25.
REPORTS OF MEETINGS
MANNINGTREE - RIVER STOUR - 7th September 1975
Over fifty Members and friends, including members
of the Essex Naturalist Trust, attended this meeting.
The weather was dry, fine and at times sunny. On
leaving the Railway Station the party made its way
to the River Stour and walked towards Flatford Mill.
In a ploughed field near the station a number of
Black headed Gulls, Lapwings and a few Partridge
and Carrion Crows were observed. A meadow next to
Borrow Pit and the sea wall was then crossed - here
we were able to observe Meadow Pipits, and in some
dried up ditches in the meadow some good specimens
of Ranunculus sceleratus. Near here, we were also
rewarded with the call of the Redshank.
Lunch was taken on the sea wall, and afterwards
the party made its way towards Cattawade Barrage.
The tide was coming in so few Waders were seen. In
spite of this, large flocks of Goldfinches were
seen on the thistles, a Kingfisher was observed by
one lucky group, and everyone saw at least six or
eight Herons. Some members were also fortunate in
observing in flight three Snipe, also two Common
Sandpipers.
The meeting ended at the railway station at
about 3.45 p.m. A count was made of the birds seen
and heard, the total being 28.
M. T. Parker
---oOo---
Writtle Agricultural College Conservation Exercise
Staff and students require the help of local natura-
lists to assist in a wildlife survey of the college
farms this summer to enable a conservation management
policy to be produced. Details from Ron Allen.