I Wish It Would Rain

I know that's not the sentiment echoed by all those who are enjoying their summer holiday but for a wetlands reserve like ours, we need more water. Plain and simple.

We've been open for 11 weeks now and by now the reserve should be lush with green vegetation but the lack of rain has left large areas of brown earth in need of refreshment. One such place is at our main entrance on Bodymoor Heath Lane. With the help of Aston Villa (their training ground is next to our entrance), we've landscaped the banking and re-seeded it with grass. But, without water the grass just isn't germinating and is being eaten by birds!

So yesterday our warden Jo and I set about trying to water the bank using an industrial strength pump and a huge water tank on a trailer. The pump had two settings to control the flow, tortoise & rabbit. The former allowed the water to be spread carefully around the ground but the latter gushed water at an alarming rate! Poor Jo was almost knocked off her feet by the sudden spurt and I continued to amuse myself by switching the flow between tortoise and rabbit without warning. Cruel I know, but it made me laugh and I think it amused passers by also. We got the job done though but Jo had to have a change of clothing. Sorry.