A contentious issue, there is no doubt about it and one that cultivates intense conversation, heated tempers, and blog posts being inundated with angry emojis over angry comments that gush righteousness and misinformation. So obviously the best thing to do is to look at this roasting hot topic from all angles and learn just why people feel so strongly about birds of prey (or bops) in these islands. 

This is no easy conversation that can see opposing sides spouting facts and figures from ‘independent’ studies at one another, often aggressively. In one corner you have environmental organizations such as the RSPB, British Trust of Ornithology and BirdWatch Ireland as well as environmental scientists and conservationists. On the opposing side are those who race pigeons, gamekeepers and some farmers who see birds of prey as a threat to their own animals. Sensationalist newspapers draw from both to fan the flames and aid the spread of stigmas and outdated notions but hopefully here, in the next few passages, we can look at both arguments and the science, to end damaging ideas and think of how we can move forward together. 

The History of Birds of Prey in Ireland and the UK

Firstly, let’s look at birds of prey, who are also known as raptors, the word coming from the latin raptare which means “to seize and carry off”, how tremendously fitting. Until the last few hundred years, the existence of birds of prey was far more prominent, not only in the natural world but also in folklore and mythology. The story of the mythological Irish seer Fintan mac Bóchra, who after a lifetime of 5,000 years, took his final form as The Hawk of Achill. In this story he has lived throughout all ages of the world, morphing into different animals and now tells its history. So, why are we talking about ancient mythical Irish men, perhaps this is marvelously unrelated but dare we search for meaning in myth? Maybe just for a moment. Can we acknowledge a reverence attributed to these birds and is it just a coincidence that a hawk was the final form of a seer, a wise old man, surely past generations were able to take how they saw the animals interact with their environment and wove it into their storytelling?  On some level, status and respect were attributed to birds of prey by generations of the past, and maybe it’s time we rekindle it.

What Birds of Prey are there in Ireland and the UK?

Ireland is home to 11 species of raptor and the UK 15. Some of the most visible include the common buzzard, sparrow hawks, kestrels and peregrine falcons (the fastest moving animal on earth). Merlin’s and Goshawks too can occasionally be seen but can be difficult to identify to the untrained eye. Hen Harriers as well as Red Kites also share the skies with the occasional visit of Montagu’s harrier. Have I also mentioned EAGLES? ? Golden eagles, and White-Tailed Eagles, the latter being the 4th largest bird of prey in the world. Both once had a wide range across these islands, however, they are now only found in isolated locations and are exceedingly rare BUT they are here, and that fact in itself I think, is a little bit marvelous. 

This is not the conclusive list, (we haven’t mentioned owls, but you better believe we will) though perhaps we can appreciate that there are far more big birds soaring above us than once thought. 

Each species has its place in the ecosystem, its own prey and how they catch it can differ significantly between species. They all fill a niche in the environment and each one with a slightly unique approach. Some plummet in spectacular dives towards their prey, others hurdle and weave through dense forest and thickets, while others might awkwardly clunk down, landing on whatever they’re after, or simply wade through fields in search of bugs. Their tactics and diet can change depending on the birds themselves; where they live; what season it is; and what food sources are available; as well as coming down to individual preference. But even still, raptors have a varied diet to be proud of. So much so, peregrine falcons globally have been documented consuming over 2,000 prey items. 

Even though they are a big bird, males between 550g-1kg mainly eat carrion, which is normally only for the worms, and speaking of worms, they make up a surprisingly large part of the buzzard’s diet, you can see them walking in field hunting them. Buzzards hunt worms… Amazing. 

Peregrine falcons on the other hand catch all their prey on the wing (except some they may steal from other raptors, devils!), deploying hunting tactics that can see them plummeting towards the earth at 200kms an hour to snatch an unsuspecting starling right out of the air. The females are larger (as is often the case with bops) and can therefore catch bigger prey however, both specialize in catching birds like waders, gulls and ducks. 

Vultures have a devilish penchant for eating carrion, they’re mad for it. This plays marvelously into the hands of the ecosystem, as we all know how terrible food wastage is, let alone the disease that rotting animals can create but instead it’s giving all the nutrients back into the food cycle.

Named after a famous fantastical wizard, these birds are ferocious creatures who have been observed attacking trains despite their small size. However, when train hunts are unsuccessful (one figure suggests 98% of the time) their diet can range from sandpipers, bats and insects but it depends on their location. One study in Ireland showed the Merlin’s diet comprised of 24 bird species which accounted for 65.9% of its total diet. The rest of its protein came from moths at 33.1% and dragonflies at 1%.

Birds of Prey as apex predators and their importance for ecosystem health

Birds of prey are found literally on every continent, in every ecosystem, except Antarctica. That’s right, peregrine falcons along with several other species are found in arctic regions, and for good reason. Raptors are indicator species who can tell us how healthy the ecosystem is. It may seem counter-intuitive but the more of these carnivorous beauties there are, the more other species there are as well. Raptors simply can’t survive unless there is a large diversity of prey to choose from. They are also apex predators and essential components of the food web. 

Let’s take owls, the noblest of all carnivores. Owls are a perfect example of an apex predator as the only animal that will actively hunt an owl, is another owl. All creatures below these regal birds are prey and therefore consumable. Like all birds of prey, they will eat what they can wrap their talons around including hares, weasels, bats and mice, and most owl species specialize in critters that stir when the sun goes down. Owls (and all raptors) play the role of all apex predators at the top of the food chain, they maintain the natural balance of the food web, keeping the populations of herbivores and lesser carnivores in check and if you were to remove them from the environment, an imbalance in is created. 

Of all types of birds, birds of prey have always fascinated people.

Effects of removing Birds of Prey from the Food Chain

In Ireland and the UK, we can observe this all around us and it is referred to as meso-predator release which is essentially when you remove the top dog (or bird in this case) from the food chain, it affects not only their direct prey but a range of other species. As we have learned before, it’s all connected. What we can see in Ireland and the UK is an ecological anomaly of sorts, where we have a sheer overabundance of members of the corvid family. Hooded crows, magpies, rooks and jackdaws all commonly referred to as crows. In addition to all our “crows”, we also have a huge amount of foxes that can devastate ground-nesting bird colonies. Due to the absence of our birds of prey, as well as how wily crows and foxes are for learning how to cohabitate with us humans, they have both seen exponential growth without seeing any predators. 

Oh, you didn’t know that birds of prey ate foxes? Well, they absolutely do, and badgers. Eagles and owls are the top predators of foxes (predominantly their young, called kits) and it’s just another example of how important these birds are for the ecosystem, keeping that mystical balance of nature in check.

Now, the hard stuff, the division of mindsets, the real contention in the issue of birds of prey, why they are killed illegally. 

Ugh, the persecution. It’s bleak as heck. But we must. 

Despite the cold hard figures that say, “you know, raptors really aren’t the problem here,” birds of prey find themselves in the same place they’ve been for hundreds of years, the victims of Draconian predator control. It all started in the 18th and 19th centuries when numbers of bops began to seriously decline and their rarity today is directly because they were seen as vermin and people were encouraged to shoot, trap, poison and exterminate them. Not to mention a highly lucrative taxidermy trade which sought these massive birds simply to show off in the grand manors display case. So lame, I know.

The idea circulated, that birds of prey would kill your livestock and carry off your gamebirds, take your job and then sleep with your wife. Obviously, all of this was bad press and it led to all-out persecution and eventually the extinction of several species of raptors on our island including the buzzard, golden eagle, white-tailed eagle and the red kite. Although this claim is somewhat true of poultry (one guess how the Hen harrier landed its name), when it comes to golden eagles carrying off farmers' lambs, it has been largely disputed and effectively disproven. When golden eagles do take lambs, they are generally scavenged. 

So just how do they do it, man’s cruel ingenuity couldn’t possibly surprise us could it?  Well, it just might, in a gross example of humans thinking they’re smart, sees the exploitation of a bird of prey’s natural behavior. In one practice, a metal claw-like trap is set on a wooden post. Birds of prey often use these posts to get a lay of the land and also to feed on their juicy bounty. When a bird lands on it, it springs closed, trapping the bird with the metal claws and here it could stay, slowly dying for days, which is often the case. You know what’s really messed up, this practice has been illegal, that’s right illegal, since 1904. People in 1904 thought it was too barbaric but it’s not uncommon these days to hear of these traps being set. Another, equally twisted form of “predator control” is where a live pigeon is covered in poison, tied to a string and left out as bait for birds of prey which will then be poisoned. 

These practices come in conjunction with decades of poisoning from organochlorides (eventually banned in 1982) that were once used widely as pesticides as well as people who go out shooting them at random. 200 buzzards poisoned here, an eagle shot there, there is a continuous outpouring of figures showing birds of prey being killed. It only takes a small minority of people to wreak ecological havoc, however, there is so little accountability or prosecution, and far more often than not. Nothing. Is. Done.

Building nests for Golden and White-tailed eagles - Mossy Earth

Building nests for Golden and White-tailed eagles

The problems facing birds of prey today come from two main camps, pigeon racers or fanciers, as they are known, and the keepers of game birds such as partridges, quail and pheasants. Magnifying glasses out detectives, let’s look at why.

This has long been a much-loved hobby becoming increasingly popular in the early 19th century and works like this, prized pigeons are bred and sold and then kept by their owner in a loft. They are exercised regularly so they can grow to be in peak (or beak) physical condition (ha!). The exercise and practice flights around the pigeon’s loft are also so they can become familiar with the sights and surroundings of their loft. Racing pigeons have a highly unique homing sense and no matter where they are released from, they will try their hardest to fly back to their coup. Each year the racing season rolls around with pigeon fanciers from far and wide, bringing their beloved doves to a location and release them off into the clear morning air and whomever owns the bird who makes it back to its loft first, is the victor. How wholesome.

Now there are marks going for anyone who guesses what the issue might be with apex predators and flocks of semi-lost pigeons. Yes, they get eaten, or so the claims of distressed pigeon racers… well, claim. Resolution of the issue is made even more difficult when studies funded by respective sides produce contrasting results stated as facts. What makes matters worse is when in times of slow news, instead of taking an unbiased approach and telling it down the middle, newspapers and online media create headlines that attempt to instill fear and upset in those unfamiliar with the topic. Of course, you wouldn’t want the reintroduction of these birds, if the only time you hear of their existence is when you are told they rip apart their prey while it’s still alive and associated with titles like demon-monster beasts. 

In Ireland and the UK as well to a much lesser extent across Europe, the keeping of game fowl is one big plump business with many game bird keepers who invest a huge amount of time, money and land in the rearing of wildfowl. Many of these birds that are reared are then released either into the wild or onto large estates for hunters to come and shoot them for sport. The UK sees up to 57 million non-native gamebirds released every year for this recreational sport. These releases occur annually on a small, medium, or large scale which can see anywhere from under 3,000 birds to over 10,000 birds being liberated into a wilderness they were actually never meant to live in. Hunters with either friends or as part of groups will join in on these releases to hunt the released birds with people also paying money to stay at lodges or on estates to hunt the birds. It’s people’s livelihoods and can bring in a lot of much-needed money to isolated rural economies. 

Although this sport brings with it quite a few negatives for native animals and the environment, the problem it poses for raptors is that they are blamed for the reduction of gamebird populations. It’s astronomical the number of birds that aren’t actually killed and instead make off into the woods, beating their little underdeveloped wings. A study made in the European Journal of Wildlife states that as many as 60% of gamebirds released, do not end up being killed. On top of this as much as 70% of the gamebirds lost to predation, actually comes from foxes. On top of this, the RSPB says that one-third of gamebirds released become fox food. So many are actually just lost to the environment. A big issue with gamebird keeping is that since it began, gamekeepers have been pretty much been left to their own devices, with little to zero regulation or monitoring so getting accurate data is difficult. Ill-practices not only do serious environmental damage but, negatively affect birds of prey. 

So where is the hope? Are the raptors just destined once more to dwindle to extinction?

Well, for the most part, raptor numbers are on the increase on our islands but incidents of illegal killing are constantly hampering it. It takes raptors much longer to produce offspring, particularly when they are in reintroduction programs. Nature would be foolish if eagles had the same clutch sizes as their prey right, and nature’s not foolish, is it? Well, maybe when it comes to the Giant Panda but that’s a whole different story. 

One utterly enormous positive we can take from all this cluster-cuss is that a portion of the farming community has come from protesting at the airport when white-tailed chicks arrived from Norway, to now, working closely with raptor conservation groups to ensure their recovery. Many farmers are seeing that these birds aren’t really the threat once imagined and are now even helping to protect birds of prey and are invaluable when it comes to reporting sightings of raptors. This is particularly true in one of Ireland’s most northern counties Donegal.

When raptors started to reclaim what was once their territory, we see a change. The number of rodents go way down. In Donegal when golden eagles were released, there was a MORE successful lambing season. You know why, I’ll tell you why, because of all the foxes that would have carried away lambs, got themselves carried off to the nests of golden eagles instead. 

Gamekeepers in Langhome in Scotland are using diversionary feeding for the hen harriers who actually, stole a lot of birds, there I said it, they ate loads of grouse. But when diversionary feeding methods were implemented, which is essentially leaving food out for the harriers, so they won’t steal grouse, 86% fewer gamebirds were raptare’d. Get it? Sure you do.

Farmers in Israel are actively encouraging owls and kestrels to their farms by putting up nest boxes, over 3,000 of them! With more of these apex predators around the number of pesky rodents goes way down which also means less highly toxic chemicals. Farmers’ applications to procure the chemical Rosh-80 (used for rodent control), in the last four years dropped between 40% and 90%, so way less chemical use when these birds are just out there, doing their thing. More efforts include Mossy earth's building-eagle-nest-platforms project to encourage breeding among the Scottish population of golden eagles and support the return of white-tailed eagles.

There are so many positives to draw from that I don’t know where to start, from the farmers having to spend less on harsh chemicals, from the ground not being polluted with such harsh chemicals, to the birds who are getting free accommodation and warm (blooded) meals served up daily. EVERYONE’S WINNING! Love it, we just need more of that here. 

So, what can we take away from this carnivorous learning quest we’ve embarked on together? Birds of prey are dope? Yes, correct, but what else?

Studies found with racing pigeons, actually only a very small percentage can be linked-to birds of prey besides some rare and unfortunate instances. The rarities and misinformation should not however form the motivation of such damaging, reckless and thuggish actions which are all too common.  

There is one study, where both sides met to parlay and then fund the work of the Raptor Working Group. 18 groups in total, some environmental groups, others included a long-distance pigeon racing union and gamekeepers unions. The study was the first cross effort by both sides to reach an understanding and it was agreed that their efforts would combine and to be mindful of the interests of both sides and to continue monitoring the best practices to ensure all animals are protected.

Communication between groups is crucial because there are solutions, really viable solutions and they are happening, we just need to see it on a larger scale with more public involvement and education with governmental backing. 

What I think is most important, is that we need to establish a well-rounded and informed opinion. We must also be aware of an animal’s place in the ecosystem, all the good they do, and even learn to appreciate the uniqueness of their lives, before we take to social media and begin making outlandish claims and demonizing them. Perpetuating the spreading of misinformation is only more damaging to the species (and also to your soul) who already live on the brink. It is imperative that we actively support their reintroduction and survival. With more of this, we can shift our focus to how to enable the birds to truly settle once again in their natural environment and bring about proper, beneficial land management practices where our native wildlife can thrive. 

I truly wish we could have just talked about all the neat characteristics of these birds but unfortunately, these conversations have to happen. Birds of prey offer us so much and we should offer them our support and continued protection because they need and deserve it. With over 500 different species (out of around 10,000 bird species in total) ranging from hawks, eagles, owls, vultures and falcons, they are keystone species that every healthy ecosystem needs. I think it’s time again we rekindle mythological sentiments of old and change our view of these exceptional birds.

Learn about Birds of Prey in Ireland and the UK; how are vital they are to ecosystem balance; their persecution and the efforts protect these key apex predators. 

Birds of Prey in Ireland and the UK

How they maintain ecosystem balance and the problems they face

The once great and diverse ecosystems of Australia have been ravaged by numerous brushfires resulting in an estimated 3 billion animals being harmed, killed, or displaced. In an effort to restore and save the species and biomes of Australia, rewilding poses a proven way to help conservation efforts. Rewilding Australia comes in many forms, from working in urban and rural environments to involving and incorporating Aboriginal Australians and ideas in projects. Here we discuss what rewilding would look like, its benefits and purposes, and success stories. 

Current state of Australia’s wilderness and wildlife

It’s no secret that Australia hosts an incredible abundance of biodiversity in both plant and animal species and landscapes. Following the raging bushfires of 2019 and 2020, Australia’s extraordinary wildlife and unique ecosystems have continuously sparked global media attention. Its flora and fauna have experienced a long history of human modification. They have surely felt the subsequent stresses humans exert on existing natural systems, which are only enhanced by the country’s evolutionary isolation. 

The devastating bushfires of 2019 and 2020 damaged nearly 85,000 sq km of forest and harmed, killed, or displaced an estimated 3 billion animals in the process. Many ecologists posit that the fires will undoubtedly push many species to extinction. However, the fires’ ultimate impacts on the country’s biodiversity will not be fully realized for many years to come, as extinctions often have cascading effects on their surrounding environments and the other organisms that inhabit them. 

The addition of overfishing, plastic pollution, and coastal development have contributed to the destruction of the country’s famously exquisite coral reefs, with a recorded 50% loss of coral cover between 1985 and 2012. Furthermore, Australia has lost over 40% of its forest cover, and much of the remaining forested areas are fragmented or have been logged. These changes call for interventions that will mend damaged ecosystems and aid in restoring Australia’s incredibly varied landscapes and the species that depend upon them. 

What would a rewilded Australia look like?

As stated in Rewilding in Britain, rewilding is a conservation strategy that aids in restoring biodiversity, supports ecosystem health, and restores natural processes, or the way that natural systems would behave if humans were not involved. Rewilding in Australia could take many different forms, given the incredible diversity of species and landscapes. For example, it could involve repairing damaged ecosystems to support the natural growth of different plant and animal populations to reintroduce particular native species to a landscape to repair broken food chains. 

Ideas and Projects on Rewilding Australia 

Current rewilding suggestions and projects range from reintroducing Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) to the mainland to mend past food chains to reintroduce the brush-tailed bettong to the southern Yorke Peninsula. Scientists have also cited the importance of restoring predator populations that have experienced severe range contractions, such as the restoration of dingo populations, which exhibit top-down control of invasive mesopredators like the red fox. Rewilding Australia would also involve incorporating ancient Indigenous practices of forest management, which would aid in managing fire-prone forest ecosystems and preventing wide-scale destruction, as we saw with the unprecedented bushfires in 2019 and 2020. 

Sir David Attenborough makes clear that humans and the natural world are interconnected, and by rewilding we can help our species and others to survive. 

A species can only survive when everything around is surviving.

While rewilding has gained popularity globally, many believe Australia may need to take a distinctive approach given its immense biodiversity and unique range of landscapes. Take passive rewilding, or the removal of human agriculture to allow native vegetation to grow, for instance — Australia’s fire-prone ecosystems may not allow for vast areas of land to be cleared or altered in a short manner of time. Because of its many native and non-native species, removing a specific animal or population may also have cascading ecosystem-level effects on the surrounding landscape and the species that reside on it.

Additionally, 70% of Australia’s human population lives in cities, and 85% live in urban areas. As such, urban rewilding projects should occur in conjunction with rural ones to increase community engagement and acceptance of rewilding methods. On top of concerns surrounding the necessity of a unique approach to rewilding, many may initially be opposed to rewilding strategies if they believe they will negatively impact the well-being of current socioeconomic systems that depend on the land, such as agricultural work.

There are several benefits to rewilding Australia that serve both the natural world and human systems. Passive rewilding would support increased forest cover and raise biodiversity levels that depend upon native trees. Trophic rewilding, or the reintroduction of particular species to restore top-down or bottom-up trophic interactions and their associated trophic cascades, could economically benefit local crop farmers, given that it would keep overabundant native and invasive herbivores in check. 

Urban rewilding initiatives, such as reintroducing pollinators, small mammals, or reptiles that are generally well-accepted by humans, could have two-fold effects on ecosystem health and public engagement in conservation efforts. People can also directly or indirectly benefit from revenue generated by wildlife tourism, reduced predator grazing on parks and agricultural land, and ecological services such as flood control. 

Rewilding in Australia can directly benefit the original stewards of the land, Aboriginal Australians, as much of the country’s biodiversity is found on lands belonging to Indigenous peoples, and rewilding efforts can and should involve and incorporate the voices of Aboriginal Australians who have understood and been tending to the land for centuries. 

Rewilding efforts have already swung into action in Australia, many of which have proven to be rather successful. For instance, in Jervis Bay, WWF-Australia and Rewilding Australia partnered to reintroduce a population of eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus), which the mainland had lost for nearly fifty years, to a national park on the New South Wales South Coast. The quoll population has continued to persist and reproduce despite the devastating bushfires that devastated Australia in 2019 and 2020.

The Australian Wildlife Conservancy and Arid Recovery have also had great success in utilizing fenced enclosures to prevent foxes and cats from interfering with the recovery of native small mammals; while this approach is not directly considered a valid rewilding tactic, since fences do not necessarily point towards self-sustaining ecosystems, it is an example of a successful intervention that has allowed native species to flourish By recognizing our collective impact on the natural environment, we can take matters into our own hands and use rewilding as a tool to repair our relationship with the land and improve the well-being of other organisms.

As mentioned, WWF and Rewilding Australia have had notable success in their rewilding projects. They have begun ambitious new programs, such as reintroducing 20 locally extinct species to the Yorke Peninsula and restoring populations of threatened species such as Tasmanian devils, bandicoots (Peramelemorphia), quolls (Dasyurus), bettongs (Bettongia), and potoroos (Potorous). 

A major player in Australia’s existing rewilding scene, Rewilding Australia uses scientific methods and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge to repair Australia’s ecosystems and revive the native populations that rely on them, especially those with critical ecological roles. 

Aussie Ark, another key player, aims to protect Australia’s threatened species through insurance populations, sanctuaries, and rewilding projects. These projects include reintroducing brush-tailed rock-wallabies (Petrogale penicillate), aiding the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) in returning to mainland Australia, restoring freshwater turtle populations, and removing noxious introduced weed to rehabilitate Australian forests. 

In the end, Australia offers a promising and exciting outlet for rewilding work, given its vast array of ecosystems and its critical need for their protection. With various rewilding projects already underway and proving to be quite successful, such as those instituted by WWF-Australia, Rewilding Australia, and Aussie Ark, the concept of rewilding Australia has gained significant popularity. 

Inspiration can also be pulled from successful projects in other countries; for instance, scientists suggest that approaches to predator-friendly farming similar to those used in North America and Africa may prompt positive socioeconomic and environmental outcomes in Australia, as well. Rewilding and restoration of coral reefs in other areas of the world, such as the Hawaiian Islands, may also offer a promising application to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. 

Ultimately, humans exert massive control over other species’ abundance and well-being, and these impacts do not necessarily have to be negative. Rewilding is a productive way for humans to use their ecological power to restore rather than damage precious ecosystems. A rewilded Australia would blur the lines between the natural world and our human world by restoring its spectacular biodiversity and promoting self-sustaining ecosystems.

Biodiversity: the variety of life in the world, a particular habitat, or ecosystem 

Trophic Rewilding: an ecological restoration strategy that uses species introductions to repair top-down or bottom-up trophic interactions and their associated trophic cascades to promote self-sufficient, biodiverse ecosystems

Passive Rewilding: an ecological restoration strategy that aims to reduce human intervention in ecosystems by giving land that has been cultivated by humans back to nature and restoring its natural processes to allow nature to develop and flourish on its own 

Mesopredators: mid-ranking predators in the middle of a trophic level that typically prey on smaller animals 

Trophic Cascade: an ecological phenomenon caused by the loss, reintroduction, or recovery of a species within an ecosystem resulting in other species who are indirectly connected via the food web being affected. Those effects influence the connected species and the species connected to them, causing a cascade through the food web where dramatic changes in ecosystem structure and nutrient cycling can happen.

Insurance Populations: the populations from which the individuals to be released into the new habitat, will be picked

Rewilding Australia is a proven method to restore destroyed ecosystems, protect threatened species, and decrease future bushfires.

Why Rewilding is Needed to Restore Australia

The successes and benefits, along with the who, what, when, where, and how of rewilding Australia. 

Rock climbing often happens in amazing natural landscapes, and this is one of the things that draws people to the sport. However, because they are difficult to access, these areas often represent the last remaining refuge for species that have been driven out by agricultural expansion and urbanisation. What’s more, some species have adapted to take advantage of these vertical habitats and depend on them for their survival. 

The number of climbers heading out to these cliffs is increasing at an astonishing pace around the world and so it is becoming more and more important for climbers to know what they can do for the biodiversity of their local areas. Many Mossy Earth members are climbers, we are very grateful for the support of some amazing rock climbing legends such as Hazel Findlay, Alex Honnold, James Pearson, and Caroline Ciavaldini.

To get started, we are sharing some general guidelines and pointers for climbers who are inspired to do something for their local area, but don’t know where to start. We also sat down with Hazel Findlay to get her perspective on some of these ideas. 

How climbing affects cliff ecosystems & sustainable guidelines with Hazel Findlay

How climbing affects cliff ecosystems & sustainable guidelines with Hazel Findlay | Restoring wilderness #5

Due to the very nature of the sport, rock climbing happens in areas that are generally hard to access and mostly unsuitable for agriculture or urban development. As a result, they have generally suffered less human impact and areas that are interesting for climbing tend to be important sites for biodiversity. For example, about 40% of sport climbing areas in Spain are found within nature protection areas. To give you a better sense of why these habitats are important here are some of the ways they are used by different plants and animals: 

For birds, cliffs are a safe place to rear their young away from predators. 

Some plants have adapted to grow on ledges and small cracks and pockets where water and nutrient availability is low but where the is less competition from more generalist plants (i.e those species that do well in a wide range of habitats).

Some snails have evolved to hide in small cracks on the rock and the shape of their shells appears to be optimised for this purpose.

Bats often rely on caves and cavities found at or close to rocky outcrops for natural shelter where they can rest during the day.

Rock climbing is experiencing a popularity boom

What started out as a fringe outdoor activity has become a fully-fledged sport with about 35 million participants. As anyone who has been climbing for a while will tell you, the growth of the sport over the last decade has been astonishing. New gyms have been opening like mushrooms in big cities.

Climbing documentaries such as the Dawn Wall and Free Solo probably played a big part, and the debut of climbing in the Olympics may very well turbocharge this trend. Although not all of these new climbers will venture outside, we can expect the impact of rock climbing on these ecosystems to continue increasing.

Some climbing areas are more sensitive to human disturbance than others and best practices should always be adjusted to the context of a specific area and climbing discipline. However, there are some common themes that emerge around the world and that are worth every climber being aware of. 

The presence of climbers at the cliff where birds are nesting can cause them to abandon their chicks to starve. 

Check if there are any bird nesting restrictions in the areas where you plan to climb. This information is usually available on climbing guidebooks and some organisations such as the BMC have an online database you can check. 

If you hear a bird calling loudly and acting distressed, back away and find somewhere else to climb.

If you spot a nest, try to leave a note at the bottom of the route and find a way to communicate this to the rest of the local climbing community. 

Sometimes climbers remove vegetation and soil when establishing a route that has not been climbed before so that it becomes more suitable for climbing. This can wipe out the cliff ecosystem that was there previously. Climbers may also physically disturb plants when climbing if they get in the way and may trample the vegetation at the base or top of the cliff.

Keep the impact on vegetation in mind when developing new climbing routes and focus on plant free faces. 

Work with other route developers and conservationists to understand the potential impact of route development on the plants. 

Avoid stepping on or grabbing plants growing on the rock when climbing. 

Stick to the trail on your approach to climbing areas 

This is not specific to climbing but litter can affect all kinds of wildlife and plants. This includes fruit peels and organic waste. Other than being ugly and smelly, these foreign inputs into the ecosystem could affect nutrient balance and the structure of fragile communities.

Have a designated bag or plastic tub in your bag that you can use to carry all your litter 

If you can, take the opportunity to pick up any litter you find along the way. 

Help local organisations and global initiatives

In many places, climber representative bodies and NGOs are taking great steps to ensure climbing is managed sustainably. This involves collaborating with the authorities of natural parks, and conservation organisations so that agreements can be reached that minimise the impact of climbing on the environment while keeping regulations to a minimum. These organisations often have limited funds with which to achieve these goals and tend to rely on the support of volunteers. If this motivates you, why not get in touch with an organisation or initiatives that inspires you and ask how you can help? 

The British Mountaineering Council has a lot of interesting information about climbing in a responsible way in England and Wales including instructional videos and good practice guidelines. They also keep an up to date database of access restrictions called RAD which you can consult through their app. 

The Access fund does a lot of work on trail maintenance, awareness building and supports all kinds of initiatives dedicated to ensuring climbing is done sustainably.

Escalada Sostenible is a critical piece in the puzzle of maintaining climbing access and the biodiversity of climbing areas in Spain.

The Climbing Initiative is a recent international umbrella initiative that aims to bring together climber organisations that are “motivated to create positive economic, social and environmental change”. They have researched the environmental issues around specific climbing destinations and seem to have some exciting ideas lined up!

WorldClimb (@theoworldclimb) is an international research project that aims to develop and implement systematic ways to analyse the impact of sport climbing on the biodiversity of areas around the world. Without proper research we risk imposing unnecessary restrictions or causing great damage to biodiversity – the ultimate goal of the project is to avoid this. 

In the early days of mountaineering, climbers often collected data about the species and geography they encountered as part of an expedition. It is now much easier to contribute to science as a climber and much of this comes down to the fact that each of us carries a tiny computer that can seamlessly capture images, location, sound and associate them with a timestamp – our smartphones! 

There are apps that allow users to upload their data to a database which can then be accessed by scientists for research and management purposes. Environmental monitoring can provide an early warning system for issues such as rapid population declines, pollution events, the presence of invasive species and in that way provide a valuable contribution to nature conservation and restoration efforts. 

Since we visit areas that few other citizen scientists visit we have an opportunity to make important contributions.

iNaturalist: Focused on biodiversity monitoring, this app uses machine learning to provide you with likely species id based on your photos and location. There are also specific projects within you can join so that you can focus your efforts on what is most interesting or important for your local area. There is also a growing community component intended to make it easier for users to learn from each other. 

eBird: Focused specifically on birds this app allows you to carry out proper surveys or simply register bird sightings. It is a great way for birdwatchers to keep track of their sightings and find new areas to explore but also to share this data with scientists. 

Planet patrol: This is an app to use while out and about when you come across litter, as it allows you to gather and share data about the type of waste you find. This can then be analysed so we have a better picture of the waste problem and how to tackle it.

Many climbers start out in climbing gyms before venturing outdoors, especially now that indoor climbing is becoming very popular and accessible. If they are not familiar with good practices at climbing areas they can damage biodiversity when they head out. A straightforward way to address this problem is to spread the word about good practices.

Ask your climbing gym to organise a talk about this topic

If you are mentoring other climbers that are just getting started, include good practice recommendations in your instructions – something that seems obvious to you could easily be overlooked by someone who is still finding their bearings.

Does rock climbing harm the environment? What can climbers do to support nature in their local areas? Practical tips to reduce the impact of rock climbing and even help protect biodiversity. 

How climbers can help cliff ecosystems and reduce their impact

The rewilding movement can often feel beyond our reach. It’s usually associated with vast landscapes of remote wilderness and large carnivores. While this is often the case, we can apply rewilding principles to our own lives. By rewilding your garden, balcony, or window boxes, you can help native plants and animals, no matter how small the area. Here, we’ve put together a list of things you can do to rewild your outdoor space.

Let your outdoor space get a little wild. We’re often used to the idea of tidy gardens but too much manicuring can strip your garden of its ecological value. Letting nature take its course in your garden space can provide food and habitat for a variety of species. 

If you have an area of grass, let it grow fairly tall before you cut it to provide shelter for wildlife. Let native flowers self seed on your lawn to provide pollinators with food, in turn attracting birds and other predators to your garden. 

Leaving piles of wood and leaves to rot provides habitat for an abundance of invertebrates, fungi, and moss and can provide a sustainable source of compost.

Garden centres will often advertise which species are good for bees, butterflies and other native insects. Providing food for pollinators will attract birds and other predators and create a thriving ecosystem in your backyard.  If you live in a flat, fill a window box with insect friendly plants to attract bees and butterflies. 

Non-native plants that are closely related to our native species can provide a wealth of benefits to local wildlife. Planting native species, however, will avoid problems with non-natives becoming invasive and will improve that chances that your garden will thrive in the local climate. If you decide to plant native species, make sure they are of genuine native stock and sourced legally.

Areas of concrete and short grass represent a barrier to wildlife movement. Plant borders and pathways to create a wildlife corridor for small mammals like hedgehogs. 

Encourage birds into your garden with feeders and boxes to nest in. Also consider planting fruit bearing trees to attract birds and squirrels. Install a bug hotel where native insects can lay their eggs. If you’re in an area with hedgehogs, you could also install a hedgehog hut.

If you have an area large enough, consider rewilding your garden with a water feature. A pond can provide habitat for a variety of amphibians and invertebrates. It’s also a source of water for small mammals and birds. You can create a pond with as little as a bucket and a few aquatic plants. 

Think Sustainably When You Rewild Your Garden

To create a sustainable outdoor area, recycle where possible, collect rainwater to use in place of tap water, and ensure your compost is peat-free. If you can, consider making your own compost. Propagate your own plants by buying seed packets or taking cuttings to avoid buying unnecessary plastic pots. Consider the 'no-dig method' of gardening that relies on the natural processes taking place within undisturbed soil. Proponents claim that by avoiding disrupting the soil life, beneficial organisms and microbes are able to provide nutrients and moisture to the growing plants. Our actions can have an impact on the natural world beyond our garden. These tips are designed to help you not just minimise your negative impact on the planet, but make positive impact on the world's flora and fauna right in your back garden.  

Buy a box of wildflowers to get you started

Our pursuit at Mossy Earth isn't only to rewild entire landscapes but also our own backyards! Paul Cox, our newest team member, who holds the fancy title of Chief Technology Officer comes with a strong rewilding game! His recent investment in a variety of wildflowers for his garden has inspired the rest of the Mossy Earth team to rewild their outside spaces.

"I had started some small vegetable patches in the garden, but I wasn't really making use of them, and so I thought nature could make more use of them than me! So I invested in a box of different wildflower plants that will attract more wildlife to my garden and help support our important pollinators. I've also been leaving the garden to grow a bit, to see what comes through naturally." Paul Cox.

Ecological Value: From a given area, these values are determined to what the area benefits humans or animals. It is what the natural spaces provide and how we prosper from them. These values could include, clean air, clean water and good soil.

Invasive Species: Any foreign species of plant or animal that do not naturally occur in the ecosystem. Most often transferred by humans who release them unknowingly into an ecosystem they were not meant to be in and can cause ecological chaos.

Native Plants: Plant species that evolved and naturally adapted to an ecosystem. They are what many native animal species rely on for food as well as most suited for the local soil. 

Pollinators: Any animal species that carry pollen from one plant, to another, thus transferring the male gamete, to the female plant, ensuring fertilization. Bees are most commonly associated with being pollinators however they are also, moths, flies, beetles, birds and over 1,500 vertebrate species.

 Wildlife Corridors: The construction of safe passageways for animals to cross without being endangered by human activity. They are essential at providing a safe passage for animals who are migrating as well as to ensure wildlife populations can move freely between habitats without harm.

Rewilding your garden, balcony or window boxes, will help native plants & wildlife, no matter how small an area. Here's a how to guide to rewild your garden.

Rewild Your Garden

Rewilding your green space, will help native plants & wildlife

For anyone unfamiliar with the term ‘rewilding’ you’re likely to hazard a well educated guess that it’s an environmental movement aimed at reintroducing native flora and fauna. And yes, in terms of its benefits to wildlife conservation, you’d be right. However, as well as environmental stewardship, rewilding offers an abundance of not so obvious, but equally as important ecological, social and economic benefits. Here are five reasons why rewilding is so important. 

A trophic cascade takes place when animals at the top of a food chain change the numbers not just of their prey, but also of those species with which they have no direct connection. Their impacts cascade down the food chain, in some cases radically changing the ecosystem, the landscape and even the chemical composition of the soil and the atmosphere.

Take the classic rewilding case of how wolves changed rivers in Yellowstone National Park. After being hunted to extinction in the early 20th century, the wolves absence led to an imbalance in the food chain, setting off a trophic cascade in which elk (the wolves’ natural prey) multiplied. The phenomenon occurred again in reverse, when 15 wolves were reintroduced in 1994 and the natural balance was restored.

When reintroduced, the wolves not only preyed on the elk, reducing their numbers, but also changed the elk’s behavioural patterns. The elk began avoiding exposed areas like valleys and gorges where they could easily be hunted. As a result, those areas started to regenerate, and species such as birds, beavers, mice and bears returned. Plant life once again thrived along the riverbanks and erosion decreased significantly. The stabilization of the riverbanks actually made the rivers and streams change course.

Some critics of rewilding argue that we should not seek to re-establish missing species until we’ve protected existing wildlife. But nothing better protects our ecosystems than keystone species. Beaver dams provide habitats for fish, water voles, otters and frogs, while protecting local towns and villages from flooding. In Ireland, the resurgence of the pine marten has pushed back the grey squirrel, allowing red squirrels to recolonise. 

Naturally functioning ecosystems do not only provide us with clean air and water, sequestrate & store carbon but they also prevent soil erosion and provide natural breaks against forest fires. Another key service they provide is preventing flooding. A forest’s tree canopy delays the rate at which rainwater reaches the forest floor and the tree roots act as channels to draw rainwater deeper underground. This means rainwater doesn’t run overland into watercourses, streams or rivers. Rainwater is absorbed into tree-covered soil at 67 times the rate at which it is absorbed into grass-covered soil. Trees can also stop soil particles washing into waterways and forming sediment build-up, which can cause additional flooding downstream. Tree roots also act as anchors as they hold soil together and prevent erosion and dangerous landslides in times of heavy rain and flooding.

Enhancing Local Communities through Rewilding Tourism

By increasing the value of wilderness, rewilding offers a new set of options in places where traditional sectors such as farming, which is highly subsidised and painfully unprofitable, can no longer keep communities alive. Schools, shops and pubs are closing with gay abandon in rural areas as the young seek an elusive pot of gold in the city.

In the hills of southern Norway, the return of trees has been accompanied by a diversification and enrichment of the local economy. There, the marginal income from farming is supplemented with nature based tourism, forest products, hunting, fishing, outdoor education, snow sports, and hiking.

The development of wild nature through rewilding is an opportunity for a new economy

Rewilding can play a huge role in reversing climate change. Global warming is the result of an increase in greenhouse gases, such as CO2 in the atmosphere. In one year the world emits 33 billion tons of CO2 and it is estimated by 2030, our emissions could rise to 40 billion tons.

Forests are natural carbon sinks that play a hugely important role in sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere. The carbon is removed through photosynthesis and is absorbed in the wood, leaves and soil, and thus remains in the forest ecosystem. 

According to a recent study in the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a “biological annihilation” of wildlife means that a sixth mass extinction in Earth’s history is already underway. Nearly half of all mammal species surveyed had lost more than 80% of their distribution between 1900 and 2015. Scientists concluded that unless monumental changes are made to reverse this decimation of wildlife there would be serious ecological, economic and social consequences.

Rewilding is that monumental change. With large-scale rewilding projects involving government, universities and enterprise, which advocate the reintroduction of large predators and keystone species to restore trophic levels and reconstruct food chains, this sixth mass extinction can be upturned.

It may seem daunting but there are some simple steps we can all take to help boost local and global biodiversity.

Rewild your own garden: choosing to have native wildflowers in your garden will attract a range of species, providing them with habitats as well as being a source of food for species. Learn more on how to rewild your garden and enjoy nature from the comfort of your own home.

Contact your local council: make your voice heard and matter by informing local authorities of your views on rewilding topics. Whether they are large or small-scale rewilding interventions, such as the reintroduction of keystone species (i.e beavers in the UK) or simply requesting roadside verges to be left uncut, your concern raises awareness between policymakers. Find out why writing to your local representative is an effective method plus more strategies for change in our Climate Action guide.

Volunteer/Support your local wildlife trust or conservation organisations: become involved in community initiatives that invest in native plants and trees to encourage local wildlife to return. Further afield, you can contribute to organisations fighting to protect and restore areas of habitation loss for wildlife.

Become a Mossy Earth member: if you want to support our projects that are solely dedicated to seeing the return of flora and fauna and ensuring it’s protection, become a member and start funding rewilding interventions around the world today. From the protection of Slovakia’s turtles to helping human-wolf coexistence in Portugal, learn more about our rewilding projects as well as our many large-scale reforestation projects.

Rewilding is a progressive approach to conservation, offering important ecological, social & economic benefits. Here are 5 reasons why rewilding is so important

Reasons For Rewilding - 5 Reasons Rewilding Is So Important

Our thirst for development over the past few centuries has left little of the planet’s land surface untouched by humankind. The effects of our presence have fragmented natural landscapes and impacted the habitats of the wildlife that live and depend on it. Wildlife Corridors offer the chance for wildlife and nature to reconnect and reestablish. Where Wildlife Corridors work, the benefits are vitally important and where they are suffering, the consequences are grave.

Habitat fragmentation is specific to the breaking up of a natural environment or patches of vegetation into smaller, disconnected sections. It is generally a consequence of agricultural activities, road building or housing developments. A complex web of flora and fauna requires an abundance of resources: food, air, water, sunlight, and the right habitat to survive.  Devastation, degradation, and fragmentation of ecosystems caused by human development means that natural habitats, resources, and species are becoming highly limited and cut off from each other. For a species to sustain themselves successful breeding must take place. But when there is nowhere to live, resources are scarce and mates are difficult to find, they need to adapt or face the possibility of dying out.

The 2019 Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services reports that human impact is responsible for the current 1 million plant and animal species facing extinction (ISPBES, 2019). The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is the most comprehensive report ever completed, building on the landmark Millennium Ecosystem Assessment of 2005, and introducing innovative ways of evaluating evidence.  It found:

The average abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20%, mostly since 1900.

Three-quarters of the land-based environment have been significantly altered by human actions.

68%: global forest area today compared with the estimated pre-industrial level.

Urban areas have more than doubled since 1992.

 The Report assesses changes over the past five decades and is compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries, including Prof. Settele who states:

“Ecosystems, species, wild populations, local varieties and breeds of domesticated plants and animals are shrinking, deteriorating, or vanishing.  This loss is a direct result of human activity and constitutes a direct threat to human well-being in all regions of the world.”

How much habitat fragmentation has happened?

The UN also released the fifth Global Biodiversity Outlook report in 2020, recalling Aichi targets set back in 2010 with respect to biodiversity goals. Its results are bleak: Governments failed to meet a single target to slow the loss of the natural world. It is the second consecutive decade that targets were missed. Whilst some goals were partially fulfilled with 44% of vital biodiverse areas now under protection (an increase from 29% in 2000); others, such as a leading target to halve the loss of natural habitats, were not met.

Where is habitat fragmentation happening and what are its effects?

The effects of habitat fragmentation are varied throughout the globe, yet they impact a wide range of natural habitats and species.  Here are some examples:

Natural Parks are abundant in Italy with over 20 National Parks and about 140 regional parks covering 10% of the land surface.  However, Cinque Terre, Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Parks are where the natural habitat fragmentation, due to transportation infrastructures, is much higher.

In the Brazilian Amazon, research has shown that fragmentation within Amazonia has led to changes in forest dynamics, structure, composition, and microclimate, making remaining spaces highly vulnerable to droughts and fires; not to mention intensive hunting within fragmentation further threatening wildlife populations.

Intertidal wetlands and mangrove forest habitats are also at risk. In Southeast Asia, a global hotspot of mangrove loss, research found conversion to aquaculture and rice plantations the biggest drivers of loss and fragmentation.

Ecologist Jodi Hilty, president and chief scientist of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), on the animals most at risk from habitat fragmentation

The first is migratory animals — these need to move seasonally to obtain resources.  Second are animals that are fewer in number and require large home ranges, such as grizzly bears and tigers.  And third are specialist animals that have very specific needs and don’t do well in altered environments — animals like orangutans, tigers and salamanders.

Wildlife corridors are one strategy designed to help nature deal with fragmentation. With habitat range size a strong predictor of species’ vulnerability to extinction, wildlife corridors help to link areas of wilderness together, thus creating larger spaces overall (Beyer and Manica, 2020). They assist in retaining, restoring, and managing natural connections and interactions across landscapes, whilst providing vital spaces for plant species to reside in and animal species to move through, find food, or shelter within.

Wildlife corridors are also known as biological corridors, green corridors, or habitat corridors. We can think of them as belonging to two main categories:

Naturally established corridors have been created by natural circumstances and may have specific geographical features such as mountains and dense forests. They might be entire expanses of land like plains or prairies; specific forest ecosystems such as tropical, temperate, and boreal forests; or even a flowing water habitat which includes a river and its banks, also known as a riparian ribbon.

Man-made corridors have been established by humans for supporting and maintaining biodiversity across many different environments.  The most common man-made corridors are the over and underpasses that were invented to avoid animal and human collisions via roads, but they also include smaller versions such as hedgerows on the edge of rural farmland.

There are two specific types of wildlife corridors:

Continuous corridors are large, unbroken strips of green corridor that lead to another habitat.

Stepping stone corridors are small patches of habitat that are connected by smaller wildlife corridors.

Wildlife corridors have three main purposes/effects in order to stabilise populations of species within local environments: 

Colonisation: species are able to move and occupy new areas in search of resources such as food, water and shelter.

Migration: species that relocate seasonally can do so safely, effectively and without humans impeding their pathway (or vice versa).

Genetic diversity: species have more mating options, which strengthens the overall population and reduces inter-breeding.

There are three types of corridor according to their size:

Regional (>500m wide): connecting major land masses such as migratory pathways.

Sub-regional (>300m wide): connecting larger vegetated landscape features such as ridgelines and valleys.

Local (some <50m): connecting remnant patches of woodland, marshes, and wetlands.

Rewilding Blog

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Why Rewilding is Needed to Restore Australia

Rock climbing and biodiversity

Rewild Your Garden

Reasons for Rewilding

Wildlife Corridors

The Return of European Bison

Save The Bees

What is Rewilding?

Wildlife in Ireland

Cave-dwelling animals and their conservation

Romania's Brown Bears

What Is The Sixth Mass Extinction?

Trophic Cascades

World Rewilding Day - 20th March

The 5 Best Rewilding Podcasts

Rewilding In Britain

Vultures in the Douro Valley

Nature-Based Tourism

Wild Boar

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Tree Extinction

Rewilding Scotland

Rewilding In North America

A Review of George Monbiot's Feral

Tracking Eurasian Lynx

Lynx in Britain

Aurochs and their role in rewilding

What is Climate Change?

Rewilding Romania

Rewilding Ireland

Saving Scotland's Wildcats

Deforestation

What is Biodiversity?