Skylarks over the White Cliffs of Dover as nature comes alive

Fields on the White Cliffs of Dover are alive with wildlife after efforts to restore grassland farmed intensively since the war, the National Trust said.

The stretch of land on the coast of Kent was bought for the nation by the National Trust following a £1 million campaign in 2017 supported by Dame Vera Lynn, who sang the wartime song that immortalised the famous cliffs.

Now the land that was intensively farmed since the Second World War has been restored to natural grassland and wildflower meadow, providing homes for butterflies and rare birds such as skylarks, the Trust said.

A “bumblebird” seed mix with a range of cereals, plants and wildflowers was sown in autumn to provide birds with food through the winter and nectar for pollinators in the summer.

Other fields on the Wanstone site were planted with wildflowers, grasses and cereals to give cover for nesting birds and create a mosaic of habitats across the cliffs.

Restoring the landscape has provided habitat for ground nesting birds including meadow pipits, partridges and corn bunting, while 48 skylarks were counted at the site in the first week of May.

And peregrine falcons are benefiting from the presence of 1,200 wild pigeons on the site – their main source of prey.

The National Trust revealed how nature is thriving on the White Cliffs land as part of national meadows day, celebrating the increasingly rare habitat.

It is hoped the habitat will attract butterflies from nearby including Adonis blue and dingy skipper as well as providing a home for species such as marbled whites and red admirals.

Picture: PA. The National Trust said fields on the White Cliffs are alive with wildlife after efforts to restore grassland farmed intensively since the war.