Rowson
South Devon (VC3): Arion ater seg. Dartmoor, (SX612771), 23.07.2011 W.O.C. Symondson, Det. B. Rowson
North Devon (VC4): Lehmannia valentiana, (SX5919595043), 18.06.2011, Opal Project
North Somerset (VC6): Limacus maculatus, (ST5623271583), 28.06.2011, Opal Project
North Wiltshire (VC7): Limacus maculatus, (SU1383586590), 16.10.2011, Opal Project
South Wiltshire (VC8): Arion ater seg. Upper Canterton, (SU271123); A. vulgaris, Lehmannia valentiana Salisbury (SU139312); A. owenii, E of Brockenhurst, (SU316236) all 25.08.2012 all B. Rowson
Dorset (9): Limacus maculatus, Sutton Ponytz, (SY704837), 01.03.2013, John Newbould, Det. A. Norris
South Hampshire (VC11): Arion circumscriptus seg. Hinton Ampner, (SU597274), 16.06.2012, A. Norris; Hygomia cinctella, 120 Oaktree Road, Southampton, (SU4414), 10.10.2012, Mark G Painter, Conf. A. Norris
North Hampshire (VC12): Cochlicella acuta, Thruxton, (SU297458) 18.08.2012; Hygromia cinctella, Four Marks & Glebe Meadows, Overton (SU5140-5150) 01.033.2010 both Dr J. Denton; Malacolimax tenellus, Chawton Park Wood, Medstead, near Alton, (SU6731236530), 25.10.2012, June Chatfield
West Sussex (VC13): Lehmannia valentiana, (TQ1066704356), 27.05.2012, Opal Project; A. rufus seg., A. vulgaris, Findon Valley, (TQ131673) 09.07.2012, P.G. Oliver, Det. B. Rowson; Helix pomatia, Bignor Hill near Petworth, (SU975130) Sebastian Anstruther, 02.2012, Det. M.J. Willing
East Sussex (VC14): Arion circumscriptus seg. Battle Site near Hastings, (TQ750157); Physella acuta, (TQ748152), 19.06.2012, A. Norris; Lehmannia valentiana, (TQ3933138590), 02.10.2011, Opal Project
East Kent (VC15): Hygromia cinctella, Cuxton Pit, (TQ7267) 2005 Dr J. Denton; Physella acuta, Canterbury, (TR137587), 28.04.2002, Ron Carr; Arion ater seg. Blean Woods NNR, (TR121594) 08.10.2011 B. Rowson
West Kent (VC16): Arion distinctus, All Saints Church, Snodland, (TQ707618), 30.06.2012, A. Norris; Physella acuta, Farningham Wood, (TQ5368), 10.05.2001, Ron Carr; A. flagellus, One Tree Hill (TQ580533). 07.10.2011, B. Rowson
Surrey (VC17): Physella acuta, Morden Hall Park, (TQ2668), 19.05.2001, Ron Carr
South Essex (VC18): Limacus maculatus, (TQ5425592358), 02.05.2012, Opal Project
North Essex (VC19): Limacus maculatus, (TM0171224902), 12.05.2012, Opal Project
Hertfordshire (VC20): Helix lucorum Hoddesdon, (TL3607), 09.06.2012, Maurice Pledger, Det. A. Norris
Middlesex (VC21): Limacus maculatus, (TQ1366882527), 09.06.2011, Opal Project; Arion rufus seg, Enfield, (TQ330960), 17.08.2012, B. Rowson
Oxfordshire (VC23): Limacus maculatus, (SP5291504311), 15.08.2011, Opal Project
Buckinghamshire (VC24): Helix pomatia Aston Clinton Ragpits, (SP887107), 23.05.2005, Martin C. Harvey; Limacus maculatus; Great Missenden, (SP896011), Rosemary Pearce, 30.11.2008, Det. Martin C. Harvey; Physella acuta, Grand Union Canal, nr Iver, (TQ045806), 19.08.2012, Steven Green, Det. A. Norris; Stagnicola fusca, Farlows lake, (TQ04078010), 12.11.2012, Steven Green, Det. Ron Carr
West Suffolk (VC26): Arion circumscriptus, Sapiston, (TL932762), 13.08.2011, B. Rowson
East Norfolk (VC27): Limacus maculatus, (TG2142201141), 10.04.2012, Opal Project; Arion ater seg. Wheatfen Broad, (TG327547), 15.08.2011, R. Baker, D. Howlett, Det. B. Rowson
West Norfolk (VC28): Limacus maculatus, (TF8177415118), 26.10.2011, Opal Project
Cambridgeshire (VC29): Limacus flavus, Wicken, (TL571710), 04.08.2012, Chris Du Feu; Arion ater seg, A. vulgaris, (TL571702), Wicken, 01.09.2012, A. circumscriptus seg. (TL571710) Wicken, 20.04.2012 Chris Du Feu, Det. B. Rowson
Bedfordshire (VC30): Limacus maculatus, (TL0635843741), 29.06.2011, Opal Project
Huntingdonshire (VC31): Arion distinctus, Orton Hall, Peterborough, (TL168966), 01.07.2012, A. Norris
East Gloucestershire (VC33): Limacus flavus Conygre Wood, Stroud, (SO869048), 21.01.2012; Arion distinctus, Painswick (SO858097) 22.01.2012; Arion rufus, Painswick, (SO866109), 08.04.2012 all John Fleming
West Gloucestershire (VC34): Arion circumscriptus seg. A. distinctus, A. hortensis, The Slaughter, (SO553142), J.A. Turner, Det. B. Rowson
Monmouthshire (VC35): Arion distinctus, A. owenii, A. flagellus, Old Quarry, (SO1529500636), 06.01.2012; A. silvaticus, Aberbargoed Grasslands, (ST1641299110), 07.01.2012; A. ater seg., Commin, (SO158015), 22.06.2012 all Christian Owen; A. rufus seg. Aberbargoed, (SO157707), 29.09.2011, C. Owen, Det. B. Rowson
Worcestershire (VC37): Arion ater seg. (SO740757), A. silvaticus, (SO758769), 17.09.2011, B. Rowson
Warwickshire (VC38): Limacus maculatus, (SP1503488854), 25.06.2011, Opal Project
Staffordshire (VC39): Arion owenii; A. flagellus, (SJ 843467), Newcastle-under-Lyme, 04.01.2012, John Fleming; A. rufus; A. distinctus, A. silvatica, Newmarket, (ST4398), 07.04.2012 all John Fleming; Vertigo moulinsiana, Aqualate Mere NNR, (SJ780202), 01.2012, Toby R. Abrehart
Shropshire (VC40): Arion owenii, Pettingham, (SO815946), 01.09.2012, John Fleming, Det. B, Rowson; Limacus flavus, Arion distinctus, Altringham Park, (SJ5410), 04.10.2012 all Chris du Feu; Vertigo moulinsiana, Cross Mere, (SJ4330), 01.2012, Toby Abrehart, (Confirmation of old record)
Glamorgan (VC41): Helix lucorum, Cardiff, (ST182763), 06.07.2012, B. Rowson,; Lehmannia valentiana, (ST01766805), 06.04.2012, Opal Project; Arion flagellus, A. circumscriptus, Old Mill Bridge . Rhymney River, (SO15060034), 06.01.2012; A. silvaticus, Rhaslas Pond, (SO0907), 07.01.2012: A. distinctus, Groes-faen Quarry, (SO1431900956), 22.04.2012; A. ater seg, Rhaslas Pond, (SO0907), 17.05.2012 all Christian Owen; A. rufus seg. 19.09.2011, Limacus flavus,23.08.2011, Pontyclun, (ST378816), L. maculatus, (SS889734), near Ogmore-by-Sea, 22.08.2011 all B. Rowson
Breconshire (VC42): Arion flagellus, A. distinctus, Llwyn-on Reservoir, (SO007119), 08.01.2012 all Christian Owen; A. ater seg. (SN994212), 07.04.2012, A. rufus seg. 24.09.2011, both Brecon Beacons NP, B. Rason, Agriolimax agreste, Craig Carreg-Gleisiad & Fan Frynych NNR, (SN962219), 18.05.2012, J.A. Turner, Det. B. Rowson
Merionethshire (VC48): Arion ater seg. Cadair Idris (SH718122), A.rufus seg, Plas Tan-y-Bwlch, (SH656407), A. distinctus, Coed Camlyn NNR, (SH657398) all 05.2012, J.A. Taylor Det. B. Rowson
Caernarvonshire (VC49): Arion ater seg. near Pencraig, NE of Betws-y-Coed, (SH772562), A. silvaticus, Cwm Idwal NNR, (SH645582), 15.05.2012, J.A. Turner Det. B. Rowson
Denbighshire (VC50): Arion flagellus, Glyn Ceiriog, (SJ192349), A. owenii, Ceiriog Valley, (SJ228377), both 03.08.2011, W.O.V. Symondson, Det. B. Rowson
South Lincolnshire (VC53): Limacus maculatus, (TF0596164207), 15.06.2011, Opal Project
North Lincolnshire (VC54): Arion silvaticus, Carr’s Lane, Gainsborough, (SK8188), 22.04.2012; Arion ater seg, Kirton-in-Lindsey, (SK935989), 21 03.2012; A. circumscriptus, Lady Lee Quarry, (SK5679), 21.04.2012 all Chris Du Feu
Leicestershire (VC55): Hygromia cinctella, Leicester, (SK625033), 25.05.2012, Dave Nicholls, Det. A. Norris; Limacus maculatus, (SP6135299583), 13.06.2011, Opal Project
Nottingham (VC56): Anisus leucostoma, Beckingham Marshes, (SK794895), 17.07.2012, Chris Du Feu; Arion fuscus; Ash Tree Hill Wood, Clumber Park Country Park, (SK633753), 21.04.2012, B. Rowson & Chris du Feu
Derbyshire (VC57): Limacus maculatus, (SK4866032937), 12.07.2011, Opal Project; Arion ater seg. NE of Buxton, (SK150826), 22.09.2012, P. & C. Tattersfield, Det. B. Rowson
Cheshire (VC58): Vertigo moulinsiana, Chapel Mere, SSSI (SJ539516); V.geyeri, Wybunbury Moss NNR, (SJ695502); Segmentina nitida, Tatton Park Mill Pond, (SJ759817), 01.2012, all Toby R. Abrehart
South Lancashire (VC59): Helix lucorum, Woolston Eyes SSSI, near Warrington, (SJ649884) Kieran Foster, 02.02.2013, Det. Ian Wallis
West Lancashire (VC60): Arion distinctus, Limacus maculatus, Carnforth, (SD496704), 19.02.2012, Chris Du Feu
North-east Yorkshire (VC62): Arion vulgaris, Scarborough Spa Complex, (TA0487), 22.08.2012, Arion ater seg. Baxton's Wood (SE612887), 26.09.2012, A. Norris, et al, Det. B. Rowson
Durham (VC66): Stagnicola fusca, Hell’s Kettles, (NZ280108), 14.07.2012, A. Norris
South Northumberland (VC67): Limacus maculatus, (NZ2947381824), 13.06.2011, Opal Project
Westmorland (69): Arion owenii, Ambleside, (NY37670354), 04.07.2012; Lehmannia valentiana, Bowness, (SD409976), 01.07.2012, Chris Du Feu; A. rufus seg, Elterwater, (NY317470) 02.08.2012, A. ater seg. Moss Rigg Wood, (NY312290), 03.08.2012 both J.A. Turner & V.Purewal, Det. B. Rowson
Cumberland (70): Zonitoides arboreus, Carlisle, (NY4055), 22.04.2008, S.P. Dance, Det. Tom Walker
Wigtownshire (VC74): Stagnicola fusca, Elrig Loch, (NX324493), 22.05.2012, A.T. Sumner, Det. Ron Carr
Ayrshire (VC75): Limacus flavus, Ayr, (NS333220), 03.09.2012, N.G. Foster Det. B. Rowson
Renfrewshire (76): Lehmannia valentiana, (NS546583), Balea heydeni, (NS549578), Rouken Glen, both 05.10.1912, A.T. Sumner
Peeblesshire (VC78): Stagnicola fusca, The Cuddy, (NT250411), 26.05.2012, A.T. Sumner, Det. Ron Carr
Selkirkshire (VC79): Limacus maculatus, (NT4718128532), 04.09.2011, Opal Project
Roxburghshire (VC80): Azeca goodalli, Limax cinereoniger, Denholm Dean, (NT564172), 19.05.2012, A.T. Sumner
Midlothian (VC83): Hygromia cinctella, Roseburn Path, Edinburgh, (NT2273), 13.07.2012, A.T. Sumner
West Lothian (VC84): Hygromia cinctella, Eliburn Wood, Livingston, (NT036683), 11.04.2012; Lehmannia valentiana, Succinea putris, Monacha cantiana, Kirkliston, (NT1274), 09.2012 all A.T. Sumner
Fifeshire (VC85): Milax gagates, Hygromia cinctella, St Andrews, (NO5116), 03.07.2012; Acicula fusca; Vertigo pusilla, Aberdour-Burntisland, (NT206865), 28.04.2012; Lehmannia valentiana, Kinghorn, (NT270865), 05.07.2012 all A.T. Sumner
West Perthshire (VC87): Limacus maculatus, (NN7259601649), 06.04.2012, Opal Project
Mid Perthshire (VC88): Tandonia budapestensis, Easter Moncreiffe, (NO149195), 10.09.2010, J.A. Turner Det. B. Rowson
South Aberdeenshire (VC92): Boettgerilla pallens, Arion owenii, Arion flagellus, Seaton Park, Aberdeen, (NJ9309), 25.07.2012; Musculium lacustre, Haughton Country Park, (NJ577165), 26.07.2012 all A.T. Sumner; Limacus maculatus, (NJ5853704432), 23.06.2011, Opal Project
North Aberdeenshire (VC93): Arion owenii, Arion flagellus, Lehmannia valentiana, Aden Country Park, (NJ9848); Boettgerilla pallens, Mintlaw Station, (NJ989484), 24.07.2012, all A.T. Sumner
Moray (VC95): Arion fuscus, Dulnain Bridge, Cairngorms NP, (NJ254250), 09.09.2010, J.A. Turner Det. B. Rowson
East Inverness (VC96): Arion circumscriptus seg. Insh Marshes NNR, (NH804303) 09.09.2010, J.A. Turner Det. B. Rowson
Outer Hebrides (VC110): Arion rufus seg. Isle of Lewis (NB476398), 30.07.2002, Chris Du Feu, Det. B. Rowson,
Channel Islands (VC113): Arion rufus seg. Groznez, St. Ouen, (WV554561), 30.08.2002, Chris Du Feu, Det. B. Rowson,
West Cork (H3): Arion hortensis, Schull and environs, near Ballydehob, (V928315), 02.09.2011, R. Anderson & J.A. Taylor, Det. B. Rowson
Mid Cork (H4): Arion vulgaris, Schull and environs, (W662716), 02.09.2011, R. Anderson & J.A. Taylor, Det. B. Rowson
West Galway (H16): Arion hortensis, S part of Rusheen Bay, (M251231), Limax cinereoniger, Lettercraffoe Lough, (M756376), 06.09.2011, B. Rowson; E part of Rusheen Bay, (M260237), 05.09.2011, R. Anderson & J.A. Taylor, Det. B. Rowson
Roscommon (H25): Arion ater seg., A. circumscriptus seg. W shore of Loch Ree near Lecarrow, (M997563), 07.09.2011, R. Anderson & J.A. Taylor, Det. B. Rowson Moss Bladder Snail Aplexa hynorum, Wey Valley (J. Denton)
Moss Bladder Snail Aplexa hynorum, Wey Valley (J.
Some recent Snail Records from Southern England
Dr.Jonty Denton, 31 Thorn Lane, Four Marks, Hants, GU34 5BX
Moss Bladder Snail Aplexa hypnorum, appears to be declining especially in south-east England, with only old records given for Surrey in the Atlas of Land and Freshwater Molluscs of Britain and Ireland (Michael Kerney, 1999). However I have found five populations along the Wey valley from a marsh beside Farnham by-pass (SU8547), Thundry Meadows (SU8944) on 30.4.2005, Lakeside Guildford in 2008, Papercourt Marshes (TQ0356) and Chertsey Meads (TQ0666) in 1.5.2008. Rare, known mainly from 19th Century records, recorded twice in 1902 from Kew Lake and from Pyrford in 1909.
Point Snail Cochlicella acuta New to VC12
Inland colonies are likely to be introductions and prone to fading out. However a huge colony was found at Thruxton (SU297458) on 18.8.2012. The site is a tip with large amounts of imported crushed inert fill (concrete/brickwork), and is famous for unusual ruderal plants. These appear to be first records from North Hampshire (VC12).
Girdled Snail Hygromia cinctella
The meteoric rise of this species continues apace:-
West Kent (VC15) Cuxton Pit, waste ground at edge of large chalk pit (TQ7267) 2005-2012 New to VC15
North Hampshire (VC12) Four Marks, (rural garden) (SU5150) 1.3.2010, Overton (SU5150) New to VC12 amenity trees beside library and at Glebe Meadow, Overton (SU5149) (rural garden) 1.3.2010.
Surrey (VC17) Ham Lands (TQ1672) Ham Lands (TQ1672) 23.4.2010, Brooklands Airfield, amenity planted hedge (TQ0661), 13.6.2011, Pirbright Common (hedge near cemetery) (SU9456), 19.6.2011, Farnham, suburban garden (SU8445), 24.7.2011 Nunhead Cemetery (TQ3575), 22.5.2012. Peckham, community garden (TQ347612), Camberwell (TQ327612), 12.6.2012, Hurtmore Golf Course (rural hedgerow) (SU9445), 24.9.2012
South Essex (VC18) North Woolwich, ruderal area (TQ437928) Sep 2011