Species Counts 2024
Over a long weekend, running from 12th-15th July, a group of Vegan Land Movement volunteers visited five of the six areas of VLM land removed from animal agriculture, to record the 2024 Species Counts. We were greeted by the sight of a multitude of species who had moved onto these previously monoculture grazing plots.
Once again there has been so much growth on the land since last year and an abundance of life was observed, witnessed and recorded. It was a humbling and beautiful experience, which we have tried to capture in photographic form below.
Cinnabar Moth caterpillars and Four Spotted Chaser Dragonfly
Important note: We were incredibly careful and carried out these counts with respect and sensitivity.
When we saw certain species we promptly moved away from them and did not return to where they were sighted. This species survey was undertaken gently and without harm, other than the moving of foliage where necessary to carefully access areas. The two young roe deer fawns seen on plot 4 and plot 5 were discovered by hearing and seeing the foliage move and witnessing a doe run from both areas. In both cases, the spotted fawn was witnessed heading deeper into the undergrowth. Unfortunately we did not manage to get a photograph of either fawn and the image we have shown is for identification representation.
We saw a dramatic increase of species on all sites as can be seen in the attached flora and fauna survey data spreadsheet. Overall we recorded an incredible 145 animals and 121 plants:
2 reptiles species 4 mammal species 91 insect species 23 bird species 10 mollusc species 14 arachnid (spider) species 1 amphibian species
This translates to an overall approximate increase of 383% in fauna species and an increase of 73% in flora species on the same plots since 2022.
The numbers recorded are just a selection of the species that have colonised these parcels of land removed from dairy grazing, species that the VLM volunteers observed, photographed and successfully identified. There are of course hundreds, if not thousands of others that would have been hidden, out of sight, or nocturnal or too small to see with the naked eye.
Below is a snap shot of all the species photographed and recorded:
Below are the birds seen or heard and identified by a local volunteer and ornithology expert, Pete, who meticulously recorded their songs and knew where to look for certain species.
Butterflies and moths had greatly increased too. Below is a selection of the butterflies and a few of the moths recorded.
This year we had an amazing group of dedicated volunteers with keen eyes and sharp cameras. Take a look at this incredible image of Shield Bug eggs.
Azure Damselfly and Wasp Spider
During this visit we also undertook a baseline species count of plot 6 which the VLM removed from dairy farming in May 2024. After buying this area of land we were informed that this 11.2 acre field had been used to shoot wildfowl and cull badgers.
The baseline species records taken clearly show that plot 6 is being used by nearby badger families for foraging and daily occupation. Several badger latrines were discovered alongside foraging pathways, runs and tunnels through long grasses. We have not yet seen the badgers as they are, of course, nocturnal. (The image displayed here is an identification representation.) Last week the local sab group recently set up some camera traps to hopefully record the badgers’ nocturnal activity via infrared sensors. We also aim to set some cameras up on this site this coming winter so that the local sab group will be able to monitor those too and send us footage which we can share at a later date.
Did you know?
Badger’ keen sense of smell is about 800 times sharper than our own. Perhaps because of their powerful noses, badgers keep their homes in tip-top shape be creating a latrine pit as a bathroom. They won’t defecate in their homes, instead making a pit out of dried grass and leaves just outside their burrow.
We have not yet seen the badgers as they are, of course, nocturnal. (The image displayed here is an identification representation.)
Badger Latrines found on plot 6
As many of you may be aware, in July we campaigned and won at another auction to remove the field adjacent to plot 6 to give these badgers a larger safe haven of 15 acres. We will record the species on this plot in 2025 (plot 7, which will be joined to plot 6.)
This year we only recorded species on five of the plots and we did not even attempt to record species on plot 2 this summer because this 7-acre site has now become impenetrable and well and truly rewilded. We were unable to gain access from the overgrown gate and through the dense vegetation of this plot. It is also a site that has an expected water vole population due to low-lying areas now forming ponds.
Next year a few of us will venture into this site to see if we can film the water voles and other animals who will be now living there.
This incredible surge in life and biodiversity was only possible due to the land being freed from harmful farming industry practices and for which we are incredibly grateful to all who have donated, as it is you have helped create these rich new habitats for wildlife species, many of whom are endangered.
We need to keep on creating these nature havens all over the country to help species in decline and to mitigate against the effects of the climate crisis and ecological and biodiversity crisis.
If you would like to help us with this mission and find out more information about becoming a member of the Vegan Land Movement and donating monthly to help save lives, wildlife and help the planet, please click the link below:
If you want to spring into action and help the VLM with their next land purchase please visit:
“Thank you all for your support.”
– The VLM Team