Amphibians and Reptiles
Fortunately, due to the work of David Scott (pers. comm.), mainly in the 1950s, the
account of the amphibian and reptile fauna of Lords Bushes is probably complete.
During my recording (mainly in 1979) it has become obvious that there has been some
decline in the species present and it is likely that two factors are involved: (a) the ponds
Pl and P2 have become infilled with beech leaves and also the dam was broken for the
pond P2 and hence they dry out in summer making them unsuitable habitats for am-
phibian young and (b) Lords Bushes had become very overgrown with excessive over-
shading by the beech trees and consequently unsuitable habitat for the sun loving
reptiles. No reptiles and only two amphibians were recorded in the 1979 survey.
Crested Newt Triturus cristatus
This, the largest of the three British species of newt, was recorded by Scott from ponds
Pl and P2 in the years 1953-59 in 'fair numbers' though with a preference for Pl, which
was deeper and more shaded than P2. This includes records in 1953 of this species
breeding in car tyres discarded in Pl. Not recorded on the 1979 survey.
Smooth Newt Triturus vulgaris
This species was recorded as being common in the ponds in Lords Bushes in the years
1953-59. I have not recorded this species in Lords Bushes in 1979 but it is abundant in
my garden pond (adjacent to Lords Bushes) and, including lesser numbers of the
palmate newt, I have counted in one night in excess of 60 newts in the pond which is
about 3.5m across.
Palmate Newt Triturus helveticus
This was the only species of newt I recorded in Lords Bushes in 1979, noted under logs
and on a number of occasions under rubble in (5) the North Edge of Lords Bushes. Scott
noted them to be common from 1953-59 in the ponds and noted they were more
frequently encountered than the smooth newt.
Common Toad Bufo bufo
Described as the most numerous amphibian in Epping Forest by Malenoir (43) most
records of this species in Lords Bushes are of animals migrating from their winter
hibernating quarters (probably local gardens) to their breeding grounds, Knighton
Pond. Toads were noted in some numbers in 1953 and on 26 March 1956 approximately
70 were noted moving towards Knighton Pond. I have no record of this species for 1979
in Lords Bushes, though in all probability it still breeds in Knighton Pond.
Common Frog Rana temporaria
Scott noted this species to be fairly common in the Lords Bushes ponds in 1953-59 and
previously in the late 1940s he had recorded as many as 80 pairs of this species in the
pond P2 and in the 1960s noting a decline which is still evident. I recorded spawn from
only 3 or 4 females in 1979 deposited in one shallow corner of the pond. Young frogs and
the occasional adult I noted on the burnt and disturbed area.
Slow Worm Anguis fragilis
This secretive lizard was recorded by Scott between 1950-55 on waste land bordering
Lords Bushes. It is often found in open habitats, where it is able to bask, and this would
seem to preclude its occurrence in the wooded area of Lords Bushes. This species still
occurs in gardens which back on to the Buckhurst Hill/Woodford branch of the Central
Line where it is (along with the common lizard) apparently to be found quite commonly,
spending the winter months hibernating in compost heaps.
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