Wildlife and conservation review 2003 and Buglife, put their development plans on hold, allowing time for further survey work of the unique invertebrate assemblage and to develop a sustainable solution to its re-development. By the end of the year its value had been well and truly confirmed: its Invertebrate Index (a means of assessing its value for rare species) was demonstrated to be probably the second-highest of any site, natural, semi-natural or man-made, in the UK, surpassed only by Dungeness. And the sustainable development solution had been reached: EEDA withdrew the major part of their development plans, restricting them to just 8.5 hectares on the least valuable part of the site in biodiversity terms. The remainder is planned to become a nature reserve, managed by, for and with the people of Canvey Island, one which it is hoped will become an example to all of how to value and manage a brownfield site for biodiversity, a very important message given the scale of development (targeted on previously-developed land) proposed for the Thames Gateway and the other growth areas of the south-east. Furthermore, it was agreed that the developed area itself would be designed to further biodiversity objectives, by ensuring the buildings are designed to the highest standards of sustainablilty, and features such as the landscaping will be designed to complement the wildlife features of the adjacent nature reserve. The March drought broke briefly on the lst April, and there was even a sprinkling of snow on the 10th, but the hot, dry conditions soon reasserted themselves, with temperatures peaking at around 25°C. Unsurprisingly, this led to a number of wildfires, especially in the London fringe, although nothing of the magnitude of the forest and peat fires further north. In some parts of the uplands, it was suspected that the fires were set deliberately to destroy the nests and habitat of Hen Harriers and other raptors which are accused of damaging Red Grouse stocks. The glorious spring saw an early start to the season for Odonata, the first report being of a Large Red Damselfly at Cornmill Meadows on the 18th, a pattern which was repeated around the countiy. Similarly, the butterfly and bumblebee seasons got off to a flying start. Unfortunately, though, the weather on National Moth Night (April 12th) was not ideal, in some places producing a ground frost; nevertheless, vice-county 19 (North Essex) produced a very respectable total of 3 8 species, surpassed only by four favoured south coast vice-counties and, perhaps more unexpectedly, West Lancashire. Remaining with the insects, a group of specialist coleopterists visited Shoebury Ranges, searching for the endangered click beetle Melanotus punctolineatus. Many larvae and a single dead adult were duly located; it was last recorded in the Southend area in 1860. It now appears to be more frequent at this site than at its only other known UK location, in Kent. Spring is always an exciting time for birds, and this month was no exception. A drake American Wigeon was spotted at Cattawade, mirroring a similar occurrence in 2002, perhaps involving the same bird. Keeping eyes skyward paid off for some observers, with Black Kites over Brentwood and Shoeburyness, Osprey and Goshawk at Abberton, and Montagu's Harrier at Bradwell, while two White Storks (possibly of captive origin) flew over Clacton. Single birds of the latter species were also seen at Maldon and Brentwood. Also from southern climes, a Great White Egret was on the Dengie Peninsula, while a Red-rumped Swallow graced Hanningfield Reservoir, our contribution to a large national influx, and an Alpine Swift was seen at Fairlop Water. A Dotterel paused on its northward migration at Steeple, and, as if to remind us of the winter so recently departed, there were a few lingering Waxwings throughout the month. At least 4 Cetti's Warblers were singing around the county, and on the 28"', Common Swifts returned in force. 30 Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)