Council Offices

Civic Centre

Uckfield

East Sussex. TN22 1AE

Tel: 01825 762774

Fax: 01825 765757

Rangers Report Summer 2008 by Jo  Heading

At last the weather is on the turn: it could almost be described as Summery ! Whether it is here to stay is anybodies guess! Buds are bursting on the trees and birds are singing their hearts out to attract mates and defend their territories.

Boothland Wood is a riot of colour at the moment: the bluebells are spectacular and they smell heavenly. The coppicing that was undertaken over the Winter has resulted in a more open feel to the woodland. Due to the rather inclement weather conditions we have been experiencing, extraction of the timber has been put on hold until the paths dry out sufficiently to allow access for machinery. The “bowl” area has certainly benefited from the coppicing that was undertaken 2 years ago and the ground displays a profusion of flowers, from foxgloves to bugle, wood sorrel to primroses. These plants would have been less likely to show themselves without increased light levels that can now reach the woodland floor.

Nightingale Wood is also looking pretty spectacular. Bluebells and wood anemones carpet the ground and the early purple orchids are putting on a good display. There is also a group of redcurrant bushes that seem to be spreading well in the moist ground: whether anybody will be able to harvest the fruits before the wildlife get to them remains to be seen !

At Hempstead Meadows Local Nature Reserve, butterflies have been seen flitting about and early emerging species of dragonfly such as the majestic Emperor and broad-bodies chaser have been spotted. It is hoped that in the not too distant future, the extension to the nature reserve will be opened, giving increased access to the wealth of wildlife and plants that thrive in the wet marshland. Look out for snipe with their very long bills and short legs, poking around to search for snails and other insects in the mud. Blackcaps and whitethroats have also been heard. They are very fond of the scrubby bramble patches that thrive on the reserve.

Much work has been carried out West Park LNR over the Winter and Spring. The new interpretation panels have been installed as has the new notice board. Sycamore has been coppiced and rhododendron bashed. Birch trees round the pond have been cleared to allow more light to reach the pond and stop it silting up so much. Tadpoles are already swimming about in the shallows so hopefully there will be frogs galore hopping about over the Summer. A good deal of scrub clearance was also carried out over the Winter and a very early bracken cut is to be undertaken to see if an early knock back will keep it’s vigour in check. I’m keeping fingers (and toes) crossed….It will be interesting to see what effect the lack of grazing last year has on the orchid population. I’ll keep you posted…..