40
Water—plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica),
Rigid Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) and
Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans).
The best -finds, however, were on a (presumably)
chalky bank where there was abundant Cowslip
(Primula veris), now in fruit, and Hoary
Plantain (Plantago media), but closer
inspection revealed a very small patch of
Sulphur Clover (Trifolium ochroleucon) and a
single tiny plant of Yellow—wort (Blackstonia
perfoliata).
JEREMY ISON
BIRD GROUP MEETING, HEYBRIDGE AND CHIGBOROUGH
LAKES, 23RD JULY, 19S9
Heybridge proved to be the disappointment of
the year for the ten members who met on a
bright but very blustery day as extensive works
by the Water Authority had reduced the sea wall
and the area inland to such an arid desert
devoid of grass or bushes that all the birdlife
(and the numerous butterflies we have seen on
previous visits) with the sole exception of
gulls had been forced to move elsewhere. It
will be some considerable time before this
venue becomes worth visiting again.
We departed hastily for Chigborough and took
lunch before walking around the lakes. The
whole area was somewhat overgrown and in need
of a good deal of maintenance work, but we
fought our way right round. The main
attraction of this reserve is the Ruddy Duck, a