Rewilding at Knepp

Today we joined seven other members of our local RSPB group on a visit to Knepp in West Sussex. It's somewhere we had wanted to go for a long time having heard Charlie Burrell speak, and having read Isabella Tree's book "Wilding" about  the decision they made, over twenty years ago, to return  their  unprofitable  farm to nature. They introduced  Longhom cattle, Tamworth pigs, fallow, roe and red deer, and  Exmoor ponies to  roam free and create new habitats. All sorts of animal and plant  species have  appeared as a result. 

There are well marked routes, along public footpaths,  around the estate so members  of the public can easily view the results of the  rewilding. Today we saw at least a dozen White  Storks, which are nesting there. Too far away to photograph well, but we got good views through binoculars. Originally a few storks were introduced, but now wild birds have joined them, and regard Knepp as their summer home. 

There were lots and lots of birds  singing; mostly  common ones but also migrant warblers such as Chiffchaff, Blackcap and  Whitethroat. Highlights were hearing two, or possibly three, Nightingales in full voice, and  a Cuckoo calling.

We saw herds of  fallow deer, Longhorn cattle and Exmoor ponies quietly grazing.

A little  later in the summer there will be rare Purple Emperor butterflies  flying around the  many mature oak trees on the estate.

We felt it  was well worth the journey, and braving the early  rain, to experience this unique site and its abundance of wildlife.  
(You can also go "glamping" there, or take a safari, if you are prepared  to book well ahead.)