Rewilding project in the Cotswolds
Rewilding at Calcot & Spa
Green shoots....
We are blessed in this part of the Cotswold's to be surrounded by an abundance of nature and wonderful open spaces - right on our own green doorstep (of over 220 acres) over a period of the last 25 years slowly nature has been given the space to "rewild" through wildflower planting and organic farming practices. More recently in 2012 the planting of over 21,930 native trees and the creation of a new woodland area brought excited news of an increasing number of rare and endangered farmland birds spotted within our grounds as well as an abundance of butterflies, moths and wildflowers.
January 2024 we have welcomed our newest guests....a herd of Belted Galloways as part of our ongoing partnership with National Trust, Stroud Landscape Project- affectionately known as "Belties" these cows have become a popular feature across the Cotswold landscape. Acting as natural lawnmowers they’re experts at grazing areas that other livestock find less appetising.
Meet our rewilding champion
As the nature around us has been given the space to flourish, our Groundsman Steve and the Calcot team continue their mission to enhance the project further by creating and sustaining this opportunity for a better connection of the wildlife on our doorstep and to encourage our guests to explore and enjoy our wild space.
What's The Buzz?
Our five hives of beautiful Chew Valley bees enjoy the abundance of wild flowers and hedgerow to feed on throughout the summer months on our nature trail surrounding Calcot. In September we were absolutely delighted with our second honey harvest - our wonderful bees produced the most delicious Calcot honey... pure autumn gold!
Our Wildlife
It's meant to be Summer and the land surrounding us should be full of skylark song....a high pitched whistle with a rattling sound and these little birds hovering above their ground nests. Although we so still have lots of Skylarks nesting on our grounds, the wet Summer is dampening their enthusiasm to sing and are hunkering down waiting for warmer days....here's hoping! We're delighted to report our Barn owls have nested in our box again this year and produced two owlets, highlighting the fact that they are happy on our land and have plenty to feed on and bring up their young. Hoping the rain won't put the little owlets off fledging any day now.... Also spotted on the 220 acres this summer - some Corn Buntings, a rare farmland bird as well as Yellow Hammers....we've yet to spot any Stone Chats but we've got our fingers crossed!