22 Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union : Annual Report, 1932. 
and in the North Riding suffered from disease. Hares are also diminished 
in numbers. 
The smaller mammals, Mice and Voles, are in very small numbers 
following a year of floods in 1931, which was also a minimum year for 
these destructive pests. A Lesser Shrew was caught by Mr. S. H. Smith 
at Scoreby, near York, on October 1st, and the convenor noted the 
Water Shrew at Nun Appleton on April 24th. 
An increase is indicated in Stoats and Weasels. Hedgehogs also 
appear to be more numerous, especially in the East Riding. In several 
parts of the York area Moles are becoming a nuisance. Mr. Smith suggests 
this may be due to the disappearance of the old-fashioned Mole Trapper 
“the destruction of the animals now being left to the individual occupier 
of the land. 
In the Halifax district Foxes are becoming too numerous for the 
liking of poultry keepers, and several have already been destroyed. 
They make their headquarters in old disused stone quarries. 
Badgers still continue to maintain their hold in their usual habitats 
in the county, while Otters are gradually increasing, especially in the 
York district. Two were seen nearly every evening disporting in the 
Ouse near Scarborough Bridge, York, practically in the centre of the city. 
Another swimming near Linton-on-Ouse, July 20th, in broad daylight 
dived completely under a passing vessel and then swam carelessly away. 
The colony of Black Rats round the harbour at Scarborough is 
•decreasing in strength. Between January 1st and October nth, 1932, 
•only 15 were caught as against 46 in 1931 and 60 during 1930. 
A school of Porpoises has been seen in the Humber. Of late years 
this used to be a common sight, but has not been observed of recent 
years . 
Reptiles. — A Grass Snake was caught at Long Wall, Elland, early 
in September. In the Holderness area they are becoming plentiful. 
Amphibians. — After the scarcity caused by the drought in 1929 
Erog spawn is now rapidly regaining its normal amount. 
I am indebted to Messrs. S. H. Smith, W. J. Clarke, H. B. Booth, 
C. F. Proctor, W. Greaves, and R. J. Flintoff for information used in 
compiling this report. 
Hornsea Mere, 1932 (Chas. F. Procter) : — We started watching 
on Ma}^ 1 6th at the above, and finished on July 23rd. The Herons at 
“that time were well away. There had been twenty nests, all of which 
Fad successfully reared young. 
On May 16th there were seven Swans. Three pairs of these nested 
and reared five, six and two cygnets respectively. Their numbers are 
•swollen at the present time, and the last count gave us 63 all in. 
The Ducks have done well this year. It is probably a record year. 
There is a good show-of Mallard, Shovellers, Pochard, Tufted, and Teal ; 
one or two Shelldrakes have visited the Mere from time to time. 
There have been many Snipe, which have bred in the open spaces 
round the Mere. Ten pairs of Great Crested Grebes appear to have bred, 
but for some reason or other the young are very shy this year. A family 
party of four and another of three have' been seen, and the others seem to 
have one each or two each. They appear to average about a pair. There 
is a fair sprinkling of Little Grebes. 
There are again a great many Coots, but they do not appear to have 
interfered with the Ducks at all. There are not many Water Hens, 
•considering the amenities that the Mere affords, but it is more than 
probable that the Coots see that they do not get too numerous. 
The west end of the Mere has been a perfect bird sanctuary ; on 
the occasions on which I have visited it, there have been thousands 
of all sorts of wild fowl in close proximity to one another. 
Cormorants have been steady residents throughout the year. Two 
Kingfishers built their nests and got off with four and three respectively. 
The Naturalist 
