Go wild in the country
Discovering a patch of Devon where nature is being allowed to take control
How a Devon rewilding project will secure the long-term future of birds and wildlife for years to come
High above the Exe Valley, where Buzzards ride the thermals over ancient woodland, and steep hillsides tumble to fast-flowing streams, a new and collaborative project is taking place.
The Cove Down wildlife sanctuary is a tranquil area of small fields, broadleaved woodland and a conifer plantation, the total extending to almost 80 acres. It has, since 1986, been managed by the League Against Cruel Sports; the patchwork fields have been grazed by sheep, the hedgerows and woodlands home to a good diversity of species.
But what was already a haven for wildlife is about to become more so. Now, working in collaboration with their landowning neighbours at Cove Down Farm, who have put around 20 acres of their farm into the project, almost 100 acres are in the process of being ‘wilded’, allowing nature free rein to do whatever it pleases.
Paul Tillsley, head of conservation and education for the League, is one of
the wilding project managers at Cove Down. Explaining the plan, he said: “We first started the process in summer 2018. The idea is to unleash nature and monitor what happens. We have had the Devon Wildlife Trust in to carry out an overall baseline survey of the site. The Barn Owl Trust has done an initial assessment and was impressed with what was already here as a starting point. Devon Birds carry out monthly surveys and Butterfly Conservation is also involved. I see it as a great opportunity to work as a partnership with others and to help wildlife along the way.
“And it isn’t about the reintroduction of Wolves!” he adds. “Many people erroneously link wilding with Wolves – that isn’t going to happen here.”
Yolanda Cruwys, the neighbour whose land is included in the project alongside the
League’s land, is actively involved with the scheme as a project manager with Paul. “Helping nature to flourish long-term is essential if we want to see species adapt to, and survive, climate change,” she says.
“When an ecosystem is allowed to flourish in biodiversity it creates a natural balance that is beneficial to all species that can thrive without human interference.
“There are huge benefits to wilding projects, both for the wildlife and us.
It can help with flood prevention and cleaning the air and water courses. It also aids carbon storage, reversing to some extent the damaging effect that humans have on the land.”
Benefits of wilding
Climbing the steep track towards the top of Cove Down the first thing we spot is a
Goshawk, displaying above the field. “We already have less-common species here such as Barn Owls and Goshawks,” says Paul, “so it will be interesting to see how things develop.”
To this end he has installed a variety of nestboxes and is hoping for Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts. Yolanda has recently placed a Barn Owl box in one of her barns. In addition to bird boxes Paul has installed 50 Dormice boxes, the project being part of the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme.
“I’m licensed to work with Dormice and there is plenty of evidence that they are here, such as chewed Hazel nuts,” he says.
Devon Birds’ monthly survey has already found a good diversity, including Goldcrests, which are clearly audible in the Douglas Firs as we pass beneath.
“I would hope to see an increase in meadow birds as the grass gets more tussocky and dense, now that sheep grazing and cutting pressures are removed,” says Paul. “We already have Meadow Pipits and Yellowhammers, which are declining nationally. It would be good to see more Sky Larks here and the monthly surveys have recorded them. I’m hopeful that Linnets will nest here, too. During the dry summer of 2018 sheep grazed the pasture to a very short base level, taking it down to a good start point from which we can see what a difference it makes when just wild deer are grazing it. The deer grazing the site have an important role,” he explains. “They should create a patchwork as they graze in different areas, eating some plants and not others.
“This will create the mosaic that we want – as natural landscape should be. There’s a healthy population of Red Deer that moves
around the valley, they’re not on this site all the time.”
“Our British landscape is very manicured and manmade,” Yolanda adds. “Here we envisage it will become a mixture of woodland and scrub, we wouldn’t want it to become just one type of habitat. For the next couple of years we need to see how much regenerates and then decide how much intervention is needed.”
One major intervention that is needed at an early phase is the felling of around 50% of the Douglas Fir plantation, an area approaching some 10 acres. Although good for certain bird species, beneath these conifers, little grows. Once felled, Forestry Commission regulations require the project to replant and this is an opportunity to increase the stock of tree species that would regenerate naturally were the land left to recover at its own pace. The Forestry Commission specifies the density of replanting and the new trees will be ‘clumped’ in groups so that the inner ones are protected from grazing deer by the outer ones, rather than planting in rows.
The existing broad-leaved woodland is already a rich habitat, sloping knee-challengingly down towards the stream and bridlepath, at present the only public access into Cove Down.
Rich plantlife
Comprising oak, Ash, Beech, Hazel and an occasional Hornbeam, the woodland floor is rich with plant species such as Dog’s Mercury, often regarded as indicative of ancient woodland. Dead wood is left to enhance the biodiversity, and should Ash Dieback strike down any trees, nature will
be left to take its course since the Ash trees are not positioned where they are likely to be a hazard – no roads abut the site. Unlike elms, ash trees have sufficient genetic diversity for many to survive.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers are both present here, the latter evidenced by a thoroughly holey, dead tree trunk. It is likely that Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers also inhabit the tree canopy, but as yet are unrecorded. An important aspect of the work is the education potential.
“We’re keen to encourage and inspire people to reconnect with nature,” says Yolanda.
A cabin and information boards are planned so that those using the public path can be kept informed of what is taking place here. Paul and Yolanda both envisage future school visits, encouraging the birders and conservationists of the future to explore and learn from what is happening throughout the site.
It is a fascinating ‘hands off’ approach to conservation. A project grounded in common sense and a desire to give something back to nature, driven by the will to do something because it is, intrinsically, the right thing to do.
The next few years will, undoubtedly, throw up all kinds of wonderful surprises and opportunities. The next few decades will, we hope, see a flourishing of biodiversity and natural riches. The story is as yet untold, but will unfold over time, for wildlife, forever.