30.
flowers fully out. Yellow Figwort was still flowering,
but only just, at its classic site near Brickhouse Farm
and several plants were seen and photographed by members
of the party.
NOTES ON SOME MEETINGS
Michael Parker writes - The May l8ths "Presidents
Meeting" at Mill Green was nothing short of a success.
56 members enjoyed a fine day, the sun shining and the
birds making their presence felt by some excellent song.
Two groups were organised, and just as both were setting
off, all were able to see and hear a tree pipit and a
common Whitethroat. One group were successful in
locating and listening to a nightingale. The similar
songs of garden warbler and black cap were distinguished
and one party heard the distinctive call of the female
cuckoo so different to the usual louder call of the male.
Most members returned for an excellent tea in the
Fryerning Parish Room where reports on the days sightings
were presented. A vote of thanks was made to the ladies
who prepared the tea and kindly did the washing up.
Tiptree Heath was our venue on 27th July and we were
joined by members of the Young Ornithologists Club of
the RSPB. A dull day to start but the sun was out by
noon and the afternoon proved very warm indeed.
Linnets and yellow hammers were seen and the air seemed
to be full of their songs. Numerous redpolls were noted
amongst the birches. Many observations were made on the
plants of the area and these appear elsewhere in this
Bulletin.
The meeting on June 15th to Curtismill Green was held
on a cooler day after a run of warm weather. At the
start of the meeting Members were able to hear and see
a greenfinch in full song and nearby a willow warbler,
tree sparrows and linnets. Bullfinches were seen later
in the morning and in some oak trees a single goldcrest,
with its distinctive, yet quiet little song. After lunch
a visit was made to the Richards Stone at one corner of
the woods and a stop was made to listen to a common
Whitethroat and watch a great spotted woodpecker. Later