Wilder Kent Blog

We have had the driest spring since 1956, with river and stream flow already well below average for the time of year, a worry for everyone. Area Manager Ian Rickards reports that “this crazy weather has been beneficial for some insects, but the vegetation is already struggling, which will have a knock-on effect other insects later in the year. Water levels are dropping dramatically, with ponds and water bodies drying out very quickly.” The livestock have water troughs but the thin layer of peat in the bogs can dry out easily and be eroded by wind when exposed as plants adapted to damp conditions wither. The successive broods of nestling birds mostly eat insects and larvae, which provide moisture as well as protein, so they are also at risk.

Koniks (sometimes referred to as Konik Polski) are a non-native primitive breed that originate from Poland. They are a descendant of the tarpan, a type of European wild horse that went extinct in the 19th century. They have been bred for almost 80 years to be the ideal breed for use in conservation grazing, specifically for traits of hardiness, longevity and ease of handling, and are used successfully across Europe in conservation grazing schemes.

Hedges - they sit at boundaries, at the edges of gardens, fields, and roads. But too often, they’re relegated to the edges of our minds...

Planning & Policy Manager for Kent Wildlife Trust, Nicky Britton-Williams, explores our concerns with The Planning & Infrastructure Bill.

Volunteer Margery Thomas talks us through a fascinating species you can find on Hothfield Heathlands in May: toothwort! Read all about it and the recent bird counts at the reserve here.

Within the landscape around Lamberhurst, Furnace Farm and Scotney Castle stand out as two areas where Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is making a real difference. Furnace Farm is a former intensively managed farm, now moving toward a haven for wildlife and the grounds of Scotney Castle are managed by KWT using some of our cattle. This joined up landscape approach is hugely important for wildlife, offering corridors and refuges in a landscape that isn’t always favourable. Now there is an incredible opportunity to expand this landscape even further.

Conservationists say they welcome the government’s announcement around tougher penalties for fly-tipping, but a co-ordinated approach is needed to tackle the root of the problem.

Habitat fragmentation poses significant threats to biodiversity and climate stability. In our lifetimes, we’re witnessing dramatic changes in the landscapes around us and the species that inhabit them.