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Fish
Five years of fish survey work was completed
in 1998 by Dr Alwyne Wheeler on Epping
Forest's ponds. It was one of the most
extensive fish population studies undertaken
and full details can be found in The London
Naturalist (Wheeler 1998). The most
significant finding in terms of wildlife
conservation was that only two ponds remain
in the Forest with pure Crucian carp
(Carassius carassius) populations. This native
species has undergone severe declines in the
last 40 years, so much so that Wyn Wheeler
believes that it deserves recognition in terms
of an official conservation status (eg
nationally scarce). English Nature has been
appraised of this and in the meantime the
strategy for the smaller Forest ponds is to try
to re-establish viable Crucian carp populations
in more of the ponds.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Phase 1 of a Forest-wide amphibian survey
was carried out between March and May
1998. It covered 56 of the 100+ Forest ponds,
assessing populations by two night-time
counts per pond: its findings proved very
interesting. Only two ponds were found to
hold all five locally native species of
amphibians, as compared to probably six
ponds in the 1950's. A further five ponds were
shown to support four species of amphibians.
It is hoped, however, that phase 2 will reveal
other ponds in these categories.
The totals for the species were as follows:
Species Ponds
great crested newt 22 (39%)
palmate newt 28 (50%)
smooth newt 40 (71%)
common frog 22 (39%)
common toad 27 (48%)
Birds
The Essex Bird Report is the place to look for
a summary of the county's birds, but worth
mentioning in Epping Forest was its highlight
of the year, a Richard's pipit on Chingford
Plain. It stayed around for nearly two weeks in
late October and early November and
provided tremendous comparative views
alongside two meadow pipits and some
skylarks. The Richard's pipit's size and
elegance made it look much more like a large
wagtail and it had the same swooping flight. A
really tremendous bird to brighten a wet and
cold November morning!
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 16 (1999)