Our new #rewilding paper: Slow development of woodland vegetation & bird communities during 33 years of passive rewilding in open farmland.

Where tree seed sources & dispersers were scarce, a shrubland mosaic developed, full of songbirds eg. warblers.
journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
1/n Hawthorn & bramble dominated, probably dispersed by thrushes, with open grassland/herbs & swampy wetlands, where ditches filled & failed. Masses of blossom & fruits, inc blackberries, haws & feral apples. 2/n

“Rewilding is just for toffs”
View from 40 ha rewilding site on edge of vast housing estate in lowlands. Owned by city council it was an abandoned tenant farm. Working class locals started recording wildlife, formed residents group, lobbied council for local reserve status. 1/3 It’s now shrubland-grassland-wetland mosaic, mostly 35 yr natural regeneration, with corner of planted woodland & fishing pond for amenity. Barn Owls, Otters, Water Voles, 10 warbler species, Marsh Harrier, LEO roost, Great Crested Newts, vast pollen/nectar for pollinators. 2/3

26 yrs woodland natural regeneration looking great. Natural sunny glades are forming, completely unmanaged, with great flora: Knapweed, Betony, Centaury, Ox-eye Daisy, Yellow Rattle, Pyramidal & Spotted Orchids. 1/5 Rabbits & deer don’t seem to harm the flora, there’s about 8 Roe, Muntjac & Chinese Water Deer using this 2 ha plot. 2/5