Here at Stay Wild Cornwall, it's not all just camping and glamping!... We are always trying to do our best to aid mother nature in her battle against the damage humans as a species have caused this poor planet! Over the years and particularly in the last hundred years or so, the UK has lost so much of it's natural habitat, insects and wildlife. Since the 1950s, we've lost over 97% of our wildflower meadows and the impact that comes with that is simply devastating.
We can all look abroad and see the terrible deforestation that's going on and watch helplessly as the rainforest is depleted, but it's been completely the same story here. We have all but lost our rainforests and woodland, with most of it being chopped down during the industrial revolution, to burn and build with and to clear large areas as the increase of high intensity farming took hold. Britain used to be a wooded Isle, with 98% of the land covered in trees. This number is now less than 2%. This is particularly true in Cornwall, where the trees took a massive hit due to mining and farming. When you send the drone up and look around, it's largely nothing but empty fields all around and we don't even actually see much farming even going on these days either if we're honest.
A wind of change is coming.
These days, attitudes are changing, more people are starting to realise the importance that trees have in our environment and how important it is to start re-wilding as many spaces and species as we can, replanting native trees and plants and giving nature a helping hand on the way to recovery. With that in mind, when we moved here back in 2017, we wanted to have an open mind and try and speak to as many people as we can, research, then take action on helping the environment. This, as you know, can take many forms.
So just what have we done so far and what are our future plans here?
Conserving what's here already.
We are committed to wildlife and nature. Here at Stay Wild, we are very lucky to have a large area of around 3-4 acres of pretty, untouched fenland that reaches down to the stream at the bottom of the farm. I personally spend many hours just watching and listening and it'a absolutely fascinating what goes on there. Throughout the seasons you can watch as so many different types of insects, birds and other wildlife go about their daily business there. Sometimes the whole area can be completely covered with butterflies or bees and subsequently flocks of all manner of birds. The goldfinches are my favourite I think, it's hypnotic watching them chattering around, they're so busy and noisy as they go about their day, otherwise un-noticed. At the right time of year, they can be seen all around the site, particularly up on Buzzard's Landing, seeking out the various insects they love to snack on.
Whilst we don't let the public in to the nature reserve at present, we do have plans to one day create a nature hide there and maybe even a wooden pathway to get around some of it and see what a true natural wild part of the UK looks like. I really look forward to this, but it is a lot of work yet and that must remain sympathetic, always. This area is not only home to insects and birds, but many mammals live here too with a healthy stock of foxes, rabbits, badgers and deer to name a few. We've liaised strongly with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust who are dedicated to this cause. They have helped us survey the whole site to see what is here (always happy to share this with anyone on their stay if you are interested) and work out a long term plan, which in conjunction with the Rural Payments Agency has helped us put together a five year Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
Tree planting and new habitat.
We're very proud to have already begun a lengthy program of re-wilding here at Stay Wild. Over time, we will vastly improve the land here by planting many different things and bringing an end to others. We've already re-wilded several fields and areas, encouraging trees, wildflowers and other plant-life to flourish but now we are embarking on a much more intensive program of planting.
This winter, we have planted over 2,000 trees with the help of the Wildlife Trust, Plant One Cornwall and many amazing volunteers from all around the local area and local businesses. Preparing the areas, planting, protecting and maintaining these new trees takes a lot of time and effort and we simply could not do it without the help of these simply awesome people, so thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.
In particular, this phase has involved over 750ft of new hedgerows and the creation of a whole new woodland in our bottom camping area, Medlyn Meadows. Obviously it will take a long time for them to establish and mature, but they will and that field will hopefully never again be farmed but instead enjoyed by humans and many types of wildlife alike.
During the autumn/winter of 2022/23, we have planted so far:
1000 x Quickthorn
150 x Hazel
75 x Dog Rose
75 x Blackthorn
125 x Elder
75 x Crab Apple
75 x Sessile (Cornish) Oak
50 x English Oak
25 x Sweet Cherry
50 x Goat Willow
50 x Grey Willow
25 x Downy Birch
25 x Black Alder
25 x Italian Alder
25 x White Willow
50 x Crack Willow
50 x Gelder Rose
Next year will see us planting up several more new hedgerows and potentially laying aside more land for new woodland too and also continuing the work of gapping up the existing hedgerow with hawthorn, gorse and many other native species.
The Native Cornish Black Bee
We've been working for a few years now with local bee specialists N & B Bees to help conserve and grow the population of Native Cornish Black Bees. We currently now have 8 to 10 colonies at any one time here, which can be up to 20,000 bees per hive. Nigel and Brian, who look after the bees are so dedicated to the cause, they spend most of their time now between their various apiaries across West Cornwall. What they don't know about these busy little fellows is simply not worth knowing. We hope to be offering experiences soon where you can grab a bee-proof suit and get right into the hive where Nigel will show you all about the different types of bees and what they are doing. Trust me this is something you want to experience in your lifetime, it's so fascinating!...
Re-introducing lost species
We are always on the lookout for opportunities to help with re-introduction schemes. At any point in time there are many people trying their best to help struggling or extinct native species make a comeback. I've just heard that they will be looking to re-introduce the wild cat in Cornwall, which has been missing for many years now, only just about surviving in the far corners of Scotland up until now... We are currently working with Kernow Conservation on their project to re-populate the poor old water vole in the area. Initially, they have put in a wooden tunnel with a clay base inside over the stream, to monitor the presence of predators, particularly the Mink. American Mink are non-native, invasive predators, largely to blame for the downfall of the British Water Vole. If none are found in our area, then they will hopefully proceed to release a few hundred of the cute little waterside creatures on our site here and we're very excited at the prospect!
Re-Homing Animals in Need
Many of you will have already met our gorgeous herd of Alpacas. Seven in total at the moment, all brothers or half brothers. Unfortunately, their previous owner got very ill and could no longer look after them, so we gladly stepped in to provide them a home for life. It's really important to adopt animals that find themselves in these situations through no fault of their own if we can, instead of encouraging more breeding and over-population. Last year we also welcomed another new farm cat, Elsa, in this way too as her owner could no longer take care of her either. She's settled in nicely now with residents Donut and Boosh, who you may well see hunting around the place, they love to get out and about!
Creating new spaces
Amongst other things, we have dreams to create a large nature pond here. This will be located near to the nature reserve at the far end of the site. We've already dug a small test pond there this year to see how the water will stay naturally, then if the test goes well, we will crack on with it. The aim will be to encourage a lot more insects and variety of bird life to the area and further support the plethora of amphibians that can already be found about the place.
Continued Efforts
Our efforts will continue on as the years go by. We love to chat about it all, so if you ever want to know more whilst you're here or visit the nature reserve, just give us a shout and we will arrange it. If you'd like to get involved and help in any way, that will always be appreciated and there are always tasks to be done!
We always strive to be considered as one of the best places to visit if you love wildlife and are looking for a great campsite in Cornwall. As usual, any comments, questions or suggestions always welcome - just shout, otherwise, see you in a field soon!
Tim & Clare