16.
have led to the Common being overgrown with
bracken with a consequent decline in Heather
and Grass. More recently the invasion of
Oak and Birch has almost finally suppressed
the former heathland vegetation and with such
drastic changes in habitat so the bird popu-
lations have altered also, and no doubt the
whole range of animals from Spiders to
Mammals. Even the Badger is seldom seen
today although occasional diggings at the
old sett show that it is still around.
The latest of these changes has been
the ploughing of what was left of the old
grassland and scrub for a cricket pitch.
This was one of the best areas for birds.
The scattered trees that the Tree Pipits used
as song posts have been felled and the rare
plants of the grassland have been lost.
Perhaps a cricket pitch will be a valued
amenity for the parish of Ingatestone and
Fryerning. It is sad to think though that
not even the local parishioners were con-
sulted, let alone any wildlife or conserva-
tion organisations. What is left of the
former medieval Forest of Writtle
(including Mill Green) is shortly to be
scheduled as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest which will give it some measure of
protection in that there will be the
requirement to notify the Nature Conservancy
Council before any further changes are made.
Few people today realise that the Common
really was common land and that the bulk of
the woodland is less than 100 years old and
mostly only 40 years or so.
To conserve the Common for its
historic and wildlife interest requires