27.
meetings was between six and ten. We wish to
extend our thanks to our leaders and organisers
for the time and trouble that they took in
arranging and planning all our activities. We
also wish to extend our gratitude to the various
quarry owners who allowed us on their premises.
R. Coates & P. Allen
---oOo---
SOME NOTES ON E.F.C FIELD MEETINGS
Some 50 people met at North Weald Station
on May 2nd for the first of Mr. Parker's bird
rambles. In Epping Lower Forest the party saw
Willow Warblers and a Blackcap at close range.
Also heard were a Nuthatch, Great Tit and a
flock of Redpolls. In the afternoon ramble
along the Essex Way towards Ongar Park Wood
Willow Warblers were everywhere. 30 different
birds were noted during the day. Goldilocks,
a small buttercup that grows in damp woodlands,
was noted and also the Wood Sorrel.
70 people attended the Mill Green meeting
on May 23rd. Most saw and heard nightingales,
Mill Green being a regular stronghold for them.
Also noted were Blackcaps and Garden Warblers
with their similar song, Willow Warbler, Chiff-
chaff, Lesser and Common Whitehtroat. Tree
Pipits were seen and heard on the edge of the
Green. Afterwards we all met for tea in
Fryerning Parish Room, so ably provided by Mrs
Parker. It was reported that 35 woodland bird
species had been recorded.
Roy Masefield, one of our vice-presidents,
led the June 13th meeting to Great Holland Pits,
a nature reserve of the Essex Naturalists1
Trust. These worked out gravel pits provide a
variety of habitats from wet hollows to dry
banks, woodland and a pond. Insects noted