234 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Two large Adders were seen in one part of the Common, one
of which was photographed. Amongst interesting plants seen
were Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) and a good growth of
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria sp.).
9 June—Hartswood, Childerditch and Thorndon Park. For
the whole of this meeting there was bright sunshine, an ideal
day for bird observation. Twenty-one members and friends
were present. Birds seen or heard were as follows: —Blue Tit,
Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Redstart, Willow Warbler,
Wood Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, Garden War-
bler, Blackcap, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Carrion Crow, Magpie.
Jay, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Wren, Robin, Yellow
Hammer, Tree Sparrow, Starling, Greater Spotted Woodpecker,
Linnet, Mallard, Swallow, House Martin, Reed Bunting,
Dunnock. Total species 31.
One very interesting record was of three male Wood Warblers
in different parts of the area; also it was good to see Redstarts
and Tree Pipits holding their own in Hartswood.
23 June—Galleywood Common, near Chelmsford. Heavy
rain and a thunderstorm did not deter 21 members and friends
attending this meeting. It was cool and windy, and at times
members had to take shelter under trees. The total number of
birds seen or heard was 32. These included Long Tailed Tit, Coal
Tit, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common and Lesser White-
throats. Chaffinch, Bullffnch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Jay, Carrion
Crow, Rook, Magpie, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Song
Thrush, Wren, Linnet, Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Robin,
Dunnock, Wood Pigeon, Pheasant, Starling, Blackcap, Plover,
Turtle Dove.
It was noticed that there was quite a number of Lesser
Whitethroats singing, and whilst sheltering beneath some Oak
trees members were able to see a small flock of Long Tailed Tits
at close quarters.
One Adder was seen during the morning.
20 July—Mill Green, Highwood, near Ingatestone. This was
a fine, dry and warm day. Twenty-one members and friends
attended this meeting. Birds seen or heard were as follows: —
Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Willow Tit, Common White-
throat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Swallow, House Martin, Song
Thrush, Blackbird, Yellow Hammer, Reed Bunting, Linnet,
Dunnock, Tree and House Sparrows, Wren, Robin, Wood
Pigeon. Nuthatch, Jay, Black-headed Gull, Chaffinch. Total
species 25.
8 September—Curtis Mill Green. Eight members and friends
attended this meeting held on a fine and sunny day. Birds seen
or heard were as follows:—Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit,
Coal Tit, Willow Tit, Spotted Fly-catcher, Yellow Hammer,
Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Magpie,
Jay, Linnet, Blackbird, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Green Woodpecker,