Estate records ‘abundance’ of wildlife despite drought

The National Trust says Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire has recorded 5,242 species over six years, including rare bats, newts and corn buntings. The finding is notable because the estate lies in one of England’s driest and most nature-depleted areas, where wildlife faces habitat loss and hotter, drier conditions.

The recorded wildlife includes a pygmy ant found at only one other UK site. Since 2021, the Trust has planted 125,000 trees and created 35 hectares of woodland and 52 hectares of wood pasture, with plans for a further 77 hectares of tree planting. The Trust says the estate’s long-term stewardship shows nature recovery can sit alongside farming, public access and heritage conservation.