Bats in Essex in 1999 75
Brown Long-eared Bat Plecotus auritus (L. 1758)
An individual found hibernating in a bunker in the Lee Valley was the first record for TL30.
Other species recorded during 1999 included Noctule, Leisler's Bat and both species of Pipistrelle.
Essex Mammals in 1999
JOHN WRIGHT
47 Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh on Sea, Essex SS9 1NH
Although fewer records (around 1.000) were received in 1999, the year was a landmark for the
county with the publication of The Mammals of Essex. As we enter a new century, there is now a
baseline for the distribution of Essex mammals against which future surveys may be compared. It is
important that new records arc submitted and all members arc urged to collect records, particularly
of those less 'visible' species such as mustelids and small mammals.
The highlight of the year was the recording of a new species for Essex - a Pilot Whale Globicephala
melas which was present in the Thames Estuary for several days in early October.
Harvest Mouse Micromys minutus (Pallas 1771)
For the third consecutive year, the Harvest Mouse features in this report. After the success of the
previous year when 106 new sites were found during the autumn nest-finding season, a further 110
sites were found in 1999. Potential sites were observed from the road and featured rough grass
supported by other vegetation. The location of sites was as follows;
road verge 64% golf course 2%
field edge 26% plantation 1%
ditch 3% gravel pit 1%
green lane 2% woodland 1%
The most favoured situation occurred where arable land was bordered by a roadside verge. A field
edge was defined as where the nest was found in vegetation facing a field. Where fields were bordered
by ditches, nests were found in the collapsed vegetation in the ditch. Nests arc built in sites where
they are supported by surrounding vegetation to reduce damage from wind and rain. A variety of
supporting plants were used, as follows:
bramble 60% hawthorn 2% cocksfoot 1%
blackthorn 24% reed grass 1% ash sapling 1%
Willowherb 4% field maple 1% marram 1%
dock 2% elm suckers 1 %
wild clematis 2% common reed 1%
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)