Rewilding on the Island

Return of the WILD

A nature revival is taking place on the Isle of Wight at the Trust’s rst rewilding site. Wildlife is returning, the environment is healthier, and we hope this is just the start.

LINNET - JAMES WEST

Sometimes, it’s best to let nature take the lead. That’s the ethos at Li le Duxmore Nature Reserve, a 100-acre plot of arable farmland the Trust acquired in 2019 to become its fi rst dedicated rewilding site.

Until then, Li le Duxmore had operated primarily as an intensively managed arable farm, producing crops such as maize.

However, since purchasing the Isle of Wight-based site, we hope that le ing natural processes occur will transform the landscape at Li le Duxmore over the coming months and years.

Hands-off approach

Situated within the East Downs Area of Natural Beauty, Li le Duxmore neighbours several of the Trust’s existing nature reserves on the Isle of Wight.

Adding Li le Duxmore to the Trust’s suite of Island reserves marks a signifi cant step towards our vison for a Wilder Wight. It also forms part of our 10-year goal to see at least a third of land and sea actively managed for nature by 2030.

The natural restoration of vital habitats here will benefi t an expanding nature recovery network on the Island – creating the rich, connected landscapes that wildlife needs to survive and thrive.

Rewilding also benefi ts both people and wildlife by helping to reverse species declines, tackle the climate crisis and mitigate pollution.

As part of our approach, small groups of ca le and pigs now freely roam Li le Duxmore as part of our conservation grazing strategy whereby the animals enhance the ecosystem by living naturally on the land.

Wildlife bouncing back

We began carrying out ecological monitoring at Li le Duxmore in April 2021. This has included monthly wildlife surveys, se ing up remote, motion-sensor wildlife cameras, testing the soil quality

and sampling earthworm numbers across the site.

So far, bird surveys at Li le Duxmore have recorded 36 diff erent species, including several nationally threatened species such as linnet and song thrush, while skylark have successfully bred on the former arable fi elds.

Above: Lane leading to Little Duxmore Farm. Left: Wildlife is returning to Little Duxmore.

Our ecologists have also discovered the presence of 19 bu erfl y species, including the endangered wall brown, plus six of the UK’s so-called ‘Big Eight’ bumblebees and 13 separate bat species. Our trail cameras have also captured discreet footage of other iconic British wildlife too, including red squirrels, badgers, foxes and barn owls.

Surveys of Li le Duxmore’s plant life, meanwhile, found evidence to suggest the site is of international importance for its fl ora, with rare species like spreading hedge-parsley and upright goosefoot identifi ed.

These initial results show rewilding eff orts are paying off already. They’re also extremely promising as they demonstrate nature’s ability to recover a er years of intensive management. However, we hope this is just the tip of the iceberg and even more exciting times lie ahead as wildlife continues to recover and thrive at this reserve.

Natural solution to pollution

Alongside being the Trust’s fi rst rewilding site, Li le Duxmore is the site of a pilot project for a new type of nature-based solution, demonstrating one way of mitigating and reducing the impact of nitrates on the Solent from planned housing developments.

By transforming sites – like Li le Duxmore – from intensively managed, poor-quality farmland to places where natural habitats are restored and rewilded, we can start to help mitigate the level of polluting nitrates that suff ocate our natural environment.

Nitrate pollution is only one of the many problems facing our freshwater and marine habitats. Alongside piloting naturebased solutions to demonstrate they work for people and wildlife; we are calling for widespread change to protect our natural environment. This includes campaigning

DID YOU KNOW?

Nature-based solutions (NBS) harness the power of nature to help tackle problems like climate change, pollution, ooding, soil erosion and water quality whilst bene ting nature at the same time. NBS come in many forms including rewilding, reintroducing missing species, seagrass meadow restoration, wetland and woodland creation, and regenerative agriculture.

for stronger legislation to protect our wildlife and wild spaces as well as stricter regulation and be er enforcement for reducing pollution. We are also calling for greater investment in nature and naturebased solutions from government, local authorities, developers, water companies and landowners to help bring about much needed change.

We already have the necessary tools and knowledge to help wildlife. It’s now just down to us all to champion naturebased solutions and embrace rewilding as one of a suite of ways to support nature’s recovery.

Wall brown butter y on cow parsley.

AMY LEWIS

Rewilding is in full swing at Little Duxmore Nature Reserve.