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THE ESSEX NATURALIST
the day and referred particularly to the ample opportunities afforded of
hearing the songs of the warblers.
Mr. Pratt spoke of the insects, referring to the several species of hiber-
nated butterflies which were still on the wing, namely : Small Tortoiseshell,
Peacock and Brimstone, and to the good number of Wall butterflies seen.
Miss Johnson spoke of the flowering plants. She stated that her list con-
tained eighty-five species which she thought was a good number considering
that no opportunity had occurred of adding water and marsh plants to the list.
Plants of Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia Nummularia) and Wood Loosestrife
(L. nemorum) had been seen but were without flower—no doubt owing to the
dry condition of the ground. In addition to the Red Campion (Lychnis
dioica) there was a fine show of Wild Chervil (Chaerophyllum sylvestre).
Flowers of Rough Chervil (C. temulum), a plant usually associated with
June, had been seen and a few flowers of Primrose (Primula vulgaris) and
Cowslip (P. veris) still remained.
Mr. Bernard Ward then reported that the Club had recently suffered the
loss of two members, Miss G. Lister and Mr. L. Price. The former had been
a member since 1907 and was one of the Club's Vice-Presidents and the latter
had been a member since 1928. Members stood for a minute in silence as a
mark of affectionate respect.
The meeting ended at 5.30 p.m. with a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Ward for arranging access to the private woods visited and planning
such an enjoyable and instructive ramble. Members then walked to Blake
Hall Station for the journey home.
Mr. Howard comments that, of the flowering plants recorded, the most
interesting was the Cotton Thistle (Onopordon Acanthium) which is un-
common in this part of Essex. The continuance in flower to such a late date
as May 22nd is worthy of note in the case of such early flowering plants as
Primula vulgaris, P. veris, Orchis mascula and Ajuga reptans, as is also the
early flowering of Orchis maculata, Onopordon Acanthium and Senecio
sylvaticus.
Mr. Bernard Ward reports that the Dragonflies taken during the day were
identified as Libellula depressa, Enallagma cyathigerum and Pyrrhosoma
nymphula.
Visit to Margaretting (906th Meeting)
SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH, 1949
After some difficult travel due to Whitsun traffic conditions nineteen
members met at Church Lane, Margaretting in threatening weather.
Mrs. P. V. Upton led the party across the fields, skirting Osborne's
Wood and passing through Burley Wood. This small wood contained a
wealth of botanical material and might repay more detailed investigation.
Crossing meadows the party paused to watch a hen Kestrel sitting on a dead
tree where the birds have nested for the last three years. Then passing
through Handley Green Farm the Lake was reached in time for lunch.
The original Coptfold Hall, an Elizabethan building, stood by this site
but was pulled down late in the eighteenth century. It is shown on the 1780
maps. The lake provided many attractions. A nest of the Little Grebe
with eggs was inspected and the birds were seen feeding in the lake. Many
Swifts, Swallows and House-Martins were flying over the water in the now
brilliant sunshine. Dragonflies of several species were plentiful. After
lunch Mr. P. V. Upton appeared with transport and relieved the party of
their heavier coats and superfluous equipment. The members then went on
to Furness Wood. Some slight trouble with a locked gate gave Mr. Howard
an opportunity to exercise his nimble wit and unsuspected strength : one of
the ladies assisted him.