20.
Forest, at map ref TL 479038, is a large and
well established rookery. A few members
volunteered to count the nests which proved
to be a rather difficult task because of the
density. Numbers varied from 120 to 140 -
certainly there are over 100 nests here.
These nests are mainly in Ash and Oak with
one or two in Hornbeam. One bird not heard
so much was the Wren. One wonders if Wrens
have suffered from the cold winter of 1979.
Wood Sorrel, Hornbeam, Primroses, Ash in
flower and Oak breaking bud were noticeable
as signs of Spring, a late one in 1979.
A Comma and a Peacock butterfly were
seen by one group in the afternoon.
At the end of a very rewarding meeting
22 species had been seen or heard. This
number in a warmer Spring could quite easily
have reached over 30.
M. T. PARKER
---oOo---
CUDMORE GROVE COUNTRY PARK, EAST MERSEA
6TH MAY 1979
Over 50 members and friends assembled in
the Country Park car park at 10.30 am. The
large party was split into three groups led
by members of the Ornithology Group. We were
very pleased to have with us Mr J. B. Bennett
of East Mersea, one of our senior members.
During the morning each group were for-
tunate in seeing migrating Wheatears on the
open grass land and in the meadows near to
the Sea Wall, both male and female were seen.
Near a pond, Coot with young, a Dabchick,