3 2
A walk along the sea wall towards Mucking proved to
be rather 'sticky' as members collected considerable
amounts of mud on their shoes. However, a Corn
Bunting was heard and seen at close range, then 4
Ring Plovers kindly called and we were able to
watch them at close range. Another call enabled
us to recognise some Redshank in flight. On the
river we saw numerous Shelduck with numbers of young
following them. Reed Bunting, Skylark, Meadow
Pipit and a solitary Yellow Wagtail were all seen
and heard. Near the car park a Sedge Warbler
and Linnets were also seen.
A small group of the party were interested in the
botany of the area, and a good example of zonation
of plants was pointed out. Golden Samphire,
Sea Aster, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Purslane. One
interesting plant seen in the afternoon and remained
positively unidentified was a species of Allium; it
looked like a Leek, or was it Crow Garlic - Allium
vineale?
At the end of an enjoyable meeting the sun put in a
welcome appearance. It was also noted that 32
different species of birds had been seen or heard.
M. T. Parker
BOTANY GROUP MEETING. GREAT HOLLAND PITS RESERVE,
Sunday, 11th July, 1982
A fine and warm day for this meeting attended by
12 members and friends.
The Essex Naturalists Trust Reserve is in a disused
gravel pit which possesses a wide variety of habitats,
from dry, well-drained and almost sterile sand heaps
to fully aquatic places, with a meadow, scrub, thickets