19 From inside the community Nature Notes These articles first appeared in the Mylander Issue No. 38, February 2009. On that occasion I took the immediate opportunity to comment on the land that would be developed as Chesterwell. I had a favourite viewing point where I could look out and across towards West Bergholt and Great Horkesley and described what I saw. I also reported some of the details gathered from a wildlife, flora and fauna, survey of the site carried out by colleagues at Colchester Natural History Society. There were many, many species. The presence of flora and fauna in Myland, whether it was from our garden or further afield, such as High Woods Country Park and Cymbeline Meadows, became a frequent subject. In this way the Nature Notes became a kind of diary of change. Some changes were disappointing and others a pleasant surprise. It is inescapable that bird species once frequently seen in the garden have reduced dramatically, in particular the finches. Greenfinch, chaffinch and goldfinch used to visit in good numbers, now we are lucky to see any. On the other hand house sparrow numbers have increased and we still see robins, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, long-tailed tits and wren regularly, and there are others we often see, for example, greater spotted woodpecker, blackcap, blackbird and if we look up we often see buzzards. A significant plus point is the number and species of butterflies now seen. Holly blues, orange tips, peacocks, red admiral, small tortoise shell, (in the photo), painted ladies and now gatekeepers and others. The assumption is that bird species and numbers are greatly affected by habitat loss. The butterflies can be also be affected by habitat loss but also by spring weather conditions. Both are affected by climate change. Looking back I see that another theme that developed was the increasing focus on the need for natural green space, both for wildlife and ourselves. This we know came sharply into focus during Covid. This, coupled with a growing awareness among organisations that biodiversity
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