Whilst visiting Sale’s Lot long Barrow at Withingon on 10th July 2014, I happened to encounter about five Roman snails (Helix pomatia) on the track leading to the barrow. It was a hot day and I noticed that – with one exception – the snails were all exhibiting the same behaviour in that they were seemingly burrowing into the earth, presumably to escape the sun. I haven’t encountered this species doing this previously – although I haven’t seen them on such a hot day. I also came across a nice hare (which my dog didn’t see) and a female Fallow deer (which my dog did see as it leapt over him – he was too shocked to give chase!).
