In the mild mid-winter

Shortest day of the year, and here we were, preparing to undertake a task we more normally associate with sunny days in summer: 

Yes, the task – “just for a change” (because this is what we nearly always do at this site) – was to clear watercress.  Tonnes of the stuff.  This was only half of the total amount cut and shifted today – here lined up on the concrete bund, in the middle of the stream, to give invertebrates a chance to make a quick getaway:

For the cut cress had all to be carried to the bank, tossed into wheelbarrows, and rolled to the compost heap:

Pitchforker to Wheelbarrower: “You’re a bit close to the edge!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was also a day for new Green-Gym fashions.  Here the session leader getting to grips with a hat borrowed from a fellow-volunteer …

and a new use for some of the refreshments at tea-break:

"I'm saving it for later"

If the water level in the stream seemed a little low, that might be an indication that levels in the Chilterns aquifers are dropping again.  The accumulated total of recorded rainfall on site was only 80% of what could be expected at this time of year.

More cheering sights on site have both been attributed to warmer weather in this country.  The first was a species of bird I don’t think I have knowingly seen before.  The white bird beside the ducks was a Little Egret (Egretta garzetta: basically a kind of white heron):

The second was a plant, which unless pointed out to me, I would have taken simply for a small variety of dandelion.  It is unusual to see it flower at this time of year:

“Coltsfoots or Coltsfeet?”

At least it being winter, we knew that the results of our efforts would still be clear to see for some time to come.  Here the finishing touches were being put to the scene:

Unlike many other organizations, Green Gym is not taking a break: we plan to reconvene as usual next Tuesday.  In the meantime, we wish all our friends a good Christmas.