27
SOME ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS SINCE 1960
A look at the programmes of the Club since 1960 shows
that 126 Meetings of Ornithological interest have taken
place. The main habitats visited have been Mill Green,
South Weald Park, Danbury Common, Tiptree Heath, Thorndon
Park, Hartswood, Curtis Mill Green, Hylands Park, Galley-
wood Common, Goldhanger, Tollesbury, East Mersea,
Manningtree, Wrabness, Walton on the Naze, Fingringhoe
Wick, Epping Forest, Baldwins Hill and Lower Forest.
Most of these habitats have been visited regularly each
year and records have been kept. Such records have enabled
the Club to obtain some idea of the status of some birds.
For this report 12 birds are selected whose status has
changed in some way. These are divided into two groups:-
(a) Those whose status has increased -
to our credit.
(b) Those whose status has decreased -
a debit.
BIRDS SHOWING INCREASE IN STATUS
1. BLACKBIRD Turdus Merula
There are very few meetings when this bird is not seen
or heard. It is now probably the most abundant of our
resident birds. It is very adaptable and is certainly
not choosy about its nesting sites.
2. YELLOW HAMMER Emberiza citrinella
During the 1960's there was a reduction in numbers of
this bird, perhaps associated with the use of toxic
chemicals. However it has now recovered and most of
the open spaces and commons, such as Danbury, Tiptree
Heath, Galleywood, Fingringhoe, and Walton all have
their large populations of breeding birds. There are
few Club meetings when we fail to hear and see this
colourful bird.
3. KESTRE L Falco tinnunculus
Toxic chemicals brought about a decrease in most birds
of prey during the 1960's. With controls, and provision