So, regarding the Essex boundary issue, it would appear that we are left with two positions – a local ornithological position, and a contemporary political position – each with their own ‘logic’:
1. The local ornithological position
This is position adopted by EBwS and found in their Essex Bird Report. As pointed out in post #3321, an important criterion here is consistency. If trends in bird numbers and seasonal occurrences are to be studied, it is crucial that there are consistencies of definitions and boundaries. Hence, Essex County recording needed to stick with the ‘old’ south-western boundary of the river Lee/Lea. I think that this position is the dominant positions amongst birders keeping (and submitting) their own records and lists.
2. The contemporary political position
This position adopts the contemporary/modern political definition of the Essex boundary. In post #3323, James has given an outline of how this line cuts through places like Rainham – and you can get a good indication of its meanderings by looking at Streetmap.co.uk and taking the closest zoom. This position is strictly correct in probably all other meanings and uses of boundaries, but it lacks the consistency required of the ‘local ornithological position’.
When it comes to birders keeping their own lists and records, it is a personal decision and obviously it doesn’t matter what position you take. (Though it may matter when it comes to submission of sightings and records.) However, this said, I think that using Post Codes as a county boundary criteria could prove very misleading. For example, Sudbury, which is well into Suffolk, has a Colchester Post Code! Also, using the M25 as a boundary seems quite arbitrary, as it fits none of the two position described above. As Neil78 points out, the ‘official’ boundary of Essex crosses the M25 several times. (Of course, I understand that the phrase ‘outside the M25’ might be used as loose shorthand.)
Gosh, it’s much easier up here in the north of the county. I was up by Caddewade this morning and I know that if a bird is north of the river Stour it’s in Suffolk, but if it is south of the river it’s in Essex. (If a Diver is swimming mid-stream or an Osprey is flying down the course of the river, I use my discretion - in my favour if I’m Essex listing; shush, don’t tell anyone!)
Stewart
