COVID-19 Update
In the light of the latest government restrictions limiting the number of people that can meet together the society has cancelled ALL field trips for 2020 and indoor meetings for the present time.
Sam Shippey - 20th September 1933 to 1st December 2020
by Howard Vaughan
On Tuesday night - I lost my third Granddad. I was fortunate to grow up with a full suite of Grandparents all of whom lived to a ripe old age, so to inherit another one was one of those rare bonuses that life throws your way.
I suspect I knew Sam for something like 35 years starting from early visits to Dagenham Chase when I was under the wing of Ken Barrett and then through my fervent 1990s birding scene when I was also asked to become art editor for the Essex Bird Watching Society. Sam, like me, was one of the artistic contributors and I remember asking him for specific pieces to put into the publications. Read more...
Virtual Indoor Meeting #NocMig
SSsssssshhhh! I’m trying to sleep!
#NocMig by David Darrell-Lambert
Held on Friday 20th November 2020 at 8.00pm
Big County Birdwatch 2020
Matt and the two Steve's review this year's Big County Birdwatch
Photos
Latest Highlights
| Waltham Abbey: 1 White-fronted Goose |
| Rayne: 1 Egyptian Goose |
| Langdon Hills NR EWT: 1 Bullfinch |
| Great Notley: 1 Bullfinch |
| Hatfield Peverel: 1 Brambling |
| Waltham Abbey: 2 Egyptian Goose |
| Stanford Warren: 1 Kingfisher |
| Great Leighs: 3 Red Kite |
| Dovercourt: 1 Short-eared Owl |
| Cold Norton: 1 Red Kite |
Latest News
Stay at Home Wildlife Recorders Club
The British Naturalists Association have set up this online club to record all the sightings in gardens during the Covid-19 crisis. This is a great opportunity for everyone to take part in a BNA Citizen Science Project watching and recording nature in your garden. Full details are below.
WHAT TO RECORD AND WHAT NOT TO RECORD
1. Record only those species of birds, butterflies, wild flowers etc. that you see in your garden or from your garden or house.
2. Birds that you see flying that do not land in your garden can be recorded as can animals, deer etc. that you might spot from your garden in a nearby field so long as you can see them without leaving your garden or house
3. Any wildlife you spot whilst taking exercise away from your house or garden should not be included in your records.
4. Only record on your chart a species once, the first time you see it. If you see for instance a robin on a number of occasions in your garden do not record it on your chart every time you see it.
5. A chart is provided for you to keep a record of your own individual sightings, but feel free to produce your own chart.
6. Encourage others in your area to record wildlife sightings and then set up an online community group. Nominate a co-ordinator and send your sightings to that person to combine sightings onto one chart.
7. We have a team of experienced naturalists who can help identify difficult species. Please take a photo and send it to chairman@bna-naturalists.org and we can help you
Websites to help with identification
Birds: www.rspb.org
Butterflies: www.butterfly-conservation.org also www.ukbutterflies.co.uk
Wildflowers: www.seasonalwildflowers.com also www.wildflowerfinder.org.uk
Dragonflies: www.dragonflysoc.org.uk
Bugs: www.britishbugs.org.uk
Also for a range of species: www.first-nature.com
RSPB Old Hall Marshes car park closure
The RSPB have decided to no longer open the gate to RSPB Old Hall Marshes at the weekend, as of the 1st of February 2020. It will remain open as normal during the weekdays. It will still also be able to arrange access for organised groups wishing to access the reserve at the weekend.
Attached is a note that explains why they are doing this - as a result of a review of into the amount of resource put into maintaining a 7 day week operation at the reserve. By removing this they will be able to put more resource and time into carrying out vital conservation tasks and still maintain site security and prevent anti-social behaviour occurring on the reserve.