Colchester
About Us
Colchester Local Group welcome members and guests at any of our activities. For up-to-date details, please see website. Our programme of evening talks at the Shrub End Social Centre, Shrub End Rd, CO3 3SA, runs from Sept to April. We lead a number of varied guided walks throughout the year and hold our very popular annual Bat and Glow worm walk at Iron Latch nature reserve, Stanway, in July. Other activities include beach cleans, quizzes, plant sales, representing Essex Wildlife Trust at local events, visits, workshops and helping with local community rewilding e.g., the Greener Gardens Group projects. Locally, we have a friendly, growing group of active members who regularly volunteer to maintain and improve the local reserves.
For enquiries, feel free to contact any of the following committee members.
Chair: Diane Cattermole. Email: dcatte60@gmail.com
Treasurer: Tracey Kinns. Email: diddledaddletrace@gmail.com
Events Co-ordinator: Peter Cattermole. Email: pjcatte@gmail.com
2025 Bat and Glow-worm walk at Iron Latch Reserve
On 25th July, 40 interested and excited people joined Colchester Local Group volunteers to take part in the much-in-demand public walk to see the special wildlife that we are lucky to still find on the way to and around the reserve in summer. The glow-worm, Lampyris noctiluca, is actually a beetle unfortunately not commonly seen in the UK.
This year, the walk coincided with the third of 3 annual counts done to monitor the population of (female) glow-worms that are putting on a bioluminescent light show in the hope of attracting the flying males. The count needs to be undertaken at a specific time (after 10.00 p.m. when obviously it is getting darker) to give comparable statistics, so prior to that we were given instruction on the use of, and had practice with the bat detectors. It was good to have fine weather for the walk, but the very dry conditions seemed to have reduced the number of insects i.e., bat food, on the wing and there were few bats in evidence. It was a beautiful evening for the humans to enjoy though.
At the appointed time, we set off at a slow pace around the outside of the meadow, which had only received the flying flock of 40 sheep the day before. When first seen, it is surprising how bright the glow is, and until then our eyes are tricked by chinks of light through vegetation, odd white leaves or bird droppings as everyone is hopeful of spotting a “worm”. As back-marker, I was unlikely to be the first to spot one, but was able to take a photo after all the others had passed. Pointing my camera towards the glow, with no idea if focussed, I told myself I had one attempt only so as to not disturb her, and was pleased that it was better than previous years' efforts.
In total, 10 were counted on the night. On 27th June there were 8, and on 9th July 5 were spotted. Their lights are thought to be switched off after mating. Although the numbers are low, it confirms they are holding on in the area – just. There has been a lot of residential building locally and extra light pollution, so is this likely to affect the future of this curious little creature? That remains to be seen. I for one hope that THEY remain, to be seen every summer to come.
Special thanks to Peter Greig-Smith, volunteer warden at Iron Latch, Joan Pinch and John
Thorogood. Their help and expertise continues to make it possible to manage this event.
Tracey Kinns, Colchester Local Group.
Bluebell walk at Chalkney Wood - Photo: Peter Cattermole
What's On
Colchester Local Group hold a range of fundraising activities and events including nature reserve open days, work parties and evening talks.