The journey to Finemere Wood is evermore challenging. Road closures in the surrounding area are many and varied. Volunteers must be creative in their venture to circumnavigate HS2 works. And once through barriers and bollards, award-winning potholes along the local roads must be taken on at one’s peril. But nothing can stop the woodland workers, for at every time of the year there is some delight to be had in the oasis that is Finemere Wood.

Spring is here. Wood anemones are in bloom, their delicate, white, stars embellishing the woodland floor. Primroses and violets are plentiful, splashing yellow and purple throughout the waking wood. The air is filled with melodious birdsong. 

The song thrush (Turdus philomelos) has a mighty voice. From the tops of trees it propels its resounding song, a series of short phrases each repeated two or three times in succession. Its song is striking and warms the heart as it heralds the beginning of Spring.

Brown with a spotted cream breast, the song thrush is a little smaller than a blackbird. Shy and keeping near cover, these birds live in woodland, gardens or anywhere with a good covering of trees and hedges to nest in. Eggs, bright blue and spotted are laid in a nest glued together with mud, built entirely by the female.

One of only a few birds to eat snails, the song thrush will smash open shells on hard surfaces to reach the juicy meat inside. Being omnivores, fruit and worms are other choice staples. Once common, Turdus philomelos numbers are declining, now with a conservation status of Amber.

Whilst the song thrush belted out its magnificent music, the volunteers frantically worked on their fencing efforts. This month, Estelle Bailey (CEO of BBOWT) joined the team to heave and haul and harness Heras panels together.

The vociferous volunteers put on a good day, with cake and sunshine, banter and laughter, and some good honest hard work too. Insight was gained into the challenges Estelle is involved in on behalf of BBOWT. It seems to me that respite from this role is essential from time to time. And so Estelle, whenever you are in need of rest and recuperation, Finemere Wood and its woodland workers are here to welcome you back.

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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