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Amphibian and Reptile Report 1998
DAVID SCOTT
Court Hill, Church Lane, Little Leighs, Chelmsford, Essex CMS JPG
The year produced a useful number of records of all the Essex species. Common frog still has
its main stronghold in garden ponds, whilst the common toad seems to be holding on well in
some very arabic parts of Essex. One typical site is the Leighs reservoirs (TL 703 185) where,
although surrounded by fields, a breeding colony of around a hundred pairs was seen in the
pumping pond to the north of the two lakes. In June, an Essex Field Club meeting at Hadleigh
Castle Country Park (TQ 802 868) produced good sightings of marsh frogs, presumed to be
Rana ridibunda. The frogs were calling loudly and three large adults were observed sunning
themselves on the edges of the dykes in the valley below the main Country Park area.
Smooth and great crested newt records have come from widespread areas, but only one record
was received in 1998 of palmate newt, from Warley. Epping Forest is the main stronghold of
this species, where it is very common. In April 1999, a pond dipping exercise at Fairmead Pond
(TQ 409 964) produced 25 smooth. 17 palmate and 4 great crested newts from four small pools
adjacent to the main pond. Similar numbers had been obtained two years previously from the
same pools.
On the reptile front, the year's highlight was a good number of grass snake records. These were
largely triggered by an article requesting reptile records in the Essex Wildlife Trust Brentwood
Members' Newsletter. Grass snakes were seen in garden ponds in Blackmore. Ingatestone and
Billericay; it seems that these reptiles are more welcome in gardens than in the past. A small
number of adder records were received, although I think illis shy animal often goes unnoticed,
the reserves and sea walls around the coast seem to be its main domain.
Records of common lizard and slow worm have been very few, and help is needed to assess
their distribution and status. Slow worms are most often seen basking but prefer to be hidden,
perhaps under debris on well rotted compost heaps. Common lizards have suffered as a result of
excessive grass cutting, especially along road verges. They arc however well-camouflaged, and
often overlooked as they sun themselves on a gatepost or old log.
One marine reptile was recorded. A dead leatherback turtle was found at the water's edge in
Aveley Bay, Rainham (TQ 535 791) in November 1998 - an excellent record of this deep ocean
wanderer.
Freshwater Invertebrates Report 1998
TONY WALENTOWICZ
Chelmsford Museums Service, The Old Cemetery Lodge, 1 Writtle Road, Chelmsford CM 1 3BL
Not so much a report, as a non-report. I originally put myself forward to cover the gap left by
Amphibia, Odonata, Hemiptera etc, and hoped that I might get some response. I have received
no records from anyone! Nor have I been able to devote much time myself to actual recording,
apart from a little at Sandford Mill.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 16 (1999)