Tuesday. Hastings Country Park. Met up with 5 new Lookers (volunteers who assist with checking the ponies); we now have an almost full complement there now.
Thursday. NT’s Blackcap nr Lewes. We erected some 400 m of electric fencing in readiness for the arrival of 12 Exmoor ponies next Tuesday. This was I suspect, some of the steepest ground that I’ve had to work on! Driving down the trackway below it was somewhat tricky to – steep and muddy in places. *While having lunch, a large group of house martins were feeding above us including at least 2 swifts.
Friday. We had the second of our Pony Trust’s work groups on Chailey Common, engaged in removing birch tree saplings from one of the more specie diverse areas of the Common. Rewarding but hard work!
Saturday. Big, two-day ‘Spartan Race’ endurance event being held at Pippingford Park in the Ashdown Forest area; I decided to go back during the early evening. Just as well, as several gates left open, which could have led to the ponies going walk-about! I politely expressed my displeasure to the organisers, we parting amicably, they accepting weaknesses in their organising.
Comment. I find it frustrating that these thousands of participants burn all that energy for no material benefit. It’s rather like jacking up the wheels on your car and then getting in and putting your foot down on the accelerator! I and my colleagues in wildlife conservation could find a mountain of tasks that could be carried out for a fraction of that determination and energy. How about it?