22
Damsel Fly Larvae
Dragon Fly Larvae
Waterlouse
Fresh Water Mussel
Alder Fly Larvae
Secondly, the Lost Pond was visited and dipping produced:-
Further Common Toad Tadpoles
Four Palmate Newts.
Moving on the party visited Earls Path pond where newts
were even more abundant:-
Twelve Palmate Newts
Many Toad Tadpoles (Common)
Numerous Small Carp.
Strawberry Hill Pond really was out of condition, the
water being cloudy and nothing was found of interest.
The result of such a search is interesting in the
apparent rarity of the Crested Newt, no records at all, and
the less Common Smooth or Common Newt whilst the Palmate seemed
to be very common. Also the lack of Frogs and Frog Tadpoles,
the Toad being the commoner of the two. The latter is due
perhaps to the fact that the Forest Ponds are deep (Baldwins)
and fairly dark (Lost and Earls Path) this being more suitable
as a Toad habitat. It is hoped to revisit other Forest Ponds
soon, including those nearer London at Chingford and Woodford.
D.R. Scott.
Thorndon Park. 3.5.81.
Over 45 members and friends assembled in the larger of
the two car parks at 10 a.m. On arrival we were able to see and
hear a Tree Pipit singing from the top of a large Oak tree. The
day started off being dry, cold and with little or no sun. Two
groups were formed and it wasn't long before the calls of
Great Tits, Willow Warbler and Wrens were noticed. Lunch was
taken at 12.15p.m. near the cars and a resume of what had been
seen and heard put together from the two groups, the result
being that Nut Hatch, Tree Creeper, Willow Warbler, Garden
Warbler, Chiff Chaffs and Blackcaps had all been heard and seen
together with Blue, Great, Coal, Long tailed and Willow Tits.
Having threatened for most of the morning the rain came
after lunch, quite a number of members decided they had seen
enough, but a small group braved the rain and were rewarded with