The Essex Naturalist
23
known to be present on the reserve. The Warden, Peter Nightingale, reported
an increase in reptile numbers over the previous three years. This was thought to
be a direct result of the heathland conservation project now in operation. The
highlight of the amphibian scene was the recording of a pair of Great crested
newts Triturus cristatus in the deep pool. This was a first record for this newt at
the Backwarden reserve.
Epping Forest features strongly on the amphibian front as all three British
newt species occur there. In recent Essex Field Club recording meetings the
Palmate newt T. helveticus was found to be the most common species and
preferred the higher ground ponds, such as, for example, Earls Path Pond and
the Lost Pond. The Great crested newt showed a preference for low lying clay
ponds such as on Fairmead Bottom. The common newt T. vulgaris was found in
all waters. Common frog, toad Bufo bufo, grass snake and adder were also
recorded. Common lizard records are increasing as a result of the forest plain
reclamation work which has been carried out.
Alien species continue to crop up and there have been various reports of a
noisy green frog from Fairmead Pond in Epping Forest and from Baddow Park
near Chelmsford. These are believed to be one of the edible frog group of species,
most likely the pool frog Rana lessonae, that has escaped from captivity. There are
at least three known places in the county where captive pool frogs are kept. This
interesting species occurs naturally from France eastwards to central Europe, to
west Russia, north to Sweden and south to Italy and the northern limit of the
Balkans. Adults measure about nine centimetres and are mostly green with dark-
spots and a yellow stripe down the midline of the back. The male has external
vocal sacs at the corners of its mouth - whitish in colour and about the size of a
hazelnut. The frogs are noisy during the breeding season in April and May but
after this period make a quieter "summer" croaking. In spite of the described
differences, capture of the animal is required to confirm identification.
Red-eared terrapins are often reported as having escaped or been released.
This year, reports have come from Great Holland Pits, Dovercourt Borrowdyke,
Carpenters Farm reservoir, Great Bentley and Danbury Ponds near the Youth
Camp. One bullfrog record, from Aingers Green, Great Bentley, completes the
list of alien records.
Some interesting Hymenoptera records for 1995
P R Harvey
9 Kent Road, Grays, Essex RM17 6DE
The Hymenoptera of Essex are dealt with in further detail elsewhere in this issue
of the journal. Records of particular interest tor 1995 are described below. These
have been made by the author except where stated. The importance of the East
Thames Corridor for invertebrates continues to be emphasised by many of these