Grass Snake Natrix natrix
Scott recorded 2 or 3 grass snakes 'near Forest Edge' about 1950-54. I have not
recorded this species on the 1979 survey.
Adder Vipera berus
Adders were certainly present in Lords Bushes up to 1957 and probably until the mid
1960s, when I recall finding a young one (which I reluctantly had to destroy) in a neigh-
bour's garden adjacent to Lords Bushes.
Birds
The history of birds in Lords Bushes is not well documented. Buxton (9) mentions a
number of species that occurred on and about his estate (Knighton, adjacent to Lords
Bushes) and other species then common in Epping Forest, which are likely to have
occurred in Lords Bushes. Among the records of particular interest are sparrowhawk,
which bred at Knighton, and the barn owl which Buxton noted in Lords Bushes. Other
records include the hawfinch which was recorded in Lords Bushes in 1933 and the rather
startling record of redshank, a pair of which nested in a field adjacent to Lords Bushes
in 1932 (4).
The present recording period covers the years 1978-1980 with most records from
1979-1980. The majority of the species listed below are typical of lowland mixed
deciduous woodland. The burnt and disturbed area has obviously attracted a number of
species, among them seed-eaters such as the redpoll, goldfinch, and reed bunting in the
winter months. In summer, the dense shrubby growth and open areas adjacent to wood-
land, make it a good habitat for warblers. It is interesting to speculate that recently
felled woodland would be a suitable habitat for the nightjar, though for a variety of
reasons, among them a drastically declining national population and, locally, probably
what would be excessive human disturbance, I have not been able to record this species
for Lords Bushes.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Can be seen in small numbers at any time of the year including a maximum of 21 (from
the adjacent Knighton Pond) feeding on the burnt and disturbed area. On the 27th
April 1979 a duck with 2 ducklings was noted on the bomb crater C1.
Kestrel Falco tinnuculus
I noted a male bird frequently in the winter months about the burnt and disturbed area
in search of prey. This species was recorded in 1956 (Scott pers. comm.) nesting in a
beech tree in Lords Bushes.
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Seen only rarely on the two ponds Pl and P2, though it breeds on nearby Knighton
Pond.
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
A single bird seen on the burnt and disturbed area on 8th Nov. 1980.
Stock Dove Columba oenas
As many as 3 pairs of this species may have bred in Lords Bushes in 1979, a pair were
noted inspecting a nest hole in a beech tree as early as the 8th March.
Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus
Present as a breeding bird and was noted often in some numbers (max. 180 birds) in the
winter of 1978-79.
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