Bee Orchids and Corn Marigold in North Essex
(see plate 5). The density of the Com Marigolds was such that it was possible to harvest the seed
and these went to Emorsgate Seeds. This company specialises in providing native wildflower seeds
sourced from the UK for planting schemes. Therefore, it is now possible to include genuine Essex
Corn Marigold in local initiatives.
References
LANG D.C. (2001) A new variant of Ophrys apifera in Britain. BSBI News 88: (38-40).
SANFORD, M. (1991) The Orchids of Suffolk. Suffolk Naturalists' Society.
Edible and Marsh Frogs in Essex - notes for 2001
DAVID SCOTT
Court Hill, Church Lane, Little Leighs, Chelmsford CM3 1PG
Over the past few years, there have been increasing numbers of reports of non-native frogs in
Essex, the origins of which are unknown.
The Marsh Frog Rana ridibunda was introduced from the Continent to Romney Marsh in Kent in
1935, and by 1939 it had spread over a wide area of the marsh. They are still to be found in that
area, and may be the origin of the Essex colonies, the first of which was established in Hadleigh
Castle Country Park (TQ 804856). They were first reported to me by John Wright in 1991, occurring
in the brackish dykes of the grazing marsh. These frogs have been examined at close quarters, and
their identity confirmed. By 1998 it was reported that they were found in their hundreds along these
ditches (Cranfield 2002).
More recently, a second colony has been reported by Dougal Urquhart from Langenhoe Marsh, a
Ministry of Defence danger area south of Colchester (TM 027184). An estimated five to ten
individuals were heard calling on 23rd July 2001. Visual confirmation of their identity has yet to be
made, but their call and proximity to the sea (again in brackish waters) would tend to support the
identification as Marsh Frogs.
A related species, in the European 'green frog' group, is the Edible Frog Rana esculenta. Reports
of this species could possibly be confused with the Pool Frog Rana lessonae, a similar species but
with shorter back legs, and one which is increasingly considered to be a recently-extinct British
native species. It is presumed however that Essex records of Pool Frog from Basildon and Witham
(Cranfield 2002) are introductions. Numerous introductions of Edible Frogs have taken place over
the years, dating back before 1837 in Cambridgeshire, where they were called 'Cambridgeshire
Nightingales' on account of their loud calls during the breeding season.
During 2001, Edible Frogs were recorded by John Dobson in the pond by Epping cricket pitch (TL
443007), where one adult and several young were seen on 10th August and. Dougal Urquhart reported
an adult in the bird hide pond at Cudmore Grove Country Park (TM 067148) on 2nd July. Also
during the year, Edible Frogs were reported as present in the Lee Valley Park (TL 380056), but
their identification awaits confirmation.
Victorian naturalists were particularly keen on introducing non-native species such as Edible Frogs.
Perhaps fortunately, their efforts seem largely to have been in vain as few, if any, long-lasting
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 19 (2002)