Some observations on changes in the wildlife of Epping Forest since 1939
Squirrel - which I considered more unusual. However this was soon to change. By 1946 a second
LNHS survey undertaken nearby in a similar area, Ludgate Plain, did not record the Red Squirrel at
all (Council of the Chingford Branch , LNHS 1947). Some Reds survived in declining numbers until
the species was virtually extinct in the Forest by the mid-1950s and in Essex by 1970.
My diary in 1941 reminds me of one particular incident. Early one summer morning I watched a
confrontation between a Stoat and a Red Squirrel in Fairmead Thicket. The Stoat was some 2.5-
3.0m up a beech tree whilst down on the trunk below, just above the buttressed base of the tree, was
the Red Squirrel. The squirrel dare not turn back to the ground and could not go up. They 'jockeyed'
for tactical advantage for several minutes with much chattering. Finally the squirrel succeeded, with
one of his quick dashes around the tree, in reaching brambles where they both disappeared.
Badgers and Hares
In the 1940 and 50s there were two large and active Badger Meles meles setts within the Forest. By
the early 1960s, in a comparatively short time, those setts were deserted. Badger numbers in private
woods beyond the Forest did not change so markedly. One can only speculate about this, but this
period saw a rapid increase of car ownership which allowed greater access to the previously more
remote parts of the central and northern areas of the Forest. Other possible causes were disturbance
from increased 'badger-watching' and increased penetration of these remote areas by dog walkers.
Badgers are still relatively active in quiet localities beyond the edges of the Forest.
Brown Hares Lepus europaeus were frequently 'put-up' within the woodland - even in the very
centre of the Forest at Loughton Camp and particularly in the Bury Wood and Fairmead Thicket.
During the late 1960s I knew of a Hare that was lying-up regularly in Woodmans Glade, always in
the same spot, for most of two summers (if not disturbed too often). Then, whenever the snow
arrived it was possible to see how active and widespread Hares were within the woodland generally.
Reptiles and Amphibia
Numerical frequency in the case of reptiles is more difficult to assess due to low numbers of records.
Certainly the Common Lizard Lacerta vivipara was recorded 'frequently' in the 1942-4 survey on
Peartree Plain. More subjectively, based on notes from the 1940s, 1960s, 70s and more recently, I
suspect there has been a steady decline in numbers judging by the frequency with which I have seen
lizards. This might be expected as the decline of heathland has continued. Although they can often
be found in dry Tufted Hair-grass Deschampsia caespitosa and dry Puqile Moor-grass Molinia
caerulea.
I think one can say something rather similar about Slow Worms Anguis fragilis and Adders Vipera
berus - 'one seemed to see them more often in the past'. More positively I can say my records of
seeing Grass Snakes Natrix natrix were more frequent in the 1940s Forest than they are today. That
of course may be related to the decline of the Common Frog Rana temporaria. The survey records
the Grass Snake as, "occasionally seen in various parts of the area". This suggests several different
individual animals were being seen - certainly that is how I remember it. I do not think that could be
said of the area today.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 18 (2001)
J 15