Restoration and rewilding

mickysf
mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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Looks like a major project to restore some of our British temperate rainforests. Last years trip to Scotland and a visit to the west coast rainforests was a fabulous experience and one I would recommend, so much nature witnessed and the return of some species in these now protected areas are flourishing. We need more of the same!

https://www.birdguides.com/news/wildlife-trusts-and-aviva-team-up-to-bring-back-uk-rainforests/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter130223&dm_i=73DM,DRKR,ZVCQL,1OPXH,1

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  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited February 2023 #2

    Unfortunately most of the "tree" planting schemes are Sitka spruce. Just repeating the mistakes of the 70's as they chase the grants.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2023 #3

    Totally wrong, not these ones. Those you mention were not mistakes at all, they were deliberately formulated for profiteering and had no nature based advantages whatsoever but there again we all knew that didn’t we! Well most of us did!

    Native trees and flora only in these rainforest plans, but there again you know that, Fish don’t you!

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited February 2023 #4

    Mine was a general assertion pf what is happening. I know the Ardnamurchan peninsular and the areas round Loch Sunart quite well and the native woodlands there. Very different to the vast green sterile acerages here in Wales, many now being felled releasing the so called stored in CO2 and being replanted with more Sitkas.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2023 #5

    The areas you talk of fish are not those in the project, they are not linked in any way and have no connections. We must not confuse the two but sadly some will deliberately do so. They are wrong to do this and possibly have a negative agenda and their own axe to grind. Let’s celebrate that which is good for our native wildlife and the efforts to protect, develop and grow these ancient habitats for future generations.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited February 2023 #6
  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2023 #7

    For those of us interested in habitat restoration and visiting nature venues in our leisure time this article may be of interest.

    https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/jun/05/my-stay-at-a-devon-rewilding-farm-wildlife-holiday

    Club sites and CLs  are also nearby.

    This scientific paper too and an event to follow or attend this summer.

    https://www.newscientist.com/tours/science-rewilding-weekender-coombeshead/

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2023 #9

    Amazing restoration and rewilding efforts here pays dividends. The culling of deer previously kept at an artificial high density for the hunting fraternity has resulted in an all round benefit for nature.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-65820467

    Our visit to the Green Lochan last year was truly delightful. Much of the Cairngorms would once have looked like this and have been species rich. Well worth it, more needed.

     

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited June 2023 #10

    Good news for the environment, the serial illegal rewilder, Goldsmith, gone from government. Was a member of DEFRA. The department for the Ruination of farming and rural affairs.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2023 #11

    As the science moves ever on we may now need to add Land Sparing to those terms like Rewilding and Restoration in the discussions. This latest approach makes some sense and is worth consideration. With all three approaches now very active it’s more likely that our understanding of the essential ways forward will become apparent. We can’t afford to sit back on old rather archaic unhelpful practices and not move forward.

    Interesting reading here!

    https://www.birdguides.com/articles/green-farming-policies-may-be-speeding-up-biodiversity-loss/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter100723&dm_i=73DM,H5QC,ZVCQL,25LFC,1

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2023 #12

    You may be interested in this short film showing some of what we do while " farming with nature".

    Farming with nature (Defra Blog)

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2023 #13

    Fabulous vision there Goldie! The family have created a farm which has been free from artificial fertilisers and pesticides for the past 16 years. They are now finding restorative practices and areas to develop which are so beneficial to nature. Every bit helps. The ‘grants’ help too!👍

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2023 #15

    From unproductive and non profitable farmland to an embryonic patchwork for nature. One of a growing number across our land inspired and ‘managed’ by enlightened folk working with their community. Hopefully, in years to come, a place to visit and enjoy.

    https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/rewilding-projects/wild-wrendale

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2023 #16

    Looks like those hooves are doing the trick. A step forward for this IoW rewilding project.

    https://www.islandecho.co.uk/exmoor-ponies-help-with-isle-of-wight-rewilding-project/

    Pigs and cattle to follow, more please!

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2023 #17

    For those of us who enjoy Cornish holidays this might be of interest particularly those with an interest in rewilding and restorative projects.

    https://www.kernowconservation.org/

    Apparently they are putting plans together to consider an osprey reintroduction programme. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2023 #18

    Hmm, I’d not set too much store by it Micky. 

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2023 #19

    Looks like many do, their fundraising effort reached its initial total very quickly and a new one set. 
    The first time I saw ospreys in the wild was on the coast in BC, Canada in not a too different habitat to our Cornish coast. In fact most birds there were hunting in salt water. I reckon, with help, there is a home for them there. Just needs faith, a will and an effort. After all, there is evidence they frequented Kernow in the past.

    https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cornwall-osprey-project?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CF_Ospreys&variation=A&_kx=NTc-U3neXiVZpVmicb0Leb4SHRIL9B96TNic2pcjIS0%3D.Uevv88

     

    and here

    https://www.facebook.com/kernowconservation

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2023 #20

    We have a heron and kingfishers on the river bank here. Will they welcome ospreys moving in and taking fish. -or will it be goodbye to them? 

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2023 #21

    They have survived ‘alongside’ each other in the past, present and I’m sure can do in the future. They tend to inhabit slightly different habitats and have very different hunting techniques. I don’t think there is any real conflict between these species at all, it’s humans that are the problem!

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2023 #22

    More excellent news here!

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-66661915

    Looks like it could be well worth a future visit. I guess the nearest CaMC site would be Wharfedale. 

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited September 2023 #23

    Did you know research has shown that Curlews rear 4 times as many chick on keepered moors than others. Not mentioned on countryfile I guess.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2023 #24

    Sadly,  smoke and mirrors I’m afraid! This bird, the Curlew, was present across Britain’s  lowland environments in significant numbers too but has been ‘driven’ away through land use practices which have not recognised the need to work with nature. These shooting estate owners and keepers, through this narrow focus, attempt to justify their almost sterilisation of what could be nature rich land to justify their enjoyment of shooting birds. They are choosing an iconic bird, the curlew, to justify their selfish actions. They need to focus on whole ecosystems which should contain grouse but many more species. Oh and they need to stop spreading toxic lead across the land not all are choosing to adopt that is voluntary and maybe a total ban is now needed.

    An interesting read here!

    https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66923930

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,680 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #25

    Perhaps you might be interested to read the NFU's response to the recent 'State of Nature Report' which gives an alternative viewpoint.

    https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/environment/biodiversity/farmers-reject-claims-they-are-anti-nature?utm_campaign=Morning%20Briefing&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=76760560&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8l-RPRO1QWNFZUxBOVbgKMrBb5yZxrdLIM7TbnOC1PNmPjJmzQYCmT6D5zt4aPZY9wf6v3BxSG0jtMq9fXfRHthuuraQ&utm_content=76760560&utm_source=hs_email

      I am very much aware from my own farming friends that they are under immense pressure from all directions at the moment - particularly environmental and financial (including reduced subsidies) that many are struggling to maintain a viable business at all. I would suggest that the improvements that have been made in respect of preserving wildlife, in the circumstances, are nothing short of commendable.

     

    Moderator comment: Post partly edited as contravened guidelines

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2023 #26

    Curlew once commonly bred across lowland habitats right across England but unfortunately no longer.

    However, we in the Humber region are fortunate, we still have Curlew breeding populations in the Lincolnshire Ancholme Valley. This area  is only a few metres above sea level but is managed with nature in mind. Unfortunately curlew have been driven to be mainly a breeding bird of the high moors.What is needed is much more nature friendly land use across our nation.

    You can visit the Ancholme area and witness this though sadly there isn’t a CaMC within a 50 mile radius. Maybe it’s an area which needs one. There are however several excellent CLs close by, one at Alkborough and one at Barnetby to name two. There are also several other fantastic nature reserves close to hand for those interested in nature.

    Yes, some fantastic farmers out there doing their best to work alongside nature and some willing to help restore the lowland breeding populations of curlew!

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited September 2023 #27

    Which side is that?  Management of the outdoors is necessary and it has a cost. If rich people want to go shooting and pay for the management everyone wins. The state of Curlews on managed moors is an example. When we come to the lowlands successive government incentives have driven to make them more productive. More housing etc. All these have consequences and we can not stop progress. It would be much better if the zealots  devoted their energies to securing the existing wilder places and supporting the landowners and farmers in their work. Always remember all these lands are owned by someone and they have to make a living.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2023 #28

    Well that’s one view, Fish. Not necessarily everyone’s! At the end of the day it’s how we leave ‘our World’ a better place in my opinion. 

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited September 2023 #29

    Strange how these who want to change things dont own a single acre themselves, always on someone else's land.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2023 #30

    Strange how some protested when the hunting of Curlew was to be banned and now they are advocates for the species. What is particularly strange is that some in this number still suggest they were more numerous because of hunting. This ban happened in my life time and still they shoot golden plover, snipe and woodcock. May be need a ban on those being shot too!

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2023 #31

    As discussed many times previously the issue of fox population control is key in a lot of areas. But the thing is how it’s done! We messed the eco system up big time, we now need to help sort it out. Ritualised and Ceremonial means of achieving this are not the right way and this method has been rightly banned.

    Deer populations also are out of control right across the UK, ‘our’ fault, but it’s how we go about redressing the balance that’s important. Some are adamant and want high density of deer populations for sport in certain areas but they are wrecking many natural habitats across the UK. We need a way forward which sees the whole of nature involved and all ecosystems as contributing and crucial factors in this equation. That’s what restorative and rewilding projects are attempting to do and dare I say it succeeding in many instances.