© 2005-2013  Colchester Natural History Society ¦ Website design by Ecotrack

CNHS Recorders List

For further details about how to take part in recording wildlife CLICK HERE

Below is a full list of our current recorders whose number includes several county recorders. Please report any sightings common or unusual. If you are unsure of an identification and want clarification we will be happy to help.

The new Essex Mammal Atlas is currently being compiled so any mammal records (including unfortunate road kills) will be useful to fill in gaps in our distribution maps. Your record should include as much of the following information as you have:-

  1. Name of species (Scientific, common or both)
  2. Location (an OS reference if known, or a good description for us to locate it)
  3. Date of record
  4. Recorder (name of person who saw the recorded species)
  5. (Optional) Determiner (Person who can verify the authenticity of the record)
  6. (Optional) Notes (any further information e.g. dead in road, feeding on ragwort



Fungi - Ian Rose - Yaffles, School Lane, Mistley - 01206 392870

A well known lecturer on natural history topics, Ian is a founder member of the Field Club's Fungus Group.


Botanical - Dr Stephen Clarkson - 10, Churchill Ave, Hadleigh, Suffolk, IP7 6BT - 01473 823220 - stephen.c@colchesternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk


Birds - Doughal Urquhart - Cudmore Grove Country Park, Broman's Lane, East Mersea, Colchester CO5 8UE

01206 383868 email doughal.u@colchesternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk

Essex County Council warden for Cudmore Grove Country Park on Mersea Island and Chalkney Wood at Earls Colne, Doughal is a well know and repected field naturalist with a wide-ranging interest and depth of knowledge about many species groups.


Mammals - Darren Tansley - 18 Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Ipswich, IP9 2RT

email darren.t@colchesternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk

Darren has been a member of CNHS since 2001 and is the Water for Wildlife Officer at Essex Wildlife Trust responsible for the annual Essex Otter Survey, the Essex Water Vole Recovery Project and other wetland and river projects.


Plant Galls - Jerry Bowdrey (C) - Museum Resource Centre, 14, Ryegate Road, Colchester CO1 1YG 01206 282936 jerry.b@colchesternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk

Jerry is the Curator of the Colchester Natural History Museum, Essex and Suffolk county recorder for galls and BPGS area rep.


Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) - David Allen - 33, Old Forge Road, Layer-de-la-Haye, Colchester CO2 0JT - 01206 734357


Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) - Prof. Ted Benton (C) - 13, Priory Street, Colchester

County Recorder Ted has already published one book on Essex Odonata and is currently engaged in a new survey with John Dobson.


Diptera - hoverflies, soldierflies and their allies - Russell Leavett - russell.l@colchesternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk

Now retired, Russell is past Senior Warden of the RSPB’s Stour Estuary Nature Reserve. He has been a member of the CNHS since the mid-1950s and is a keen birder, entomologist and botanist.


Bumblebees - Ted Benton (as above)


Coleoptera (Beetles) - Nigel Cuming - 33 Holly Road, Stanway - 01206 330019

Nigel is always keen to identify Essex beetles and has turned up several important County records both in Essex and neighbouring Suffolk.


Aquatic plant and invertebrate species - Peter & Pam Wilson - 6, St Helena Road, Colchester – 01206 766217

Pam and Peter Wilson record all things aquatic, both brackish and freshwater and have produced numerous reports for groups in the county.


Other Insect Orders and Invertebrates generally - Jerry Bowdrey (as above)


Fish, Reptiles and Amphibians - Jerry Bowdrey (as above)