NOTES
331
Greater-spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Jay, Rook, Willow Warbler,
Wood Pigeon, Marsh Tit. It was good to see Wrens holding their
own, and also Tree Pipits and Redstarts.
Curtis Mill Green, June 14, 1964. Eleven members attended
this meeting in one of the S.S.S.I.'s. This is an interesting and
well wooded area. Birds heard or seen were as follows: Yellow
Hammer, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Tree Sparrow (a large colony
in the rides of the Wood), House Sparrow, Dunnock, Robin, Bull-
finch, Jay, Starling, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Willow
Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Willow Tit, Blue Tit, Greenfinch,
Goldfinch, Longtailed Tit, Chaffinch, Water Hen, Swift, Swallow,
House Martin, Cuckoo, Linnet, Pheasant.
Wryneck at Colne Engaine
An interesting report has been received from Mrs Noel Neild
of Colne Engaine, Colchester, who on August 15, 1964, watched
at a range of about twenty yards a Wryneck perched on a piece
of chestnut fencing. The bird was seen from the house near
Chapel churchyard, and one observer remarked on the way in
which the head of the bird turned. It is hoped that Members
will keep an eye open for the Wryneck which is now restricted
mainly to south-eastern England, and is believed to have
decreased in numbers within the last few years.
M.T.P.
Alder Moth
Mr P. W. Glassborow reports that he found a larva of the
Alder Moth (Apatele alni Linn.) in his garden at Loughton in
early August 1964. This insect is widely distributed in Wales and
England as far north as Yorkshire. It is curious that the larva,
which is markedly conspicuous, is seldom seen; can it be that it
normally feeds at a high level on the numerous kinds of trees and
shrubs it frequents? The imago has cryptic grey and black
markings, rests on bark and is naturally even more seldom seen
than the larva.
Hibernating Butterflies
The Spring of 1965 has seen a welcome number of Peacocks,
Small Tortoise-shells and Brimstones, in greater numbers than
for some years past. This does not necessarily mean that their
descendants will be numerous, but one hopes! Brimstones have
been seen in fair numbers on Skippers Island—not a visual
habitat. E. F. Williams.
Earthstars (Geaster sp.)
Further to the records published in The Essex Naturalist, 31 :
137, Earthstars have been reported from Purleigh, and Warren
Wood, Epping Forest (1963), and Leigh-on-Sea and Felsted, Essex
(1964). D.J.B.