23.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MAMMAL GROUP - 1975
The Mammal Group held a full and varied pro-
gramme of meetings in 1975. The following is a brief
summary of meetings held after last year's A.G.M.
On April 13th a meeting was held at Coptfold
Hall by kind permission of Colonel and Mrs Upton.
This meeting was the first since the demise of the
Herptile Group to include reptiles and amphibians
under our umbrella of study. David Scott led the
meeting which consisted mainly of netting newts.
About 40 smooth newts were caught and ten specimens
of the rarer palmate newts were also netted. After
observations were made all specimens were duly
returned to their ponds. One small grass snake and
a slow-worm were also seen. Badger setts were
investigated but there was little evidence to show
that they were occupied.
Ron Allen led a small mammal trapping meeting
at West Wood, Sampford, on 25th May. 76 Longworth
traps were set but the catch was a little dis-
appointing. However two shrews were caught, live
and in perfect condition. One was a common shrew,
the other probably a pygmy shrew.
In the absence of mammals the insect population
was investigated. Oak-bush cricket nymphs, sawflies,
orange tip and green veined-white butterflies were
seen. Soil borings were made and plant and bird
species noted. Of the former oxlip, herb paris and
twayblade were of special interest. Birds included
blackcaps, turtle doves and swallows.
Perhaps the most successful meeting was the all
night mammal meeting held on June 14th and 15th. It
was organised by David Corke but many people, too
numerous to list, helped it go with a swing. After
splitting into small parties to watch badger setts