Across Boothby Wildland, we have begun to see a flush of vegetation as the first plants begin to naturally colonise the ex-arable fields. Oak saplings have been popping up in the middle of fields and shrubs like blackthorn, hawthorn and dog rose have taken root, ready to provide protection for young trees from our local deer.
We’ve employed a number of simple kick-starters to help give these natural processes an boost, for example creating piles of brash – dead wood, branches and leaves – in the middle of the fields. This creates little habitat islands in the vast fields, encouraging birds to use these to rest, setting seeds which will then be afforded some protection as they grow. We’ve also spread ‘green hay’ – the cuttings of species rich wildflower margins – to provide a seed source on the degraded soils, that wouldn’t otherwise find its way very quickly to the Wildland.
Historic human engineering for agricultural purposes has destroyed the natural interaction of water with the flood plain at Boothby. Further to a great deal of research, analysis and public consultation, a restoration plan for the West Glen river is now underway, with a view to alleviating flooding downstream, improving water quality, and creating an important mosaic of wildlife habitats. Our plan is to ‘slow the flow’ by widening the channel, creating pools and meanders, and lowering the floodplain. This will allow it to act like a sponge – storing water in times of both drought and high rainfall, and creating a filter to improve water quality at the same time. Work began in Autumn 2024. Alongside some human labour to achieve the desired re-wiggling, we intend to release beavers into a large enclosure.