27.
distributed by an aeroplane flying over them.
Both parties saw Cormorants, Redshank, Dunlin,
Curlew, Herons, Black-backed Gulls and Ring
Plover. One interesting record was a sighting
of a Stone Chat which is frequently seen at
Goldhanger at this time of the year. During
the lunch break one member located some Golden-
eye and Great Crested Grebe, the latter being
identified by telescope. It was interesting to
have seen one or two late Swallows flying over
the mud flats. A Peacock butterfly was also
observed.
Along the sea wall some large fungi Lepiota
procera were observed and in a ploughed field
numerous other large fungi which could not be
identified on the spot but were later reported
as Volvaria sp.
The total number of birds seen or heard
amounted to 35, an excellent total for what
proved to be a most successful and well
attended meeting to end the Field Meetings for
1976.
M. T. Parker
ESSEX BAT SURVEY - 15th December 1976
courtesy of Habitat.
The survey was inaugurated at the talk on
bats given in Chelmsford by Andrew McCleish.
If you have bats in your attic or shed or wish
to know more about them and help find out more
about these little known flying mammals, Andrew
would like to hear from you at Hallfield House,
Little Waltham, Chelmsford, Essex.