There is tidying to be done, and signs to be cleaned and painted.

The seemingly never-ending process of mowing the grass also starts in the spring.

Hedge cutting takes place but has to stop as soon as birds begin nesting.

If the winter has been very wet, there will still be some jobs left over from then.

In the spring the rangers start working late nights to cover the park's opening hours.

Summer

General maintenance work is harder to do in the summer as the usage of the park reaches its peak.

Work tends to be more reactionary, responding to problems highlighted by the public, for example dealing with any vandalism.

This is also when the rangers find themselves helping out members of the public in all manner of ways, including first aid and finding lost dogs.

A slightly unusual task carried out by a ranger in the summer months is Elm tree injections.

This is done to prevent four mature elms outside the visitor centre from getting Dutch elm disease. The ranger uses something similar to a home brew kit and foot pump to inject a fungicide under pressure into the base of the trees.

This is best carried out in the summer as this is when the sap is rising and liquid is being drawn up the trunk to the crown.

Autumn

As the park gets quieter, so a lot of work starts to be carried out on the trees, including thinning them out so the stronger ones can grow better.

If any work needs to be done by contractors, for example footpath repairs, it is done in the autumn when the park is not as busy.

Hedge cutting which had to be stopped while birds were nesting can now be resumed.

Winter

While the weather is more than likely cold and wet, the rangers and estate workers undertake indoor work such as decorating.

In the winter just gone they refurbished the visitor centre and the shop.

Any machinery maintenance which is needed is also carried out in the winter, and the activity programme for the following year is put together before Christmas.

Outside work includes extensive work on the woodlands and tree plantations.

Hedge laying is also undertaken.

This uses a traditional technique which creates a dense stock-proof hedge. Although it is not a requirement in the park, it has a real benefit for the wildlife, especially nesting birds.

Next page: Variety is the spice of life for rangers

Read our feature and watch video: Behind the scenes at Ferry Meadows.