"Any activity which affects the survival chances, the breeding success or the reproduc-
tive ability of one or more individuals or which leads to a reduction in the quantity of
occupied habitat."
It would appear that the deliberate lowering of water levels in a water body fits within
this broad definition, even though the burrows themselves may not be directly damaged.
If so then this loophole may already be closed, with such dubious practice against the
law, but until a case comes to court it is difficult to know for certain. Until then planners
must assume that any disturbance, including tampering with water levels, is not accept-
able on Water Vole sites and any such instances should be documented and reported to
the relevant agencies.
Changes to programme
Since Roger Newton cannot lead the two Fungus Group meetings at Swaines Green or
Hainault Forest please note the following changes to the programme details:
Sunday 30th September Fungus Group Swaines Green, Epping. Meet at the Recreation
Ground, Lower Swaines, Epping (TL 454024). Please book. Leader Tony Boniface
(01245 266316)
Saturday 6th October Fungus Group Hainault Forest. Meet at top (Lambourne End)
car park opposite the Camelot Pub (TQ 478944). Please book. Leader Mary Smith
(01708 228921).
MapMate records
If you are using MapMate for your biological records, then please send these on regular
occasions using the MapMate synchronisation process. If the County Recorder MapMate
details are not listed, please contact your County Recorder to find out whether they are
able to receive records in this form or you can send your MapMate records to Peter
Harvey (cuk 2gv and email grays@peterharvey.freeserve.eo.uk), who will forward them
on. Current details for County Recorders who are definitely able to receive MapMate
sync records are as follows, but at least 7 more are or will be using MapMate and may be
able and willing to receive records in this way:
County Recorder MapMate Email Taxonomic groups
CUK
Tim Gardiner 3kb tg@writtle.ac.uk Orthoptera
Brian Goodey 6qa essexmoths@dsl.pipex.com Lepidoptera
Peter Hammond 6q2 peter.m.hammond@virgin.net Coleoptera
Mark Hanson 6q4 mark@hanson2468.fsnet.co.uk Veteran Trees
Neil Harvey 2hb neilh@essexwt.org.uk Larger Brachycera
Peter Harvey 2gv grays@peterharvey.freeserve.co.uk Arachnida, Hymenoptera, Isopoda
David Scott 6qn david.scott76@btopenworld.com Reptiles and amphibians
Del Smith 6bc delsmith444@btinternet.com Diptera (except hoverflies and larger
Brachycera)
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 54, September 2007
13