whilst the field maple is host to both the maple prominent (Ptilodontella cucullina) and maple pug
(Eupithecia inturbata).
Other woodland species include the exquisite rosy footman (Miltochrista miniata), the suspected
(Parastichtis suspecta) and the colourful orange moth (Angeronia prunaria), and wood-border
species the large twin-spot carpet (Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata) and sharp-angled carpet (Euphyia
unangulata). The abundance of sallow means that a number of species associated with the willow
tribe are present notable among them are the local small seraphim (Pterapherapteryx sexalata) and
the minor shoulder-knot (Brachylomia viminalis).
The reserve contains extensive blackthorn thickets which, again, play host to a number of species.
Among them is the sombre sloe carpet (Aleucis distinctata) of the spring which is an Essex speciality,
and the recently recognised sloe pug (Chloroclystis chloerata). The scattered spindle bushes support
a small population of the attractive scorched carpet (Ligdia adustata).
As would be expected, the reserve's wetland areas with their abundance of rushes, reed-mace and
aquatic grasses are rich in insects, the larger moths being no exception. They include the delicate
round-winged muslin (Thaumatha senex), the dingy footman (Eilema griseola), the attractively
marked double lobed (Apamea ophiogramma) and the tiny small rufous (Coenobia rufa), another
very local species in Essex.
No collecting of any kind is allowed in the reserve, save with a permit issued for scientific
purposes.
COLNE POINT
by R C. Hider
Most of the Essex coastline is low-lying, being formed from recently deposited material which is
shaped into mud-flats, salt-marshes and shingle ridges. The early colonisers of mud-flats, for instance
Seablite (Suaeda maritima) and sea-aster (Aster tripolium), facilitate the sedimentation of mud and
thus raise the level of the flats to that of the general salt-marsh where many additional species flourish.
At Colne Point the dominant species are salt-marsh grass (Puccinellia maritima), sea arrow-grass
(Triglochin maritima), sea-plantain (Plantago maritima), thrift (Armeria maritima), sea-lavender
(Limonium vulgare) and sea-purslane (Halimione portulacoides). These are generally typical of
Essex salt-marshes. In sheltered regions, such as Hamford Water, salt-marshes develop from mud-
flats without protection from the wave action of the sea. In contrast, at exposed positions like Colne
Point the saltings develop only behind shingle ridges. Although only a relatively small area, these
ridges form an important habitat which is stabilised by shrubby sea-blite (Suaeda fruticosa), sea-
campion (Silene maritima), sea-sandwort (Honkenya peploides) and marram grass (Ammophilia
arenaria). Like the mud-flats, the sandy-shingle ridges also have their characteristic early colonisers
such as the oraches (Atriplex spp.) and sea-rocket (Cakile maritima). These plants collect wind-
swept sand, thus increasing the height of the ridges. The higher parts of the salt-marsh and shingle
ridges together with the sea-walls carry their own distinct vegetation dominated by couch grasses
(Agropyron spp.) and containing sea-wormwood (Artemisia maritima) and sea-beet (Beta
vulgaris).
Since Roman times much of the salt-marsh has been isolated from the sea by sea-walls, the
resulting enclosed marshland being used as pasture. In more recent years these areas have been
drained and converted into arable land At the present time, virtually the entire coastline (500km) is
protected by sea-wall. Immediately inside the sea-walls are narrow strips of uncultivated land
bounded by drainage dykes and reed-beds. Not surprisingly, therefore, noctuid populations including
especially the wainscots are rich along such sections of the Essex coast Indeed, a number of relatively
scarce moths are largely localised in this habitat The cream-spot tiger (Arctia villica), for instance, is
quite common at Colne Point and probably has been throughout the last century (Cole, B.G., 1896),
the larvae favouring Chickweed (Stellaria spp.) on the sea-wall. The fox moth (Macrothylacia rubi)
also favours the coast and in some years is found in large numbers in the immediate vicinity of the
Colne Point sea-walls. The brown-tail (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) and the scarce footman (Eilema
complana) feed on bramble in this vicinity and during the summer months skippers (Thymelicus
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