The rain is finally easing, and the number of dry, bright days is slowly increasing. Primroses decorate the open rides, their warm, cheerful yellow lifting even the most morose of souls. Hidden among the leaf litter, I spot a single tiny bluebell already in bloom, far earlier than it should be, a lone warrior ushering in the season. Overhead, the birds grow louder by the day, their chatter gathering momentum as spring edges closer.

The woodland workers turn their attention to a blackthorn hedge, the final task of the winter. Along the ancient drovers’ track runs a line of blackthorn, tall, lanky, and bristling with vicious thorns. It overhangs the track, blocking out light. The long stems are partially cut through at the base and bent over to form a thick living base. 

By laying the hedge, conservation-style, a dense natural barrier is created, keeping grazing animals from the neighbouring meadows out of the wood. This invaluable habitat will offer shelter and protection for nesting birds and small mammals while also supporting a wealth of invertebrate life.

Two master hedge layers dive into the thicket with verve and precision, wrestling the brutal barbed stems into submission. They are joined by a young work-experience student, who takes to this task with effortless grace. Together, they glide along the hedgerow, knocking down stem after prickly stem. Ten years ago, this section of hedgerow was laid for the first time. Today, there is much more material to work with, and it is hard physical work.

Elsewhere in the wood, others put finishing touches to our last project, clearing remaining trees from the allotted area and piling up the spoils onto the dead hedge. One volunteer wanders the wood scrubbing the signs and information boards of algae until they are sparklingly clean. Another gathers together tools blunted by use, he will take them home and work his magic on them, sharpening, tightening, and oiling, so they are fit for action once again.

The hedge layers step away from their spiky opponent to admire their work. This length of hedgerow now lies low and lush. Light reaches the drovers’ track once again, and dormant seeds in the soil will flourish. Soon, the blackthorn will flower. Despite what may appear to be a ferocious assault, it will send out new shoots, and its growth will be more vigorous than ever before. Spring will take hold, and life will unfurl once more.

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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