A 10-acre rewilded plot at Larkrise, located on the northern edge of a parish overlooked by Kit Hill and Dartmoor, is demonstrating increased growth. The project, which began less than seven years ago on poorly drained land, now features a thorny boundary hedge with sloes, blackberries, hips, and haws.
Planted trees are described as tall and vigorous, interspersed with open patches of seeding knapweed, grasses, plantains, and rattle. Guelder rose, spindle, holly, and buckthorn are already producing berries. Seedling oaks are also growing robustly near a 200-year-old parent tree.
Despite recent drought conditions, none of the newly excavated ponds have completely dried. Vegetation has colonised the clayey sides and bottoms of these ponds, with owners James and Mary actively transplanting indigenous plants. Wildlife recorded at the site includes fox, roe deer, barn owl, moorhens, and various vole and shrew species, alongside weasels.