A survey to check the status of the Greater pellucid glass snail, Phenacolimax major, was publicised in the autumn of 2003 (Mollusc World 3 p.3) and has now run for 3 autumn/spring seasons. The purpose of the survey is to check on the status of the snail which has been recorded in the past from Cornwall and Brecon to Kent. Eight volunteers have been provided with details of old records for parts of its known range, usually near where they live.
So far success in re-finding the species has been in the northwest part of its recorded range from the Black Mountains (Pwll y Wrach nature reserve) and Brecon Beacons to the Wye valley near Symonds Yat and the mid Cotswolds. The best time to search has been from March to May (though earlier records extend from September (juveniles) to July) It is noticeable that it is often found in small hollows under fallen logs or stones, though it does also turn up in damp leaf litter.
Despite extensive search in Worcestershire and Warwickshire by Rosemary Hill and Ron Boyce it has not yet been found outside its known range.
No survey records of P. major have come so far from England east of the Severn apart from the Cotswolds. It is these areas which seem to be most at risk from drying out due to climate change and to disturbance whether by site management or leisure activities, and these are the areas where I would most like volunteers to search.
Many thanks to Keith Alexander, John Fleming, Ron Boyce, Rosemary Hill, David Porter, Tony Smith, and Graham Long for volunteering.