Wildlife and Conservation Review of 2001
Abberton, while more reputable ducks on our inland waters included 3 Velvet Scoter at Hanningfield
and a Ferruginous Duck (always tinged with the escape possibility) at Netherhall Gravel Pit. At
Old Hall, Brent Goose numbers rose to 1070 and Teal to 1478, the vanguard of winter which was
also signalled by the arrival of a Northern Grey Shrike at Langenhoe, Water Pipits at Rainham,
and 2 Bitterns in the Lee Valley. A singing Cetti's Warbler was a welcome return to Howlands
Marsh, after an absence of several years, and Little Egrets continued increasingly to dominate the
coastal scene. Up to 90 were seen going to roost at St Osyth, with more than 100 at Foulness and 90
at Two Tree Island. Even though the latter two roosts may include considerable duplication, it is
clear that our egret numbers were at an all-time-high.
As mentioned in previous reports, it is likely that changes in our avifauna are attributable at least in
part to global climate change. How long before the international community takes notice of such
signs? Well, perhaps they are; 180 countries met in Marrakesh to agree how to deliver their
Kyoto commitments on reducing climate-altering emissions. After much hard negotiation,
especially as regards the allowable contribution of existing and future carbon sinks (eg major
forests), agreement was reached The future should look rosier, albeit tainted by the absence from
the meeting of the United States, the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide. The US reneged
upon their previous Kyoto agreement, saying they recognise the problem, but wishing to address
it through their own domestic measures, rather than being driven by the international community.
What a sheltered, if misguided and undeniably arrogant, life is enjoyed by the world's only
superpower!
Winter
The relatively mild autumnal conditions continued into November, leading to lots of late butterfly
records, mainly Red Admirals and a few Small Tortoiseshells, but remarkably also a Speckled
Wood on 2nd. Abitterly cold airstream set in on the 9th, but it was short-lived, with warm sunshine
returning after a couple of days. This led to the re-emergence of the insects which had not been
killed by the frosts, including Common Darters, especially in coastal regions. Reflecting the
prolonged autumn, Dark Bush-crickets were still in full song in the first week of the month, and a
few survived even later, including singing individuals at Colchester Hythe on 14th and Dovercourt
on 21st. Even more remarkably, Roesel's Bush-crickets rarely seem to survive beyond October,
but on 15th November I heard one in good song on a south-facing sea wall at Langenhoe in lovely
warm sun, even though the adjacent borrowdyke was still frozen over.
Maybe the autumn weather patterns were also responsible for an enviable sighting off Bradwell on
the 7th. Clive Barton was sea(bird)-watching, when a large 'jellyfish' drifted into view just offshore.
Its main body was large, some 60 x 90cm, with ajelly-like sail about 20cm high atop the body; the
tentacles were estimated at around a metre long, although they were difficult to see. It was a
Portuguese Man-o'-War Physalia physalia, an ocean-going species which is occasionally driven
into UK waters by south-westerly gales. It is not in fact a true jellyfish, but a colonial hydrozoan,
bearing a common float and sail.
The weather also allowed fungal explorations to continue, including a Fungi Group trip to the City
of London Cemetery, which at about 85 hectares is the largest single-site cemetery in Europe. It
already had a good list of some 190 species, and a good selection of these was seen on the day,
along with 9 new species for the list.
In contrast, birds didn't seem to be so affected by the mild weather, as there were few lingering
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 19 (2002)