Species Counts 2022
In August 2022 several of the VLM volunteers visited all 4 of the parcels of land that have been removed from dairy grazing.
Buzzing With Life
All four sites on arrival were far further forward in the rewilding process than we had ever dreamed of! So much life had returned and we were very respectful about how much we moved through each site and focussed on several intermittent areas only, leaving others not ventured into, to protect any species seeking cover from our visit.
Plot 1 removed from dairy farming in 2020 had been rewilding for 2.5 years and clearly far wilder than plots 2-4. Even though Plot 4 was a recently grazed field there were many signs of early recovery with flower species such as dandelions, buttercups and meadowsweet. Where there were flowers, there were pollinators too.
We travelled to the sites with some quadrats, (A quadrat is a frame, traditionally square, used in ecology & biology to isolate an area for study, this is repeated over a site to ascertain the percentage & distribution of species) plant and insect apps and identification booklets to cross reference the species we found.
The Species Counts spreadsheet shows the species recorded that have colonised these four parcels of land removed from dairy grazing, species that the VLM volunteers observed, photographed and successfully identified. There are hundreds if not thousands of others that were out of sight, hiding, nocturnal or too small to see with the naked eye.
When we leave land to recover, nature quickly moves in and restores biodiversity, equilibrium and balance. This land and these species will be protected in perpetuity under the Vegan Land Movement CIC constitution and Eco-Vegan Principles. We will visit each summer to record the life returning and to measure the growth in biodiversity and recovery.
Note: This is an observation and identification of seen species and is not scientific. All species that are listed have been accurately identified and cross referenced and the VLM is confident that the identification of these species is correct.
All four sites removed from dairy grazing were in various stages of rewilding. New native tree saplings had also started to grow alongside the many native saplings we planted in 2021. their home.
There is no amount of words to describe the beauty of seeing all these creatures return. We even saw a weasel who had moved onto the land where we all blocked the chicken unit being build. Seeing a persecuted animal called ‘vermin’ by farmers, move onto VLM land was rather magical.
Approximately 500 wonderful people have removed these 4 plots of land with their donations and subscriptions. What could we do and how many species could we save with 5000 or 50,000 of us?
If you would like to help us with this mission and find out more information about becoming a member of the Vegan Land Movement and donating monthly to help save lives, wildlife and help the planet, please click the link below:
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“Thank you all for your support.”
– The VLM Team