The more slowly moving and richly vegetated lower reaches of the Roman River are
bordered by the invertebrate-rich Friday Wood and its associated heathland as well as
extensive water-meadows with well-vegetated ditches. There are also high-quality farm
ponds and an area of flooded pits (Rowhedge Pits). Close by. but outside the
Conservation Zone as strictly defined are still more pits at Old Heath. The latter have
been subject to rubbish tipping, motor-cycle scrambling and other threats very recently,
but still supported at least nine species until 1982. when they were last visited.
In the lower reaches the river itself supports such species as Calopteryx splendens.
Pyrrhosoma nymphula. Coenagrion puella and Enallagma cyathigerum, whilst the
common hawker and darter species are frequently seen in the vicinity of the river, in
nearby woodland rides, or over heathland. The flooded pits support strong colonies of
the very local Erythromma najas, and Orthetrum cancellatum, whilst the very scarce (in
Essex) Libellula quadrimaculata has been seen at the Old Heath Pits. In total, thirteen
species have been observed along the river and in associated woods and heaths, with a
further three in the nearby pits, and one more. Lestes sponsa, breeding in a small farm
pond in the valley. With a total of seventeen species, the Roman River complex
compares very favourably with the better known sites in the west of the county.
(f) Wat Tyler Country Park and Pitsea Marsh
This site, again, is characterised by a combination of habitat diversity and a
conservation-conscious management regime. A large area has the benefit of S.S.S.I.
status. Several observers, most notably J. Shanahan and D. S. Walker have reported on
the dragonflies of the Country Park and the nearby fleets and dykes of Pitsea Marsh.
The pond-life conservation area has a respectable total of the commoner species of still-
water habitats, together with such localised species as Lestes sponsa. Lestes dryas and
Libellula depressa. The adjacent dykes support Orthetrum cancellatum. Sympetrum
sanguineum and both Lestes sponsa and Lestes dryas. The total number of species
recorded from the complex since 1980 is twelve.
2, Ornamental Lakes and Ponds
(a) Hylands Park. Writtle, near Chelmsford
This landscaped country park is managed by Chelmsford District Council. It has a
number of ponds and a fishing lake which have been studied since 1981 by J. Shanahan.
He has recorded a total of fifteen species at the site during this period. The majority of
these species are well-established elsewhere in Essex, though the presence of local
species as Sympetrum sanguineum. Libellula depressa, and Lestes sponsa, and the very
high total number of species makes this an outstanding site in the context of the county
as a whole. Shanahan's lists also include the very local Erythromma najas and the
moving-water species. Calopteryx splendens, though it is unclear whether either species
breeds in the park.
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