Wildlife is “returning at pace” to an estate near Skipton, according to the team behind an ambitious rewilding project.
Across two-and-a-half thousand acres at Broughton Sanctuary, trees have been planted, rare species introduced and wetlands restored.
The estate’s Nature Recovery team, which launched the scheme in 2021, said it had planted more than 340,000 trees, all species native to the area, which had in turn attracted insects.
The group’s Sarah Kinloch said: “When insects come you get small birds. Small mammals live in the long grass and so then you get birds of prey. So it just kick-starts everything.”
For the first time in living memory, all five species of British owl are making Broughton their home, the conservationist said.
Also returning to the landscape are sparrowhawks, red kites, kestrels, peregrine falcons and hen harriers.