The Claylands Wilder Connections Project : What it’s Achieved for Biodiversity

Representatives of Forncett Nature Matters steering group and several of our supporters went to Poringland on 18th February for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s (NWT) conference to hear about the results of their ‘Wilder Connections’ project which focused on three areas in the South Norfolk Claylands (funded by the Green Recovery Challenge).  Ben Newton, Project Officer, outlined the scope of the project which included the restoration of ponds, hedges, copses, trees and associated margins and grasslands, the improvement of habitat connection for wildlife, and connecting people to nature through engaging communities and landowners.  These aims coincide with our own, and though Forncett was not in one of the three discrete areas, we have received lots of support from NWT, who also keep in touch with what we’re doing.
The morning was devoted mainly to contributions from farmers and landowners, and the afternoon to feedback from community groups.  There were so many brilliant and inspirational speakers that it’s difficult to cover the whole conference adequately. Hilary Hosea has written the report which follows, and I’ll add a bit more after that.

“One of the farmers who spoke to us was Nick Meade of the Earsham Estate, part of the Waveney Farming Cluster; the 39 farms in this group are involved in various types of regenerative farming and are trying to improve their land to benefit the biodiversity of plants and animals alongside their agricultural enterprises.  The Estate worked with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust as part of the Claylands initiative for 18 months to improve connectivity and habitat in the landscape.  There were new plantings of trees and hedges and the restoration of ponds. Nick said that across the whole estate there were 95 ponds some of which had been filled in. During the project six were recreated, some in the corners of fields, which made them easier to maintain and to fit in with farming activities.  Surveys of the pond wildlife were carried out by NWT volunteers, and the zones where Great Crested Newts survive were mapped so attempts to link their habitats could be made.  Some ponds were dredged, surrounding scrub taken out and trees pollarded to open up the watery space.  Some were modified by making shallow edges to benefit breeding frogs and newts. About eight ponds were made deeper to help maintain water and some had weed taken out such as Bog Bean which can become dominant.  The new Zealand Stonecrop that forms dense mats and excludes other species was removed by hand and will be monitored.  Buffer areas of rough grass were made around some ponds to enhance their potential as connected habitats for wildlife.” [Hilary Hosea]

The Earsham Hall Estate that Hilary mentions is also one of four farms which are working with volunteers to create links and corridors between them, with Earsham to the south and Old Hall Farm at Woodton to the north . This dairy farm (www.oldhallfarm.co.uk) is run by Stuart and Rebecca Mayhew and features in Sarah Langford’s wonderful book, ‘Rooted’ (1). The couple, who also farm regeneratively, have replanted many hedges and mob graze their animals, keeping calves at foot for much longer than most herds nowadays. They sell unpasteurised milk and have a farm shop and cafe which are well worth visiting. They also provided the conference attendees with a magnificent lunch which catered for all dietary needs.

Vic Long of Fir Grove Farm, Wreningham, told us about a wildflower meadow which became Norfolk’s Coronation Meadow. Find the story of its development here

‘Wild Norfolk for All’ is a new initiative by NWT which hopes to increase space for nature by 30% by 2030.  As Argus Hardy, a WildEast founder told us, this can be done without significantly affecting crop yields by planting hedges, creating habitat around footpaths, around field margins (Wild Stories - Wild Edges ) and restoring waterways and ponds.

Helen Baczkowska, Acting Head of Nature Recovery at NWT, told us what kinds of habitat would benefit a variety of creatures: sheltered dark woodland and crevices in tree bark for the rare Barbastelle Bat (of which we have a small number in Forncett) with nearby hedges along which to forage for the moths that feed on hedgerow wildflowers; one of the best habitats for Barn Owls is tussocky grassland where voles a-plenty make for easy snacking; and of course Norfolk’s Great Crested Newts need ponds linked by easily traversed habitat - they need to move from one to another.  Helen also recommended MAGIC maps

Patrick Barkham, natural history writer, President of NWT and Guardian journalist, opened his talk with the well known quote from E M Forster’s novel, Howard’s End: “Only connect.... live no more in fragments”. From NWT’s countywide reach of ‘Wilder Connections’ to Forncett Nature Matters’ more modest scope ‘connecting people : connecting nature,’ connectivity was at the heart of everyone’s message.  An interesting aspect of Patrick’s talk was that he felt our communities of South Norfolk (and of North Suffolk too) were enriched in the 1960s and 70s by the the influx of artists, writers, naturalists, self sufficiency seekers and a smattering of hippies. (He’s writing a biography of Roger Deakin, one of the best known settlers.) The Tree Fairs of Suffolk and Norfolk will be remembered by many, and I’m guessing that Patrick visited with his nature loving parents.  Many of these folk, now in their 70s and 80s, stayed on and are now well integrated, serving their communities, still passionate about environmental matters and active in campaigning for restoring wildlife balance. There were quite a few of us in the audience!

I had to leave the conference at this point, and the community group report that follows was written by Emily Syme, one of FNM’s supporters:

“A project that may interest FNM members is underway in Stoke Holy Cross.  The conference heard from a group of volunteers about Jubilee Meadow, a piece of land which had been given to the Parish Council by developers building housing nearby.  After consultation with villagers it was decided that the land would be used as a wildflower meadow, providing a refuge for wildlife and for the villagers themselves!  With the support of the NWT as part of the Claylands Project the volunteers have begun transforming the previously arable land. There is a mature hedge along one boundary, and more trees and hedging are being planted. Owl and other bird boxes have been donated and put up, and wildflower seeds sown. There are ‘untidy’ areas with log, stone, and grass piles to encourage and support insects, amphibians and small mammals.
The project is already connecting the village and will be a wonderful community resource. It is well worth looking at the beautifully drawn plan on their website which also has a wealth of useful information.” [Emily Syme].

In conclusion, the NWT team has been delighted with all the great initiatives that are taking place around the Claylands and, although the project finishes at the end of March, they will be continuing to work with landowners and communities in South Norfolk, which is good news for all of us nature lovers and brilliant for the wildlife. Thank you NWT for your sterling work and inspiration.

 February 2023

1  Rooted. Sarah Langford. 2022, Penguin Viking ISBN 978-0-241-50374-4