I was helping to dig out some footings for a friend who, pouring with sweat, observed that he had not worked so hard for years because so many tools were now fully mechanised. So I got to thinking about the fact that few people use hand tools these days. Thus, although commercial forests are full of machines, our little wood does not justify the use of costly machinery. Apart from our mower and some technical help from the Trust's experts we are on our own.

We cut, shovel, saw, trim, sharpen, fell, dig, slash, hammer, heave, and rake with amazing dexterity and sheer muscle power, making use of tools which, some might think, came out of the Ark. But as old as these may be, I reckon they - and we - do better than any machine, apart from taking longer.

Recent bird news from the Trust has made good reading. The Dartford warbler is no longer an endangered species following some years of mild winters. The name is simply that the first one was discovered at Dartford in Kent. It is estimated that there are now 72 pairs in Ashdown Forest compared to 17 last year. They need the right habitat of gorse and heather, so as we have a good thick clump of gorse, with heather nearby, we are crossing our fingers and hoping that the birds will spread in our direction.

My old bird book calls them "furze-wrens". They are the size of grey robins with warm pink-buff below. They have red eyes and distinctive erect tails. I think that is a much better name for them, don't you? And also seasonable.

Have a peaceful Christmas.

John Hall © 2002