News

In early 2007 our website underwent a complete revamp, developed for us by Teknica Ltd (the MapMate biological recording and mapping software company). We hope you will find this a useful resource and easy to use. The site is undergoing further development as time allows. Eventually we hope to be able to provide all our old publications back to the origin of the Club in 1880 as an on-line searchable resource, as well as access to information and pictures of our collections.

We currently have information on over 416,000 species records and 5868 different species available here on this website (see find out more... or species search pages), as well as information on sites of interest, geology in Essex and noteworthy Essex naturalists. As a registered user, you can add to these and edit existing information.

Green China by Heather Angel. An award-winning photographer and author showcases work from her project to highlight the rich diversity of China' wildlife. Saturday 27th March 2010 at 2pm, Springfield Parish Centre, Chelmsford. Tickets £9 each, booking essential. More information please contact Metis Education on 01702 305935 or

Our Exhibition & Social is a major event in the year for Essex naturalists. Don't miss this year's on Saturday 4th December, see Annual Exhibition and Social.

The Dragonflies of Essex by Ted Benton and John Dobson is a hardback volume of 240 pages published in May 2007 by the Essex Field Club in association with Lopinga Books. It is available for £20 incl. p&p (in UK only) from John Dobson. Please contact him on or 07913 348691 (mobile). It is printed in colour throughout.  The book includes accounts and distribution maps of all resident and migrant species with colour photographs of all species resident in the county.  Also included are chapters on the biology of dragonflies, a review of ‘hot spots’ in the county for observing the different species and details of historical recording from the Victorian era.

Ted Benton has recently discovered that Chester museum has lantern slides made by Hugh Main, a key figure in the Essex Field Club during the 20s, 30s and 40s of the last century. He is trying to find out more about his life-story, and of associates, especially E.E.Syms. Can anyone help with information about surviving relatives or acquaintances? Ted is particularly intrigued by the connection with Chester. Please email Ted at

The Herpetological Conservation Trust, Add an Adder  Please add your records. The older you are, the more work you will need to do since they are looking for historical records and even memories!!!