A Rewilding Journey

I’ve been on a our 37 acre farm for two years now. The focus has been on setting up the farm business; after all, conservation projects need funding and I still have to make a living. However, I’m lucky enough that after my grandad died the farm was mostly left to it’s own devices for two decades so the rewilding project hasn’t had to start from scratch. Combined with the fact my granddad had also avoided any form of intensive farming, rather than starting with a blank canvas, I’ve come into a site that’s already pretty wilded. I’ve been heavily inspired by Knepp rewilding in the UK (Wilded - Isabella Tree) and the re-introduction of wolves to Yellowstone (Rewilding Our Hearts)

There are foxes, deer and a badger set. I’ve heard turtle doves cooing in the hedgerows and the odd yellow hammer singing from the spire of a tree rising from scrub below. Grass snakes slither out onto bare patches of ground to warm themselves, common lizards sun themselves on wood piles and since I began clearing the ponds, the frog population coming back to breed has increased 5-fold.

One of the natural ponds

Pond Restoration

There are two natural ponds in the farm; something I’m extremely thankful for. There’s something about a pond that conjures back memories of catching bugs, watching dragonflies and spending hours whiling away summer afternoons by the water's edge.

Having been left to their own devices, the ponds have gradually silted up, with decades of deciduous tree leaves falling in to muddy the water and the ever encroaching brambles and scrub shutting out sunlight.

As part of the rewilding, I’ve got an ongoing project to clear the canopy and two-thirds of the scrubby pond edges to allow light in and turn stagnant pools back into thriving eco-systems. And it seems to be working. With more light in and around the ponds, pond life has increased and that’s brought about a higher number of birds.

Effects of Drought

The drought in 2023, particularly here in Suffolk, was pretty devastating. It’s knock-on effects won’t really be seen until this year and the wildlife numbers that have survived. Aside from a couple of days, there was no significant rainfall on the farm for almost 9 months. This will have hit the amphibian population hard. The ponds were not only dry, but cracked and dusty and after two months of rain the water table was so low that they’ve only just begun to finally retain water again. I can’t imagine frogs, toads and newts fared particularly well. There was also a distinct reduction in insect numbers across the fields. Where just a year before grass would have been a-buzz with grasshoppers, crickets and meadow brown butterflies fluttering amongs the stems, there was an uneasy stillness this summer. The lack of insects along with the no ground moisture - which brings worms and soil dwelling insects to the surface - will have affected bird species too.

A beautiful great tit

A female bullfinch proving difficult to photo amongst the haws

Wildlife Spots Continue

However, despite the harsh environment, there is still much to be thrilled with and the number and diversity of wildlife on the farm continues to grow and exceed my expectations. You can see the full biodiversity list here.

In the pit, a pair of foxes (I call them Crooks and Hobble as the vixen has a crooked tail and the dog limped initially) raised five cubs. They did oust the badgers from their family home but I’m glad to say that now cub-rearing is done, the badger pair are back. Perhaps in 2023, they’ll raise cubs in this sett. The muntjac were everywhere, though any sight of a fawn proved illusive. Roe and Red deer chewed tree bark and very excitingly the first woodcock was seen, fluttering off from a patch of scrub after it was disturbed.

Though the open fields were still, there was still enough food around for birds, and I saw great flocks of goldfinches rearing young and showing fledglings how to pluck seeds from thistle heads. Greenfinches and chaffinches flitted amongst the pond’s scrub, and a red polls darting over the long grass in a wave; up and down, up and down as they moved across in search of food. Startled snipe whirred away quick as a flash, and the birds of prey proved resilient with resident tawnies, barn owls, red kits, kestrel, sparrow hawk and buzzards all regularly spotted.

I have an immense soft spot for some of the more common species. Wrens are delightful. A tiny brown spot flickering amongst the brambles and then on occasion, flying out to making a high pitched call whilst hanging off the barn wall. A pair of jackdaws have worked out if they fly down to the pig feed bin and peck at the split near the bottom, it’s basically a self-serve food dispensary. A white throat would sit atop a twig in the dead hedge singing his little head off whilst I’d eagerly look into the tree tops above the aviaries for the sight of fat, puffed up bright pink Bullfinch boys.

Some of the goats grazing across the rewilded pasture

A female kestrel hunting

Long May Wildlife Continue

With each passing season, I’m thrilled with all the species that appear. The rewilding is still in it’s infancy so it’s hard to tell what’s new vs what I just haven’t identified as being on site and which may have been a resident for years. But there’s always something to see, whether it’s the resident collared doves raising another brood or a brand new spot - a young otter cub using the river network to find it’s own territory, or hearing a deafening whirring in the polytunnel only to discover a hummingbird moth trying to find its way back out after feeding on tomato flowers.

I’m excited for the year ahead and welcoming guests back to the farm. Many of my camp site visitors come solely for the quiet stillness of the site and to see wildlife; the barn owl hunting over the field at sunset is quite a delight. And with wildlife tours, photography sessions and our new bird hide opening this year, 2023 will be quite the ride!

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