Rewilding at Kinkell Byre
Why we are Rewilding Kinkell
We are Rewilding Kinkell as we believe it is the best, nature-based solution that we can implement to help tackle the twin environmental crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. We have the aim to be Planet Positive by 2030 through Rewilding and investing in Renewable Energy and the Circular Ecomony.
We have already planted more than 6000 trees, created 8 ponds and 2 wader scrapes. Several kilometres of hedgegrows are being planted, wildflower meadows are being created and nature is beginning to re-emerge. We have two highland cows on site, Coco & Ginger, whose job it is to look after and manage the land for us.
We have more plans in the future to deepen the involvement of the local community by providing space for allotments, so people can grow their own food. We also have plans for an educational eco-hub to inspire the younger generation. Ultimately, by using this holistic approach, we hope to inspire other landowners here to build a rewilding corridor that benefits nature and the local community.
For more information, read our Rewilding Blog
We are now offering Rewilding Tours as part of our project. For more information, head over to our Experience Page
Meet the Cows!
You have all probably seen our newest members of the team, Coco & Ginger when you have been at Kinkell. Not only are they here to get in on the wedding photos! But they are here to help with the conservation grazing at Kinkell. They are able to encourage natural regeneration by way of their particular grazing traits.
They help to reduce the prevalence of vigorous plants that out-compete more fragile species; creating microclimates and areas of bare ground through trampling and disturbance. They wrap their tongues around the grass and pull it up in tufts, which creates uneven areas of grass in terms of length and a tussocky finish.
Conservation grazing is now a widespread management method and many conservation bodies regularly use grazers to improve and maintain the sites that they manage for biodiversity.
What is Rewilding?
In it broadest sense, rewilding is concerned with the restoration of ecosystems; healing them, and putting them back together in a better state than they were before. In some cases it also means reintroducing species which have become either extinct or severely threatened.
Rewilding takes a big picture approach, aiming to restore the wider natural processes that support life (for example, grazing, flooding, and natural woodland regeneration). It complements existing conservation work and those sectors seeking a better way forward for nature.
ππΎWildflower meadow management πΎπ
Some of you may recall that earlier this year we created a brand new 7.5 acre wildflower meadow with the help of the NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund.... our meadow is still blooming with lots of pollinators! ππ¦
There`s no doubt that well timed meadow management is crucial to its long-term success, and we have plans to cut this area a little later this year. In the meantime, however, we`re holding on to summer for a little longer... please enjoy these photos, especially the mid-flight hover fly! π₯°
#rewilding #rewilding #rewildingbritain #rewildingscotland #rewildingeurope #wildflowers #wildflowermeadows #pollinators
ππΎWildflower meadow management πΎπ
Some of you may recall that earlier this year we created a brand new 7.5 acre wildflower meadow with the help of the NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund.... our meadow is still blooming with lots of pollinators! ππ¦
There`s no doubt that well timed meadow management is crucial to its long-term success, and we have plans to cut this area a little later this year. In the meantime, however, we`re holding on to summer for a little longer... please enjoy these photos, especially the mid-flight hover fly! π₯°
#rewilding #rewilding #rewildingbritain #rewildingscotland #rewildingeurope #wildflowers #wildflowermeadows #pollinators
π𧑠Coco and Ginger enjoying the sunshine
#tonguesouttuesday #highlandcows #cowsofinstagram #coosdaytuesday #CoosdayTuesday
π𧑠Coco and Ginger enjoying the sunshine
#tonguesouttuesday #highlandcows #cowsofinstagram #coosdaytuesday #CoosdayTuesday
π§‘π Tongues-out Tuesday! ππ§‘
Ginger and Coco would like to remind you that for only Β£5 per person, you can come and meet them, learn about their important roles here at Rewilding Kinkell and also feed them their favourite snack!
For booking please email info@kinkell.com
#CoosdayTuesday #coosdaytuesday #highlandcows #tonguesouttuesday #cowsofinstagram #coosday #highlandcattle
π§‘π Tongues-out Tuesday! ππ§‘
Ginger and Coco would like to remind you that for only Β£5 per person, you can come and meet them, learn about their important roles here at Rewilding Kinkell and also feed them their favourite snack!
For booking please email info@kinkell.com
#CoosdayTuesday #coosdaytuesday #highlandcows #tonguesouttuesday #cowsofinstagram #coosday #highlandcattle
π Wildlife spotting
One of the many privileges of being the Rewilding Officer here at Rewilding Kinkell is that I regularly get to see lots of wonderful colours, different species and various signs of wildlife ππ§‘πβ€οΈπ
Here we have a beautiful Peacock butterfly; of which there seem to be an abundance this year! A gorgeous Carder bee; some early brambles, which I can also admit to tasting and can confirm the ripe one was delicious π The rowan berries and apples are really starting to show their vibrant colours, and lastly... some cute footprints at the water`s edge of one of our new ponds. Can you tell who has been visiting the pond for a drink?
#lovenature #rewilding #rewildingbritain #rewildingscotland #wildlife
π Wildlife spotting
One of the many privileges of being the Rewilding Officer here at Rewilding Kinkell is that I regularly get to see lots of wonderful colours, different species and various signs of wildlife ππ§‘πβ€οΈπ
Here we have a beautiful Peacock butterfly; of which there seem to be an abundance this year! A gorgeous Carder bee; some early brambles, which I can also admit to tasting and can confirm the ripe one was delicious π The rowan berries and apples are really starting to show their vibrant colours, and lastly... some cute footprints at the water`s edge of one of our new ponds. Can you tell who has been visiting the pond for a drink?
#lovenature #rewilding #rewildingbritain #rewildingscotland #wildlife
**Update on our NEW wildflower meadow!**
π±π
Earlier this year, you may remember that we created a brand new 7.5 acre wildflower meadow with the help of the NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund.
As I walked over our new meadow the other day to capture these photos, I was delighted to witness a large brown hare as well as a covey of partridges (which included at least 6 "cheepers"... yes! A baby partridge is called a cheeper π₯Ίππ€£)
How wonderful to see Nature flourishing π±π΅πππ¦ππͺ±π€πππ¦
#wildflowermeadow #rewildingscotland #speciesrichgrassland #rewildingkinkell #naturerestorationfund
**Update on our NEW wildflower meadow!**
π±π
Earlier this year, you may remember that we created a brand new 7.5 acre wildflower meadow with the help of the NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund.
As I walked over our new meadow the other day to capture these photos, I was delighted to witness a large brown hare as well as a covey of partridges (which included at least 6 "cheepers"... yes! A baby partridge is called a cheeper π₯Ίππ€£)
How wonderful to see Nature flourishing π±π΅πππ¦ππͺ±π€πππ¦
#wildflowermeadow #rewildingscotland #speciesrichgrassland #rewildingkinkell #naturerestorationfund
ππ Natural processes
Nature is full of amazing secrets and processes that often go unnoticed beneath our noses. Decomposition and decay are vital components in any healthy functioning ecosystem, and a wide range of organisms takes part in the decomposition process.
The detritivore community includes insects such as beetles as well as woodlice, fungi, slime moulds, bacteria, slugs and snails, millipedes, springtails and earthworms.
"Fairy rings" are caused by an individual fungus growing underground. The fungus sprouts lots of small threads, called mycelium, in a circular shape. A year later, the mushrooms pop up out of the ground at the edge of the circle, creating the fairy ring. The circle will start off small in size, getting bigger as it gets older π
A bracket fungus that grows on dead birch trees, is the birch polypore. It can sometimes be quite hoof-like, and is of the UK`s most widespread and common brackets.
Lastly, while "Witchesβ brooms" are a type of deformity in trees caused by microorganisms, they donβt tend to have an impact on the long-term health of a tree. Itβs thought that witchesβ brooms are caused by fungal, viral or bacterial activity, and occasionally insect activity; you can see why the name is so fitting π§ββοΈ
Next time you`re out for a walk, have a look and see which wonders of the natural world you can spot π§ππ
#biodiversity #woodlandtrust #nature #lovenature
ππ Natural processes
Nature is full of amazing secrets and processes that often go unnoticed beneath our noses. Decomposition and decay are vital components in any healthy functioning ecosystem, and a wide range of organisms takes part in the decomposition process.
The detritivore community includes insects such as beetles as well as woodlice, fungi, slime moulds, bacteria, slugs and snails, millipedes, springtails and earthworms.
"Fairy rings" are caused by an individual fungus growing underground. The fungus sprouts lots of small threads, called mycelium, in a circular shape. A year later, the mushrooms pop up out of the ground at the edge of the circle, creating the fairy ring. The circle will start off small in size, getting bigger as it gets older π
A bracket fungus that grows on dead birch trees, is the birch polypore. It can sometimes be quite hoof-like, and is of the UK`s most widespread and common brackets.
Lastly, while "Witchesβ brooms" are a type of deformity in trees caused by microorganisms, they donβt tend to have an impact on the long-term health of a tree. Itβs thought that witchesβ brooms are caused by fungal, viral or bacterial activity, and occasionally insect activity; you can see why the name is so fitting π§ββοΈ
Next time you`re out for a walk, have a look and see which wonders of the natural world you can spot π§ππ
#biodiversity #woodlandtrust #nature #lovenature
ππ World Nature Conservation Day ππ
Today, 28th July, is World Nature Conservation Day; a day for reminding ourselves of the importance of preserving a healthy environment and our natural resources. We can all play our part in preserving our environment for future generations, and we can do this in a number of ways:
π§ Save water. One of the biggest effects of climate change has been the decreasing level of safe drinking water. Simple steps like turning off taps when not in use can save thousands of gallons of water in a year.
π« Reduce plastics. By choosing to cut down on single-use plastics and opting for products made of degradable and natural components instead, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in our environment.
Conservation can sometimes feel like an abstract concept, but we can all make tangible positive changes π
#biodiversity #worldconservationday #savewater #reduceplastics
ππ World Nature Conservation Day ππ
Today, 28th July, is World Nature Conservation Day; a day for reminding ourselves of the importance of preserving a healthy environment and our natural resources. We can all play our part in preserving our environment for future generations, and we can do this in a number of ways:
π§ Save water. One of the biggest effects of climate change has been the decreasing level of safe drinking water. Simple steps like turning off taps when not in use can save thousands of gallons of water in a year.
π« Reduce plastics. By choosing to cut down on single-use plastics and opting for products made of degradable and natural components instead, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in our environment.
Conservation can sometimes feel like an abstract concept, but we can all make tangible positive changes π
#biodiversity #worldconservationday #savewater #reduceplastics
ππREWILDING ππ
Rewilding Kinkell is extremely proud to be a member of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture Northwoods Rewilding Network; a Scotland-wide chain of landholdings committed to nature recovery, where habitats are better connected and species can recover, expand and disperse.
The Northwoods Rewilding Network captures the growing appetite for nature recovery across Scotland`s farms, crofts and community landholdings. Three of the NINE REWILDING PRINCIPLES shared by partners in the Northwoods Rewilding Network, which we are embracing at Rewilding Kinkell are:
π³ more native woodland
π§ making space for water
π connecting with communities
To learn more please click here: https://bit.ly/3NQmhyn
#Northwoods #rewildingbritain #rewildingscotland
ππREWILDING ππ
Rewilding Kinkell is extremely proud to be a member of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture Northwoods Rewilding Network; a Scotland-wide chain of landholdings committed to nature recovery, where habitats are better connected and species can recover, expand and disperse.
The Northwoods Rewilding Network captures the growing appetite for nature recovery across Scotland`s farms, crofts and community landholdings. Three of the NINE REWILDING PRINCIPLES shared by partners in the Northwoods Rewilding Network, which we are embracing at Rewilding Kinkell are:
π³ more native woodland
π§ making space for water
π connecting with communities
To learn more please click here: https://bit.ly/3NQmhyn
#Northwoods #rewildingbritain #rewildingscotland
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