Rewilded Larkrise land thrives with wildlife
A 10-acre rewilding project on poorly drained land in Cornwall shows vigorous growth and increased biodiversity, with young oaks thriving and new ponds
Proper rain has finally greened scorched pastures in the parish, though springs and streams remain low. The water level in a century-old well is better than feared, but caution over usage persists.
Rewilded Growth on Exposed Land
On the exposed northern edge of the parish, a 10-acre rewilding project at Larkrise is showing ever more growth. The land, which is poorly drained, is overlooked by Kit Hill and the distant haze of Dartmoor. A thorny boundary hedge, laden with sloes, blackberries, hips, and haws, now encroaches on planted trees, providing extra protection from deer.
The mix of guarded trees is tall and vigorous. They are interspersed with open patches of seeding knapweed, grasses, plantains, and rattle. Guelder rose, spindle, holly, and buckthorn already produce berries, less than seven years after the project began.
The Resilience of Young Oaks
Particularly sturdy are the seedling oaks, growing in-situ near their parent, a 200-year-old spreading oak tree. Formerly grazed off by livestock, rabbits, and deer, these strongly rooted saplings have been careful marked, staked, and guarded. Their leaves now host spangle and silk-button galls.
Despite recent drought conditions, none of the recently excavated ponds on the land have dried up completely. Their clayey sides and bottoms, along with heaps of stony spoil, are being colonised by vegetation. The owners, James and Mary, aid this process by transplanting and spreading indigenous plants, seeds, and cuttings.
A Hub for Wildlife Activity
Towards the lowest boggy ground, the widest and newest expanse of water serves as a regular feeding station for skimming swallows. In one of the deeper ponds, blue sky reflects among water weeds.
Two young buzzards cruise overhead with a distinctive melancholic call. Goldfinches swoop among thistledown, and this year's ubiquitous clouded yellow butterflies flit about purple loosestrife and buddleia. Trip cameras record the regular presence of fox, roe deer, and barn owl. Moorhens live on site, and a local small mammal society documents assorted vole and shrew species, plus weasels.
The journey home passes an adjoining farmed enclosure via Down Lane, where hedgerows are thick with incipient hazel catkins. Inside a gateway of hard trampled earth, bullocks range across sparse pasture where grazing is supplemented with winter fodder.
