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be remembered that without public interest and support
the reserve may not exist at all.
So, what can we, as members of the Essex Field Club,
do to improve our image? Firstly, we could all perhaps
make more of an effort to encourage members by
discovering and discussing their particular interests
and maybe take time out during field excursions to
get together to discuss observations. It is all too
easy to single-mindedly pursue our own particular
hobby, not speak to our fellow member, say "thank you"
to the leader at the end of the day and head for home.
We don't want meetings to become "chat shows", but
there should be a happy medium.
Secondly, - well, have you got any ideas? Don't forget
that at each A.G.M. we seem to ask ourselves why there
are not more people attending the field meetings.
Your comments would be welcome.
MARGARET VERNON
THE LARGER MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES OF ESSEX
A Selection of Recent Records
Since the publication by the Essex Field Club in 1985
of * "The Larger Moths and Butterflies of Essex" (Essex
Naturalist, No. 8), many new records have been received,
a substantial number of which add to our knowledge of
the status and distribution of Essex macrolepidoptera.
I am grateful to all those observers who have continued,
or begun, to submit records and who, between them, have
* Referred to subsequently as "LMBE"