News

As well as a much larger database of 5,348,209 county records for 15,280 species, we currently have ecological and phenological information on over 2,018,563, species records and 9,280 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.

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Our centre at Wat Tyler Country Park

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website for birdwatching in Europe

The health crisis caused by the Coronavirus forces most of us to stay at home as much as possible. In these difficult times, for the good of the community, it is better to stay at home. But you can keep on birding. On the new website www.birdingplaces.eu you can discover hundreds of bird-watching areas all over Europe online. All in one place. With next to every birdingspot exactly the information you need for some fine hours of birding.

You can also place your own favourite bird areas on the map. Just click on "Add a birdingplace" and follow the instructions. It's easy and fun to do with time on your hands when you have to stay at home in these times of self-isolation.

www.Birdingplaces.eu  is made by and for birders and non-commercial. It's an easy-to-use platform that connects bird watchers from all over Europe, allowing you to discover prime locations to observe birds in the UK and the rest of Europe. When you log in, you can also leave tips and comments, check out the Birdingplaces League or use the Find a Bird-tool. It's all free!

Please share this message with other birders, so we can fill the map with even more great birdingplaces.

PS: To celebrate the launch of Birdingplaces.eu you now have a chance on winning a topmodel Leica binoculars and telescope when you add birdingspots to the website. See www.birdingplaces.eu/go-in-and-win  for more information.

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Geronimo the grasshopper published. The second book in the Insect Adventures series of children's stories tells the tale of Geronimo the grasshopper, as he learns to jump higher and goes on an exciting adventure when he leaves his heathland home. Will he return in time to win the Mould Medal in the Heathland Games? The book was published by the Essex Field Club in July 2017 and has a foreword by Jimmy Doherty. The illustrations are by Andrea Ellis of Unequi Science & Creativity. To buy the book (£5.99 + £1.50 UK p&p) visit https://timsinsectadventures.blogspot.co.uk/p/geronimo-grasshopper.html . The books in the Insect Adventures series are designed to appeal to children between the ages 5-8 who are able to read alone or they can be read by parents at bedtime. The stories are split into eight easy to read chapters and introduce children to the lives of insects and how they adapt and survive in the wild.

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The Mammals of Essex by John Dobson and Darren Tansley is a hardback volume of 272 pages published in November 2014 by the Essex Field Club. It is available for £20 from John Dobson. Please contact him on 01245 224408 or . It is printed in colour throughout, there is a Foreword by Essex resident Germaine Greer and the book includes distribution maps of all resident species and reviews whales, seals, bats, rodents and carnivores as well as fossil species.  The final chapter provides identification tips for similar species and a photo-guide for identifying mammal field signs.

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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!!!