Summer has arrived, and with it comes the blossoming of flowers and the flight of butterflies. Each visit to Finemere Wood stuns us with the emergence of another species. Senses are overloaded with the wonder of bird song, the vibrancy of flora and the buzzing of invertebrates.

The grassy rides are awash with common spotted orchids. Each year  numbers increase, as they become more widespread. Pyramidal orchids have also been spotted on the site: they dazzle with their exquisite, vibrant-pink flower spikes.

But the volunteers must be set to work amidst this overwhelming beauty. For without their labours to maintain the variety of habitats, Finemere Wood would not be the diverse and glorious refuge that it is today. 

Nature is left to flourish as the volunteers turn their attention to the infrastructure of the reserve. The adjoining meadows are where the work is to be found this month. Management of this grassland involves grazing by livestock. This greatly reduces the competition from dominant plants such as thistles, nettles and ragwort, thus more delicate grasses and wildflowers are able to thrive.

A demolition gang are directed to dilapidated fences. With hammers, wire cutters and muscle power the dismantling of wood and wire is skillfully tackled, making way for new, stock-proof  fences to be raised.

Grass vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia) is a stunning and inconspicuous plant of the Pea family. Found in open, dry and grassy places, its flowers appear to float amongst the vegetation. With grass-like leaves, it is not immediately distinguishable from the surrounding pasture.

Growing up to 60cm, either one or two small and delicate bright-pink flowers dangle from the svelte stalk. Mainly found in the South and South East of England, Lathyrus nissolia is considered to be scarce, it is, however, on the increase. Never has there been so much Grass vetchling in the Finemere meadows. It is rewarding to see how far and wide it has spread.

The fences are down in the blink of an eye and the volunteers muster for a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Minds must now be turned to the conundrum of fixing sections of existing fence….perhaps another slice of cake would help.

More than 1,700 volunteers help us towards our vision of more nature everywhere, on our nature reserves, at our visitor and education centres, in our offices and more.

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