Surveying Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail at the Giant’s Causeway

For many invertebrates in Northern Ireland our ability to act to protect them is limited by a lack of data. Understanding the habitat requirements of a species and the time of year it is most active is vital for conservation projects.

The Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail (Vertigo angustior) is a tiny brown snail that, in Northern Ireland, is confined to a small area of coastline near the Giant’s Causeway. It can be found in undisturbed marshy coastal grassland and coastal turf that is fed by seepages. The Irish population of the snail is of global importance and it is a Priority species in both the UK and Northern Ireland. The significance of the Causeway coast for the snail has meant that there is a need to monitor the population size and distribution over time, as well as habitat condition and management.

Several sites with known populations of the snail were visited regularly over the course of the project to complete surveys. These sites included Portnaboe, Port Ganny, Port Noffer and Port Moon. Fieldwork was carried out by Dr Roy Anderson and a Buglife Conservation Officer. Surveys consisted of searching through vegetation in a white tray at set locations across the sites, recording any Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snails found. Any habitat management concerns werehighlighted, as well as recommendations made for future site management.

This project gave an up-to-date picture of the snail’s population size and distribution, informing site managers and supporting the conservation of Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail in Northern Ireland. Monitoring the population over time will help to identify peak times during the year, enabling any future management recommendations to have a positive impact.

Further information on the Narrow-mouthed whorl snail can be found here.