Blog: Volunteer

Wild Writing by Nicola Chester

Blog

An aerial view of vibrant green oak sapling emerging from the brown leaf litter.

Ramblings from Finemere Wood

"It never ceases to amaze me how green shoots begin to emerge from the bare earth as we approach warmer, sunnier months. Nature is remarkable in its resilience."

A harvest mouse nest in a field margin in West Oxfordshire. Picture: Lucy Stoddart

Surveying for harvest mice

Ecology trainee, Hayley Beck goes searching for signs of Europe's smallest rodent in the dead of winter

Charlotte Karmali

Ramblings from Finemere Wood

"I was asked recently whether I ever get bored with the work in the woods, and the answer is never, not once in 12 years."

A treecreeper on a mossy trunk

Ramblings from Finemere Wood

"Life still goes on in this hostile environment, and rewards are reaped from braving the elements."

Three cows walking along a meadow

Ramblings from Finemere Wood

"With visions of beasts thundering through the undergrowth, the woodland workers saw themselves thrashing through brambles and blackthorn, lassoes in hand."

A white-legged damselfly peeking out from behind a leaf.

Ramblings from Finemere Wood

"When next in the woods, bring sharp eyes and a pair of binoculars and take note of those smaller creatures fluttering around."

A close up of the bright pink foxglove flowers

Ramblings from Finemere Wood

“The foxglove is a magical plant associated with many folklore tales of fairies, and thus it is not a surprise to find a thriving population in Finemere Wood...”