EIGHT weeks since the National Trust closed its properties to restrict the spread of coronavirus, wildlife seems to be enjoying its unusually empty gardens and estates.
Rare sightings and uncharacteristic behaviours have been noted by staff at the Trust, who say the absence of visitors appears to have emboldened wildlife, with birds and mammals spotted venturing out of their usual territories.
Reports from rangers and gardeners include peregrine falcons nesting in the ancient ruins of Corfe Castle in Dorset, English partridges wandering in an empty car park near Cambridge, and a cuckoo calling at Osterley in west London, having not been heard there for 20 years.
David Brown, National Trust ecologist at Corfe Castle, commented: “This is the first time peregrines have nested here since the 1980s.
“With the site the quietest it has ever been, the great curtain walls are an ideal spot for these powerful birds, which look for isolated and inaccessible places to build a nest.
“Amongst all the uncertainty, it has been heartening to see nature colonising the landscape in our absence.”
At Plas yn Rhiw, on the Llyn Peninsula, stoats, weasels and hares have come in from the woodland to explore the gardens, usually filled with visitors, while in the Peak District, rangers report being able to hear the otherworldly call of the curlew in areas that are normally much busier.
Little owls have also been making their presence felt, with gardeners at Ham House in London noticing the birds venturing further into the garden from the adjacent river meadows.
Plants too are taking advantage of the quiet, with delicate forest floor species like bluebells and wood anemones flourishing.
Many sightings have been captured on camera including a family of badger cubs playfully exploring the Mount Stewart estate in Northern Ireland by daylight, a rare albino badger in the woods at Cliveden, in Berkshire, and a pipistrelle bat making itself at home in a deserted Lake District car park.
On Friday, two male orca were seen in Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland.
Ben McCarthy, Head of Nature Conservation at the National Trust, added: “It has only been eight weeks but wildlife seems to be enjoying the breathing space.
“With less traffic and fewer people, we’ve heard deafening levels of birdsong and seen famous monuments and formal gardens colonised by wildlife.
“Nature’s recovery is still a long way off, but the fact that people are noticing what’s around them is something to be celebrated.
“We hope this renewed sense of value for the outdoors will continue, with people making the most of their urban and rural green spaces and supporting their local conservation projects.”
While its properties are temporarily closed, the Trust is working on its reopening plans.
As it begins to welcome back visitors to its countryside and coastal sites, however, the conservation charity is asking people to be particularly careful not to disturb wildlife that may have moved into typically busy areas.
Mr McCarthy continued: “When all of this is over, people will need green spaces more than ever and we’re looking forward to welcoming them back to our places.
“But we would ask everyone who visits to be especially mindful of the wildlife around them.
“Over the last few weeks we’ve seen endangered birds, as well as more common wildlife, expanding their territories and nesting in places they wouldn’t normally.
“As the lockdown begins to be eased, we all need to play our part to ensure that this wildlife remains undisturbed.
“By sticking to paths, keeping dogs under control, not approaching wildlife and taking any litter home, we can ensure our places benefit both people and nature.”
Not all species are enjoying the human lockdown, however.
Jackdaws, which enjoy feeding on scraps of food dropped by people, have not returned to Ham House since the lockdown.
The birds were previously regular visitors to the 18th century estate and are valued by gardeners for their appetite for box moth caterpillars which have been ravaging the spectacular box hedging since 2017.
Peacocks at Powis Castle in Wales also appear to be missing the visitors.
With no audience to show their ostentatious tail feathers to, the birds have taken to following gardeners on their daily rounds.
