REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN SURVEY OF EPPING FOREST 141
Further Notes on the Reptile and Amphibian
Survey of Epping Forest, 1959-1961
By G. Malenoir
Since the first report was published in 1958, Epping Forest has
suffered severe damage due to the widespread and prolonged fires
of 1959 which occurred continually from June onwards. Not only
did they consume all surface growth, but burned deep into the
peat and leafmould, travelling under the surface and breaking
out afresh many yards away to burn fiercely once again. Un-
fortunately many of the plains and glades where reptiles occur
were affected, and the ponds were utilised by the fire brigades
to pump water in an attempt to bring the conflagrations under
control.
The plains affected included Wake Valley, Sunshine, Long
Running, Birch Hill, Peartree and many hundreds of yards of
roadside banks and rides where reptiles were to be found.
Great Warty Newt (Triturus cristatus)
In our 1958 report we stated that this newt was virtually non-
existant in the forest, only three had been taken by Mr. A. C.
Wheeler from a bomb crater on Fairmead Bottom. We now have
some more records to add. In April 1959, a male, two females
and an immature specimen were taken in the pond on Woodford
Golf Course and Mr. David Scott reported specimens from
Knighton Wood.
During 1960 and 1961 we obtained adult specimens from the
craters on Fairmead Bottom and one large female from the pond
in the Lower Forest. This in itself is an indication that they
probably exist in greater numbers if only we can locate them,
although from our records they seem to be rather rare in the
Forest. This is one species for which we would specially welcome
records from other members of the Club, even if they are only
from garden ponds.
This newt is very large, and specimens of four to six inches are
common and it cannot possibly be mistaken for either of the other
two species. The male Warty Newt in breeding dress is very
colourful with an enormous jagged crest and a beautiful curved
tail which has a central pale white line. The body is dark sepia
brown, paler towards the tail, the dorsal surface is liberally
spotted, while the ventral surface is a brilliant orange or yellow
with various black spots.
Several very small, weak specimens were taken from a pond on
Debden housing estate. This pond was badly polluted, being
littered with debris, and the entire surface covered with a film of
floating oil and paint. It will be remarkable if this population
survives for another year.