Restoring Kent’s Chalk Grassland & Wildflower Meadows
A Look Back and the Road Ahead
Here at Birling Estate, we have always believed that our landscape is more than just land – it’s a living, breathing ecosystem teeming with life. Over the past few years, we’ve been hard at work restoring our precious chalk grassland, and I’m excited to share both the incredible progress we’ve made and our ambitious plans for the future.
Chalk grassland is one of the UK’s rarest and most ecologically valuable habitats, home to an astonishing array of plants, insects, and wildlife - up to 40 species of flowering plants per sqm. Many species don’t grow anywhere else, including many beautiful orchids and wildflowers. These attract many insects and rare butterflies including the Adonis Blue and Duke of Burgundy. It’s also a powerful ally in tackling biodiversity loss and the climate crisis, storing carbon and creating resilience against environmental changes.
Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, a 2024 survey revealed some remarkable botanical finds on the estate, including:
Fly Orchid, Man Orchid, and Bee Orchid: These three stunning orchids are not just rare but essential indicators of the richness and diversity of our chalk grasslands. Finding them here is a clear sign that our restoration work is paying off.
Eyebright Hybrid: This rare hybrid highlights the delicate balance and unique character of our chalk grassland ecosystems.
Straw Belle Moth: Another fantastic find, an endangered moth species in the UK, found at only 10 locations across Kent and Surrey.
Elsewhere on the estate, we’ve achieved another exciting milestone. In 2024, 2 hectares of wildflower meadows were seeded to provide essential food for pollinators and increase biodiversity across the estate. We’ve also invested in a Flail Mower Collector alongside our Farm Cluster members, which allows us to manage the grassland for biodiversity. Beyond its maintenance benefits, it enables us to create green hay – a vital tool for re-seeding intensively farmed monoculture fields and restoring them to species-rich meadows.
Looking to the future, we’re turning our attention to two major new projects:
Restoring the final 25 hectares of SSSI-designated chalk grassland on the estate. These areas are of immense ecological importance, and we are committed to bringing them back to their full potential.
Restoring lowland grassland to herbal leys, creating a rich mosaic of habitats that blend biodiversity with sustainable farming practices.
Species-rich grasslands are far more than just a beautiful sight. Their intricate plant and insect communities support birds, mammals, and soil health while improving water retention and locking away carbon – essential benefits for combating climate change.
These projects are part of our long-term commitment to leave the land in a better state than we found it. The rare species we’re seeing are not just a joy to behold but a testament to the success of our efforts so far. We’ll be sharing more updates as these plans unfold, so do keep an eye out for news.
If you’re nearby, why not take a walk across the estate and experience the magic of these restored grasslands for yourself? The Fly Orchids, butterflies, and Straw Belle Moths will be there to welcome you – as will we.
