FINALLY the temperature is hitting the 30s, and everyone is enjoying the gorgeous sunshine and warmth we do not see enough of in this country.

The irony is that whenever we get a period of decent warm and sunny weather, we then start to complain, in a very British way, that it is too hot. However, the wildlife of the district doesn't seem to be of the same opinion.

The heathland nature reserves of Burlish Top and Rifle Range are now carpeted with summer flowers.

Plants such as the shocking pink flowered willow herbs mark these landscapes now, as well as other plants such as bracken and hawkweeds filling out the woodland areas.

Here lies the second irony. It is an annual task to remove many of these plants, as they harm the surrounding environment.

They plants are labelled as aggressive due to the fact they multiply at such an astounding rate. Without management, some of the reserves would become a sea of one or two species of plant. If this happened, then many plants and animals which make these reserves special would be lost, because they would lose their homes and sources of food. This, in turn, would lead to the loss of the internationally scarce habitat that is heathland.

The successful management of these reserves shows itself when the carpet of colour comes from the plants we are trying to conserve rather than remove.

I am, of course, talking about the expanses of heather on reserves such as Habberley Valley, Burlish Top, Rifle Range and Vicarage Farm heaths.

It will be later in the summer that these species will really show what colour is, as they bloom in their various shades of pinks and purples to create acres of stunning colour for everyone to enjoy.

Once this heather is finished it will seed and, hopefully, we will see even more of this fantastic plant next year.

The importance of heathland cannot be stressed enough when it comes to conservation.

It is an endangered habitat which is not just important because of the plant and its flowers but also because of the habitat it provides for the wildlife it supports.

It is the summer and in this heat the heaths of the district should be viewed to get the full feeling of what it must be like to live on the reserves, like the rabbits, lizards and snakes which live there all year.

The intense sun beating down can create ridiculous temperatures during the day with a distinct lack of shade and water.

It is definitely worth the trip, but may I suggest you take a sunblock cream.