Dennis the Menace defeats us.

The plan was for a crack squad of dedicated bog snorkellers to venture once more into the swamp that is Area X on Sunday, to further rebuke the spreading scrub and open the place up some more, thus satisfying the fervent wishes of the folk at Natural England. Keen-eyed readers might remember that the working party held two weeks ago was intended to be the last of the current cutting season, but enthusiastic team leaders will not be denied, and plans were laid. However, we all know that the best laid plans can go pear-shaped, and this wild winter has another storm in store. With Dennis predicted to be the bringer of havoc and danger, caution prevailed and the crack squad was stood down. Here is Team Leader Kevin’s message:

“Dear Volunteers

The working party on Sunday 16th February has been cancelled due to the impending wild weather. We do not think it would be either safe or enjoyable and we value your participation in future working parties.

Sadly, there are no more working parties planned until later in the year; however, I am sure you will receive a call in due course to help eradicate the Himalayan Balsam. Until then, on behalf of NWT and the team leaders, thank you once again for all your support and hard work.

Kevin”

An altogether lovelier gathering of the Volunteers occurred on 6^th February, when 18 of us formed a convoy to Cley Marshes, where the warden George Baldock took us on a guided tour of this premier wildlife haven. As well as doing a wonderful and demanding job at Cley, George also has the honour of looking after Southrepps Commons, and had invited us along for a spot of non work-related pleasure. And pleasure it was: after a chilly start the sun shone throughout, making us quite warm in all our layers of clothing.

We did a circuit of the original site (there was no time to look at the new section linking it with Salthouse marshes), walking eastwards as far as the East Bank, then down to the beach and back to the road via the beach car park.

We stopped several times for George to explain about how each part is managed, and I think it is fair to say that all of us, including those who knew the place well, gained new knowledge.

And we saw plenty of wildlife along the way, including good numbers of one of your correspondent’s favourite ducks (Wigeon), plenty of Brent Geese, and a very confiding female Stonechat, which gave us excellent views as it perched (out of mobile phone camera range) on top of a selection of gorse bushes. Not to mention starfish.

Here are some more photos from that visit:

Now we have dealt with Valentine’s Day (one of the entirely artificial dates given out as the start of Spring), I think we can say that the season has begun to turn. As Spring turns slowly into Autumn (not my phrase, but Bob Dylan’s), the Commons will again return to life, and all the shades of green imaginable will be on show together once more, beautifully setting off the Cotton Grass, Orchids and the almost 400 other plants so far discovered here. If you don’t already visit regularly, why not make this is the year to start?

And finally for now, on the way back from the last working party, a group of doughty volunteers were snapped having spotted a hole, which they are still looking into.