The monsters are in the woods

The woods next to the nature reserve are having a major thinning operation and the amazing machines that are used for this are currently parked in the reserve. We are very supportive as these woods haven't been managed for many years and opening them up will benefit wildlife in the whole valley. It's brilliant watching the machine in the foreground manoeuvre into position, then fell, strip and cut logs to length in one seamless operation using the massive tool on the end of that extending arm. The vehicle in the background then collects all the logs and transports them to a loading area near the road. The wide balloon tyres ensure that damage to the tracks and woodland floor is kept to the bare minimum, though the wet conditions at the moment are a little testing. There is one thing wrong - I can't drive them and it would make my year just to have a few minutes at the controls!