Members of the U3A Climate Change and Local Environment Group were recently privileged to explore the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Woods Mill nature reserve near Henfield in West Sussex to assess the influence of global warming on the natural environment.

Our guide, Christine Dafter, an environmental educationist at the reserve, explained the worrying plight of mammals, birds, insects and plants. 

We learnt that some plants and trees are producing their flowers, blossoms and pollen earlier than usual. Insects and caterpillars have been adapting their life cycles with the result that some nesting birds have been finding it more difficult to provide enough food for their chicks.

It was so peaceful on the walk that we had no difficulty hearing the repetitive call of the cuckoo. Christine also identified for the group the calls of blackbirds and chiff-chaffs as well as the beautiful song of the nightingale.

Members of the group, who were accompanied by our chair, Maggie Hall, were delighted to see beautiful electric blue flying demoiselles with their spectacular flying displays over one of the reserve’s water features.

The enjoyable tour ended with a meal at a local hostelry.