54 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
species in this habitat, among them the following: Bunias orientalis J. and S.,
Weld (Reseda luteola L.), Wild Mignonette (R. lutea L.), Grass Vetchling
(Lathyrus Nissolia L.), Yellow Vetchling (L. Aphaca L.), Yellow Stonecrop
(Sedum acre L.), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), Orange Hawkweed
(Hieracium aurantiacum L.), Round-leaved Wintergreen (Pyrola rotundifolia
L.), Twayblade (Listera ovata (L.) R.Br.), Spotted Orchid (Orchis fuchsii
Druce), Man Orchid (Aceras anthropophorum (L.) S. F. Gray) and Adder's
Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum L.).
Tollesbury and Woodham Walter (936th Meeting)
SATURDAY, 30 JUNE 1951
In brilliant sunshine a coach full of members and friends left Woodford
Green at 10 a.m. The first stop was made at Woodham Walter to inspect the
church of St. Michael.
Mr. R. M. Lang described the special features of the church. It is one of the
few built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth and it is 200 yards from the site
of the former building. It was erected by Thomas, Earl of Essex in 1563, on a
plan identical with that of the previous church, with mellowed red brick, roof
timbers and the font from the old building. The only change was that a vestry
replaced the side chapel. The parish registers date back to 1562 for burials and
1572 for weddings and baptisms.
Some fifteenth century glass is included in the modern windows—a reaper,
the sun, moon and stars are represented in the fragments. Other features are:
A brass depicting a skull and the inscription "Ecce quid eris"; The Royal
Arms, 1666; The Corbie-stepped gable. Some members took the opportunity
to see the fine front of the Tudor inn at the bottom of the hill.
An uneventful journey led through Maldon and on to Tollesbury where,
leaving the coach, the party walked down the disused railway track to the
Blackwater estuary. The hedgerows on both sides of the line were alive with
Whitethroats, Greenfinches and Dunnocks and rich vegetation covered the
banks, the pale red flowers of Grass Vetchling being noticeable. A fine cluster
of Stonecrop grew out of the track further down, the yellow flowers glistening
in the sun. Soon the marsh and saltings stretched baking before the party.
Redshanks called unceasingly while Larks rose and fell above the grasslands.
One or two energetic members walked back to Tollesbury to examine the
church. The coach then took the perspiring members back to Maldon for tea
at the "King's Head".
After tea a meeting was held with Mr. W. Howard in the chair. A number
of proposals for membership were read for the first time and the Chairman
then called on Miss Johnson to comment on the botanical finds of the day.
Mr. E. F. Williams then spoke of the Lepidoptera. Larvae of the Ground
Lackey and Magpie moths had been found, but butterflies were scarce. It was
unusual to find Dingy and Grizzled Skippers in fair condition on the same day
as newly-emerged Large Skippers. Meadow Browns were only just emerging in
very small numbers. Common Blues and Small Heaths were fairly plentiful.
Only one Large White was seen, the other two Whites were not on the wing.
Mrs. Harris then spoke of the birds. A good number of common species had
been seen and there was a good chorus of song along the disused railway line.
Greenfinches seemed to be particularly numerous almost everywhere. Curlew,
Redshank and Peewit were seen on the marshes and here also were seen two
pairs of Shelduck and a pair of Common Tern.
On the way home the party stopped at the church of St. Giles at Langford.
Miss Peck, of Langford, kindly showed the salient features of the church
which has one of the few surviving examples of a western apse. The coach then
turned towards home leaving the lonely marshland to the Redshanks and the
Curlews, to the sunset and the night wind.
Mr. Howard makes the following observations: Among the ninety-eight