Ragwort, a plant that sparks debate among farmers and conservationists alike, presents a complex challenge in land management. While there's no legal obligation to control ragwort, responsible stewardship calls for a nuanced approach. This yellow-flowered plant, though toxic to horses, cattle, and sheep, plays a vital role in our ecosystem. It's the primary food source […]
The United Kingdom has been grappling with unprecedented rainfall in recent months, causing significant disruptions to farming practices and land management across the country. Between October 2023 and March 2024, England experienced its second wettest 6-month period on record, with rainfall nearly 60% above the 10-year average. This extreme weather has had far-reaching consequences for […]
There has been significant media attention this weekend, including in the Financial Times, Times, and the Telegraph, focused on comments from environmental groups such as the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, Green Alliance and Wildlife and Countryside Link. These organisations have expressed concerns that announcements in the Government’s growth plan to reform bureaucratic processes in the planning system, create […]
How changes in UK farming will impact biodiversity gains. Never before have we seen such massive change in UK farming. It’s happening now and affects all farmers, those in Oxfordshire being no exception.So what’s going on? There are a number of direct impacts, including two critical factors: a reduction in financial support and increased input […]
End of Day 4 progress on the wildlife pond in Bedfordshire James talks us through the progress at the end of week one of this wildlife pond project. For more on wildlife creation projects please contact james@james-gillies.com
Day 4 of the ongoing wildlife creation project. James talks us through his early morning onsite. Update on the wildlife creation project in Bedfordshire, creating habitat for fish, birds, mammals and invertebrates. For more information on ponds and wildlife projects contact james@james-gillies.com
James Gillies talks us through the progress on his Bedfordshire Wildlife Pond Project
Day two of James's wildlife pond creation project located near Bedford. James talks us through day two progress and how he decides how to create the pond, the essential equipment used. For more on wildlife creation projects contact james@james-gillies.com
James talks us though the first day of the wildlife pond creation project, how the project is set up and the equipment used. This daily volg of the project will help better understand the work in creating a wildlife wetland space. For more information on wildlife initiatives and how James can help you email james@james-gillies.com
Using drones and analysing drone footage is the best and fastest way for us to now survey and easily diagnose land management issues. Using drones saves time and money and enables us to quickly pinpoint any issues, survey inaccessible areas and to povide surveys of land and farm buildings. We also use drones to do […]
Buying your country property can be a big step into the unknown. Not only do you now have a house to look after, with all its unknown quirks that you’ll only discover gradually over the years, but also land that doesn’t look after itself in any tidy shape or form. And how quickly do grass […]
Perfectly working pond overflow on a wildlife pond we created last year. The pond is working perfectly, the inlet and overflow ensures the pond levels are kept so that the pond works exactly as designed and the banks don't become water-logged. For consultation and pond creation please contact James
James's thoughts on a walk in the countryside - thinking about the maintenance and habitat potential in dry stone walls. If you have a topic you'd like James to chat through, advise on or do a blog/ vlog about - please get in contact james@james-gillies.com
This week I was asked by a client with a small farm about the posibility of 're-wilding' - the short answer is re-wilding is only effective on a large scale. James explains more here... Contact james@james-gillies.com to discuss your land plans, big or small!
We are right in the middle of the tree planting season - it's shaping up to be a busy later end of the season now that we are at last getting some frost and hopefully less rain! With a bit of luck the ground will dry out now and we can crack on; planting into […]
There has been publication of new funding for small woodlands in 2020... James tells us more here. For more information on woodland funding - and project creation in general contact James to discuss how we can help you create a biodiverse habitat for wildlife whilst not needing to meet the financial obligations!
This is the first in a series of weekly blogs answering some of the questions I have helped clients with over the past few months. The information contained in these blogs may not be a full answer to your questions, if you require further information, please get in touch you link below. What sort of […]
Drones had received a bad press lately largely due to mis-use around airports however their usage in a land management capacity cannot be understated. Being able to survey large sections of land without disturbing the natural environment is invaluable, as is being able to access areas such as rooves without using ladders or cherry-pickers. Topographic […]
Ash dieback is a fungal disease affecting the common ash tree (Fraxinus Excelsior) and other Fraxinus species. It is caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus Fraxinus which is native to eastern Asia. The disease is now sadly widespread throughout Europe where it has been observed damaging ash trees for over 25 years. It was first […]
Wildflower Meadows for Wildlife. Inside Your Meadow. Meadows are wonderful, evolving entities. The first year of any meadow it has a huge array of beautiful annuals for colour, however your subsequent years are always a fantastic surprise as to what you will get. Different flowers will germinate in different years all dependant on the condition […]