Still there is very little rain; although the trees and vegetation may be looking very green, when you get close up there are some signs that some of the trees are getting desperate for water and some leaves are starting to turn brown. They absorb a great deal and therefore leave the soil very dry for the plants that try to thrive under and around the canopies. Well, I suppose nature must take its course, or is it nature's fault. I guess that's a different can of worms and not for discussion here. The new intake of cows have arrived and have made themselves at home in the East Meadow. Like last year's cows they look quite mature beasts with horns, first impressions are they are just like those in a Spanish bullring. Visitors to the reserve should be assured that they are very placid animals, although very curious about what is going on. If they stand and stare please don't take offence, they are not intentionally rude. If you do see them with corks on their horns, this is just one of our volunteers' ideas of toning down their appearance. It is noticeable, given the warm and sunny springtime, that plants are ahead of themselves this year which means that work to clear some invasive plants needs to start early. Work at clearing nettles where the bell flowers and naked ladies (Colchicum) are to be found at Post 5 is now completed, (the latter always raises a titter amongst those who don't appreciate what we mean, another name being autumn crocus) Also, work in the walled garden to clear the dock leaves before they start to seed is well underway. Thankfully they are not so numerous this year, we like to think it is down to our efforts over recent years when we have dug them up, roots and all, but then it might be down to the climate. We'll have a better idea next year. Recent visitors will have noticed brash piling up in the area near the conservatory. Normally this would be burnt, but with the very dry weather, there is a danger of us having a much bigger bonfire than intended – sorry to spoil the views. Anyone for an excuse me rain dance? We have also had a big clear out of accumulated rubbish; it's amazing how many things we keep 'that might be useful one day' and never get used. Many a garden shed or garage is full of this sort of 'useful' stuff. Concern has been raised about the poor state of the cottage that is to the left as you enter the reserve. Although this grade II listed building is not part of the reserve and not the responsibility of the Essex Wildlife Trust, it has a big part to play in the history of Ellen Willmott, as does Warley Place. Jacob Maurer, Ellen's specialist head alpine gardener lived here with his wife and nine children. The wooden shingle roof is leaking badly and needs replacing, thus causing further damage inside and repair work needs to be done urgently. The building is the responsibility of Scottish and Newcastle Breweries who, we understand, cannot afford the repairs. You may have noticed that some excellent bird photographs are starting to appear in that section of this website. These are mostly the work of visitors whose names appear on them. They are well worth a look. | 
