A SURVEY OF ADDERS IN AN AREA OF EPPING FOREST 179
over Salt March, Wivenhoe (M. T. Parker).
Pied Flycatcher April 20, one male bird seen on railing at
entrance to Hylands Park. This bird is seen rarely on Spring
passage. August 25, Galleywood Churchyard, one seen (M. T.
Parker).
Fieldfare April 20, large flock was seen in Hylands Park
(M. T. Parker).
Wheatear September 10, one near Margaretting Church (M.
T. Parker).
Whinchat September 10, one near Margaretting Church (M.
T. Parker).
A Survey of Adders in an Area of Epping Forest
By G. Malenoir and John Pickett
During the early years of the herpetological survey of Epping
Forest, we discovered an area to the east of the Forest which con-
tained adders in some numbers. This area, which was referred to,
although not one of the main areas (A to D), in the published
account of the early work (see Wheeled, et al. 1959), was visited
on a number of occasions in 1957 and 1958. Unfortunately, during
the dry summer of 1959 the whole area was badly burned in exten-
sive fires and most of the undergrowth was killed off. Following
these fires we gave the area little attention until 1965 when we
discovered that the adder population was at least partially
restored. Preliminary study showed that there were considerable
numbers of adders present and, as other areas of the Forest are
now less well stocked than they were a decade ago, it seemed that
a concentrated survey of the area during 1967 would be well
worthwhile.
In addition to the size of the adder population, the area has
another advantage for such a study. It is a well defined entity in
that on three sides it is bounded by agricultural land, while the
fourth abuts on to closed canopy woodland. While the adders are
in no way limited by the hedgerows and fields of the farm land,
the latter make both a visible and tangible boundary for human
observers, and thus help to set limits for a regular and compre-
hensive search. The general vegetational features of the area and
its boundaries are shown in Figure 1. The area is not further
identified, as we feel it is undesirable to draw attention to the
locality.
The purpose of the present paper is threefold. Firstly, to place
on record the existence of a further substantial population of
adders in the Forest region. Secondly, to give some account of
the population size, sex ratio and natural history of this snake in
the area. Thirdly, to demonstrate the local seasonal migrations
within the area, which are linked with the vegetative zones.
The survey of the area was conducted by members of the
Herpetological Group at week-ends. A varied number of observers