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  • Bere Marsh Farm – Angela’s legacy

    Bere Marsh Farm – Angela’s legacy

    A new short film in the Countryside Regeneration Trust’s documentary series that captures the ongoing journey to develop Bere Marsh Farm in Dorset has just been released. Read more

  • Jersey tiger visits Bere Marsh Farm, Dorset

    Jersey tiger visits Bere Marsh Farm, Dorset

    Andy Fale – CRT’s Dorset Wildlife Monitoring Officer, had a wonderful surprise when he opened the Bere Marsh Farm moth trap on Thursday morning. Read more

  • One year on - CRT's mink eradication

    One year on - CRT's mink eradication

    Head of Wildlife Monitoring, Dr Vince Lea, highlights what has been achieved by the CRT’s mink eradication efforts in Cambridgeshire after joining Waterlife Recovery East’s partnership project in early 2021. Read more

  • The CRT goes batty about bats

    The CRT goes batty about bats

    Bats, like all living things, deserve their place in our ecosystem. The CRT’s Wildlife Monitors track bats on CRT properties to understand what impact our land management and farming practices are having. Read more

  • Bere Marsh Farm – Angela’s legacy
  • Jersey tiger visits Bere Marsh Farm, Dorset
  • One year on - CRT's mink eradication
  • The CRT goes batty about bats
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  1. Home
  2. Wildlife

Wildlife

At CRT we support and encourage our tenant farmers to use sustainable farming methods wherever possible, because we know these practices positively benefit the environment, wildlife and ultimately, humankind.

We provide support, resources and volunteers to assist the conservation activities across our sites. For example, volunteers on all the properties have planted hedgerows, resulting in wildlife corridors and increased biodiversity. 

Our wildlife monitors complete regular surveys of each site, covering large species like deer or otters to invertebrates like freshwater shrimp and water beetles. Below are some of the most iconic species residing on our sites.

How can you get involved with CRT?

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  • Birds
  • Butterflies
  • Mammals
  • Amphibians and Reptiles
  • Flora
Conservationists team up to bring back water voles

Conservationists team up to bring back water voles

Water voles may soon be plopping into waterways across the East of England once again as funding from Natural England enables ground-breaking conservation work to roll out into more counties. Read more

Published: 19th September, 2023

Updated: 21st September, 2023

Ground-breaking project expands

Ground-breaking project expands

The future is looking hopeful for native wildlife from water voles to kingfishers because Waterlife Recovery Trust’s pioneering work is expanding and inspiring new collaborative projects. Read more

Published: 19th July, 2023

Updated: 27th July, 2023

More than 500 birds ringed in 2022

More than 500 birds ringed in 2022

Bird ringing trainer Simon Lane and volunteer wildlife surveyor Rik McCoy report on the data gathered on Bere Marsh Farm in Dorset last summer. Read more

Published: 7th February, 2023

Updated: 6th November, 2023

Regional ELMS co-ordinators should be provided by Defra

Regional ELMS co-ordinators should be provided by Defra

One of the biggest issues for farmers engaging with the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) is Defra providing the right initial and ongoing support so farmers can understand and utilise them fully, says the Countryside Regeneration Trust. Read more

Published: 6th December, 2022

Updated: 6th June, 2023

Author: Andrew James

The Undertaker and his guests

The Undertaker and his guests

Sexton Beetles or Burying Beetles are euphemistically known as the Undertakers of the insect world. They have an extraordinary ability to locate and bury small vertebrate carcasses for the purposes of feeding and breeding. Read more

Published: 13th September, 2022

Updated: 28th November, 2022

Seeds sown in pilot wildflower meadow at Bere Marsh Farm

Seeds sown in pilot wildflower meadow at Bere Marsh Farm

Countryside Regeneration Trust volunteers work hard to help sow a future wildflower meadow at Dorset's Bere Marsh Farm. Read more

Published: 7th September, 2022

Updated: 20th December, 2022

Author: Andrew James

There be Hummingbirds!

There be Hummingbirds!

There be Hummingbirds! Well, more precisely Hummingbird Hawk-moths (Macroglossum stellatarum). Read more

Published: 4th September, 2022

Updated: 6th November, 2023

Bere Marsh Farm – Angela’s legacy

Bere Marsh Farm – Angela’s legacy

A new short film in the Countryside Regeneration Trust’s documentary series that captures the ongoing journey to develop Bere Marsh Farm in Dorset has just been released. Read more

Published: 9th August, 2022

Author: Becca Cassidy

Regenerative farming helps drought-affected wildlife

Regenerative farming helps drought-affected wildlife

The current drought conditions are having a devastating effect on the country’s wildlife, but it deepens the case for the positive impact of regenerative farming and working with natural solutions, says the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT). Read more

Published: 1st August, 2022

Updated: 6th November, 2023

Slow-worms – the gardener’s best friend

Slow-worms – the gardener’s best friend

The UK has 6 native reptile species including the curious slow-worm (Anguis fragilis). Although serpent-like in appearance, slow-worms are in fact limbless lizards and an amazing example of de-evolution. Read more

Published: 25th July, 2022

Updated: 6th November, 2023

Comments: 5

Nature & art ideas

Nature & art ideas

Here are some ideas for the CRT team to combine art and nature this summer. Read more

Published: 25th July, 2022

Updated: 4th August, 2023

Jersey tiger visits Bere Marsh Farm, Dorset

Jersey tiger visits Bere Marsh Farm, Dorset

Andy Fale – CRT’s Dorset Wildlife Monitoring Officer, had a wonderful surprise when he opened the Bere Marsh Farm moth trap on Thursday morning. Read more

Published: 22nd July, 2022

Comments: 1

One year on - CRT's mink eradication

One year on - CRT's mink eradication

Head of Wildlife Monitoring, Dr Vince Lea, highlights what has been achieved by the CRT’s mink eradication efforts in Cambridgeshire after joining Waterlife Recovery East’s partnership project in early 2021. Read more

Published: 5th July, 2022

Updated: 20th March, 2023

The CRT goes batty about bats

The CRT goes batty about bats

Bats, like all living things, deserve their place in our ecosystem. The CRT’s Wildlife Monitors track bats on CRT properties to understand what impact our land management and farming practices are having. Read more

Published: 5th July, 2022

The rise of the dunnock

The rise of the dunnock

We have been monitoring the bird populations on Lark Rise Farm in Cambridgeshire since 1999, but one of the consistently increasing species has largely gone unnoticed until recently; the dunnock. Read more

Published: 5th July, 2022

Breeding birds of herefordshire

Breeding birds of herefordshire

CRT Wildlife Monitor Ruth Moss, has adopted a unique way of tracking and assessing the breeding territories of birds on Herefordshire farmland, giving her insight into their activities. Read more

Published: 29th June, 2022

Grand Opening of Nature Reserve in Dorset

Grand Opening of Nature Reserve in Dorset

The CRT are thrilled to have officially opened our nature reserve on Bere Marsh Farm, Dorset in honour of an iconic and inspirational pioneers of wildlife, conservation and farming. Read more

Published: 29th June, 2022

Author: Becca Cassidy

Spotting the great spotted woodpecker

Spotting the great spotted woodpecker

If you’re walking through the woods thinking you are alone with nature, take care because that untidy bush or the shadowy bit under a tree could be a wildlife photographer dressed in camouflage gear. Read more

Published: 15th June, 2022

Surveying butterflies as biological indicators

Surveying butterflies as biological indicators

Butterflies can be considered biological indicators due to their high sensitivity to environmental change. On farmland, carrying out butterfly surveys can show us how valuable different areas of the farm are for butterflies, shedding light on where some habitat improvement may be needed. Read more

Published: 14th June, 2022

Shining a light on the presence of dormice

Shining a light on the presence of dormice

Little prints are telling our Wildlife Monitors an interesting story about dormice at Awnells Farm, Herefordshire. Read more

Published: 8th June, 2022

Updated: 14th June, 2022

Wildlife boxes at Bere Marsh Farm

Wildlife boxes at Bere Marsh Farm

Our dedicated volunteers have been busy bees building an array of nest boxes and shelters for wildlife that you can purchase for your garden. Read more

Published: 22nd February, 2022

Updated: 31st July, 2023

Author: Becca Cassidy

Size matters - a method of estimating the age of male mink

Size matters - a method of estimating the age of male mink

Head Wildlife Monitor Dr Vince Lea discusses a unique way to age mink, read now. Read more

Published: 7th January, 2022

Government support for wildlife-friendly farming is step in the right direction

Government support for wildlife-friendly farming is step in the right direction

Plans to reward farmers who make space for nature on their land is a welcome step towards reversing the precipitous decline in British wildlife, according to the Countryside Restoration Trust. Read more now. Read more

Published: 6th January, 2022

Updated: 15th March, 2022

Author: Becca Cassidy

Trees & Me with Dr Vince Lea

Trees & Me with Dr Vince Lea

Dr Vince Lea has always had a love and passion for nature, but where did it start? Read his latest blog for National Tree Week now, and find out where his passion came from. Read more

Published: 30th November, 2021

Updated: 1st December, 2021

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Latest

  • Life saving kit for community

    Life saving kit for community

    A defibrillator and the actions of people nearby can make a life-saving difference during a sudden cardiac arrest. CRT supporter Nigel knows this all too well when his son collapsed last year and his life was saved.

  • Tools empower people

    Tools empower people

    Volunteers play a vitally important role by helping us to improve habitats to support a greater variety and abundance of wildlife on our farms. But we need to equip our inspiring volunteer teams to be able to go out into the fields and woods and make a difference.

  • Willows are a cut above

    Willows are a cut above

    Not only beautiful, but willows are also immensely useful both to wildlife and people. Conservation Officer Vince Lea tells how the trees benefit Lark Rise Farm and the landscape and community around it. Read on to find out how willow is a productive use of floodplains and supports a complex ecosystem.

  • Winter feeding makes the difference

    Winter feeding makes the difference

    Farmland bird remain among the most threatened species in this country and their decline is nothing short of cataclysmic. Intensive agriculture has contributed to habitat loss, but at Lark Rise in Cambridgeshire our nature-friendly approach to farming and supplementary feeding over winter have helped ensure we buck many national statistics for farmland birds.

Most read

  • School trips on the farm

    School trips on the farm

  • Volunteer with the CRT

    Volunteer with the CRT

    Would you like to help wildlife and do your bit to create a landscape bursting with life? To enjoy quiet time connecting with nature to benefit your wellbeing, or to get stuck into exciting conservation projects with a friendly team? To learn new skills or develop existing ones? Whatever motivates you to consider volunteering, we’d love to have you in our team.

  • What We Do

    What We Do

    The Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) is a champion of biodiversity, pioneering a living, working countryside through the regeneration of farming landscapes and woodlands for a brighter and cohesive future for all.

  • Slow-worms – the gardener’s best friend

    Slow-worms – the gardener’s best friend

    The UK has 6 native reptile species including the curious slow-worm (Anguis fragilis). Although serpent-like in appearance, slow-worms are in fact limbless lizards and an amazing example of de-evolution.

  • Who we are & how we work

    Who we are & how we work

  • Conservation Volunteer

    Conservation Volunteer

    This is your chance to get 'down and dirty' to help CRT improve the habitats and environment on our farms, with a wide range of conservation projects and initiatives.

  • Robin Page

    Robin Page

    Co-Founder

  • David Mills MBE

    David Mills MBE

    Trustee

  • Wildlife & Farms

    Wildlife & Farms

    To achieve our vision of a living, working countryside we have purchased 18 sites across the UK, each with their own unique ecosystem and biodiversity.

  • Bere Marsh Farm

    Bere Marsh Farm

    Mixed farmland, Dorset


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©️ 2021 Countryside Regeneration Trust. All Rights Reserved. A company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 07320026. Registered as a Charity No. 1142122

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