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Although it was not possible to see the Greenwich
Observatory owing to the weather, which was somewhat hazy,
in clear air it is possible to see the monument from the
observatory at Greenwich.
The major interest in the rest of the walk was in the
birds. Over 30 species were observed or heard. It was
noted that the majority of the warblers were not singing and
the heat had caused the remainder to keep to the denser
trees and therefore difficult to see.
In the afternoon the party visited briefly the area of
the forest which had been pollarded in 1 948 as a demonstration
of the nature of the forest in 1880, or thereabouts, when the
lopping rights were extinguished by act of Parliament.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to Mr. Pratt
for the excellent arrangements which had been made and with
regret that he had been unable to accompany us owing to his
state of health. Members wished him and Mrs. Pratt a long
and happy time in their new house. It is hoped that he will
be able to attend some of the meetings of the Club in spite
of the distance. (Peter Glassborow)
June 28th. Hartswood, Thorndon Park, Brentwood. (Birds)
The 26 members present first watched, at close range,
a tree pipit in full song, and then were fortunate in
being able to hear and watch a wood warbler; this bird is
not very often seen or heard in Essex. Thorndon Park
provides a favourite habitat for this bird.
During the day, song thrushes, willow warblers, black-
caps and chiff-chaffs were also seen and heard. In the
afternoon, goldcrests were heard in the pine trees, but
were not seen. At the end of the meeting 32 different birds
had either been seen or heard. (Mike Parker)