An experiment was conducted by Miss A. Medhurst in 1978 which involved
analysing areas of water and mud in the stream, in samples taken from stagnant
and moving water, and in sunlight and shade. Data obtained in this com-
paratively simple experiment provided us with our first knowledge of the stream
relating to oxygen contents of the water, invertebrate population, soil structure
of the stream bed, water temperatures and bacteria levels.
If adult helpers or school-teacher volunteers are forthcoming it would be
good to form a junior conservation group from the local schools as a means of
ensuring continuity of care and management ten and twenty years from now.
In April 1978 the Tiptree Heath management committee and conservation
group was awarded first prize in the Essex County Council local amenity society
award scheme for its work on the Heath in 1976. The scheme is organised by the
Essex Archaeological and Historical Congress. It is likely that the cash prize will
be invested in a notice board which will welcome visitors to the Heath and stress
the importance of the site and its natural history. It will also acknowledge the
work of Tiptree residents whose blisters and determination are ensuring the
future of the Heath and its rich flora and fauna.
BIOLOGICAL RECORDING
Our initial recording projects in 1975 were confined to the birds and plants,
reflecting the talents of the joint leaders of the conservation group. The record
lists now total 61 bird species and 270 flowering plant, tree and shrub species.
Records have been added for mammals (13 species) reptiles (2) fungi (92)
beetles (79) moths (120 macro') butterflies (18) liverworts (6) and mosses (24).
The entomological group of the Colchester Natural History Society has been
particularly helpful in running mercury-vapour lamp surveys since 1976.
Individual CNHS members have contributed fungi and mammal records.
A survey of the grasses was made in the summer of 1978. Important
unrecorded groups include the Arachnids (spiders, mites, ticks) and the insect
orders Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, earwigs) Diptera (gnats, craneflies,
midges, mosquitos, flies, hoverflies) Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) and
Hemiptera (bugs, frog-hoppers, plant suckers).
Biological records are lodged with the Colchester Natural History Museum,
the Nature Conservancy Council and the respective county recorders. A species
list is currently being printed and will be available from the author on receipt of
a stamped, addressed envelope.
Birds
The bird population is typical of Essex heath and woodland. About 36
species are presumed to breed and a further 25 either winter or have been seen
occasionally. The heathland habitats of heather, gorse and grassland support
10