REPORTS OF MEETINGS
43
a fine spread of Menyanthes trifoliata was admired and the songs of so many
birds were heard that it needed an attentive ear to pick out the voices of some
of the choir, which included Nightingale, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blackcap,
Garden Warbler, Redbreast, Whitethroat, Wren, Great Tit, Chaffinch and
Cuckoo.
Walking along the Epping Road, the Mistle Thrush and Tree Pipit
were heard, and Great Monk Wood, its great beeches lovely in their delicate
spring foliage, was entered. Here a herd of Fallow Deer was seen, the song
of the Redstart was heard and the entomologists made a noteworthy find in
the brilliantly coloured Cranefly, Ctenophora flaveolata Fab., the subject of
a special note in this issue.
Lunch was eaten by a pond in Little Monk Wood, and hereabouts
the Large Red Damsel Fly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) was observed and a
Red Squirrel was startled from its drey. After skirting the picturesque
Strawberry Hill Pond, where the Water Ranunculus was in bloom, the party
made its way to High Beach, where the Nuthatch and the Wood Warbler
were heard.
In all, some 44 species of wild flowers were noted, the Oak and the
Dwarf Willow being particularly lavish in bloom. A large old Wild Cherry
Tree (Prunus avium), with many dead branches, but still flowering, was seen
at High Beach and specimens were gathered from a Birch, which, in addition
to male and female catkins, bore some, the upper half of which was composed
of female flowers and the lower half of male flowers. Other noteworthy finds
included the Adder's Tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum) and barren plants
of Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis).
A welcome and appetising tea was enjoyed at the Duke of Wellington
Inn at High Beach, after which a formal meeting was held with Mr. D. J.
Scourfield, Vice-President, in the chair; when the following persons were
elected to membership:—
Mrs. M. A. Debure-Shorto, of 12, Hamfrith Road, Stratford, E.15.
Mr. E. Hensler, of "Gilead Balm," 12, Knighton Close, Woodford
Green.
Mr. D. H. S. Shean, of 8, Clare Road, Leytonstone, E.11.
Mr. F. Whitworth, of 16, Seagry Road, Wanstead, E.11.
The Hon. Secretary took this opportunity to invest the new Excursions
Secretary, Miss Grace Hilbert, B.Sc, with a badge of office in the form of
the whistle which he himself had carried at the Club's excursions for so
many years.
The Chairman proposed the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Ross who
had acted as leader of the day's ramble: and thus ended a most enjoyable
meeting which had taken place in perfect spring weather and had been
attended by 22 members.
EXCURSION TO THE DANBURY DISTRICT (861st Meeting)
SATURDAY, MAY 25TH. 1946
Just after 10 o'clock, with grave misgivings as to the weather, 26 members
of the Club left Woodford by motor coach. Travelling through Epping
towards Ongar, a brief detour was made so that the little Saxon church
of St. Andrew's, Greensted could be visited. The Reverend W. A. Hewett
welcomed the party and gave an account of the history of the church.
Re-entering the coach, the party journeyed through Ongar, Writtle
and Chelmsford to Sandon, where the church with its square Tudor brick
tower was thoroughly explored. A number of the members climbed the
tower to enjoy the view from the top and stayed a while in the bell-chamber
to watch the raising of the largest bell. Having received a kind invitation