Doug helped our newer "green team" workers, Roger and Phil, to avoid certain plants and watch out for stumps and other hazards, because cutter bars are very expensive. Then suddenly, it seemed, the full lengths of two of the rides were cut in just two sessions!

Then came the hard work of raking up the grass and "trash" to each side of the ride. If this is not removed there would be a build-up of nutrients which will encourage coarser vegetation - to the detriment of grasses and flowers. Hopefully, we will also be able make a start this year on grading grass from the middle of the ride through to taller grasses and herbs at the edge, and on to higher shrubs nearer the trees. That is the plan, which will leave a good supply of grasses, herbs and shrubs to flower fully and supply food to many insects.

And now, talking about insects, there was a huge invasion of hoverflies from the Continent to the South coast in early August. The Trust estimated that in one 16-hour period of daylight the number of insects entering the county was - wait for it - 3,200,000,000 for several days.

The particular species of hoverfly - Episyrphus balteatus - is known to its friends as the "Marmalade" according to Trust expert Mike Russell. Apparently, this year, conditions were just right for a population explosion. These explosions are commonplace in nature. Some of you may remember the ladybirds' "red invasion" in 1976 and more lately the painted lady and red admiral butterfly battalions in Hastings. Hoverflies (as their name suggests) hover, and look like small wasps. They are harmless; their larvae eat aphids, so they are excellent friends to have about the garden.

On the reserve we are about to give a demonstration on the mower's capabilities. Trustees of Heathfield and Waldron Community Association, which gave us a grant for the machine, are coming along to see how their money was spend. We will be delighted to welcome them because the mower means a great deal to us, and we thank them very much.

John Hall © 2001