A system of ponds and wetlands has been dug into the ground, which fill with water in winter and attract wild birds and shorebirds. In the summer, as the water levels dropped, dragonflies, damselflies and marsh plants appeared. Some parts of the meadows were also left for a long time and allowed to bloom.
The changes are part of a wider rewilding project involving specialists, ecologists and conservation partners. Tree planting was also an important part of the work, with 3,500 trees and shrubs sourced from the Woodland Trust planted in the ground across the 55-acre site.
A year later, monitoring recorded otters, kingfishers and beavers along the river, as well as wildlife taking up residence in new ponds and meadows.
From flat field to new wetland
When Packham visited Downicary a year ago, he described it as a simple, flat, green field. Since then, the landscape has changed to create a wider range of habitats.
New ponds and wetlands fill with water in winter, attracting wild birds and shorebirds. In the summer, when the water level dropped, dragonflies, damselflies and marsh plants appeared.
The meadows have changed too. Some areas were left longer and allowed to bloom. Tree planting continues in the area. Black poplar is planted next to alder, which is thriving. Aspen was also planted partly as an experiment, and the results were encouraging.
Monitoring has recorded otters, kingfishers and beavers along the river.
3,500 trees and shrubs on 55 acres
In February, local primary school pupils joined Packham in Downicary to help plant part of a larger tree planting programme.
The program uses 3,500 trees and shrubs sourced from the Woodland Trust. The plantings are divided into three habitat types.
Moist forests and riparian plantings use willow, aspen and alder planted densely to expand and connect riparian forests.
In drier areas, oak, birch and rowan are planted to create woodland pastures and expand existing woodland areas.
The third element is planting mounds of flowering shrubs, including blackthorn, hawthorn, euonymus and wild rose. They are designed to reduce coastal erosion and provide food for birds and insects.
Packham said: “Tree planting works on many levels. Obviously biodiversity, carbon sequestration, flood mitigation, but also, crucially, in terms of personal empowerment. So when young people plant trees, it encourages not only a strong connection with nature, but also significant investment in the future. Planting trees is all about hope,” Ecotalk quoted.
55-acre rewilding project in Devon (Photo: AI/Gemini)
Wildlife is already taking advantage of the changing landscape
Changes in Downikari are being closely monitored.
Otters, kingfishers and beavers have been recorded along the river, and wildlife have also moved into new ponds and meadows.
Wetlands varied with the seasons. Higher water levels in winter attracted wild birds and shorebirds, and summer drops in water levels were followed by dragonflies, damselflies and marsh plants.
The site now features ponds, wetlands, meadows and newly planted trees and shrubs.
Work extends beyond Devon
Downikari is one of two rewilding sites the team is working on. Another is Boyers Wood in East Sussex, where the landscape has also been altered to accommodate wildlife.
3,000 tons of soil were moved from these two sites to create new habitats for invertebrates, reptiles and small mammals.
At Boyers Wood, the team dug a hole and carried out a bioblitz during the June heat wave. The ecotokers examined the invertebrates, plants and wildlife living in the creek.
The excavation also created mounds and protected areas, including basking areas for common lizards and snakes, perches for dragonflies and butterflies, burrows for small mammals and nesting areas for birds such as swallows.
Bats and owls are being monitored
Bat surveys at Boyers Wood have recorded several species, including the common pipistrelle and soprano, daubenton, natterer and brown long-eared bats. The research also discovered barbastels, a rarer species found in forested areas.
Static acoustic detectors were left in place for up to two weeks. The team also carried out licensed trapping using harp traps, mist nets and acoustic lures under the guidance of bat expert Professor Fiona Matthews.
The bats were weighed, measured and examined under ultraviolet light for damage that could not be seen with the naked eye.
Owls are also being monitored. Four raptor posts and six owl boxes were installed.
Two of the tawny owl’s three boxes were occupied during their first breeding season. Both pairs laid five eggs and nine tawny owl chicks have since been banded as part of surveillance of the local breeding population.
Beavers have returned to East Sussex after 400 years
One of the biggest developments in Boyers Wood was the return of the beavers.
A family of beavers have moved from Scotland to their new home in East Sussex. The fence was installed under a license issued by Natural England, which is valid until 2030.
The team says this is the first time beavers have been in the area in 400 years.
Since then the family has grown: a young beaver was born in Boyers Wood. Beaver Trust experts monitor how the animals behave and settle in the area. In the future, when the time comes, some animals can be taken outside the enclosure.
Eighteen black poplars were planted in the beaver enclosure
The East Sussex site also saw 18 black poplars planted in a beaver enclosure.
While they were establishing themselves, the trees were protected and the team selected a mixture of male and female trees to support future seed production and genetic diversity.
Black poplar is one of the UK’s rarest native trees and is historically associated with wet woodlands and floodplains.