Introduction

The Trust was founded in 1994 by Philip Wayre, best known for the hugely successful otter reintroduction programme in Eastern and Midland rivers of England. The experience he gained in overcoming the many obstacles over the 25 years of the programme is serving the Trust well in this new project. Already the benefits of conservation management of the Trust's first property (see below) are evident, with the numbers of male Black Grouse doubling in five years. This has been achieved by careful timing of the grazing of the land by Galloway cattle and sheep so that birds are undisturbed but vegetation is not allowed to grow too rank.

Lintzgarth Fell, has been donated to the Trust by Philip Wayre. No money is spent on administration as this is done on a purely voluntary basis by dedicated supporters. The ongoing costs of managing the land are largely met by Government Conservation grants and letting of part of the grazing but no capital accrues for investment in further land. While the broad aim of the Trust is to encourage British wildlife and wilder areas, we see the practical implementation of this aim being best achieved by restoring (mainly upland) farmland to the condition it would have been in perhaps 100 years ago when farming and wildlife co-existed to a far greater extent than occurs now.

Aims & Objectives

Philip Wayre's Wildlife Trust is greatly concerned about the decline in wildlife over much of Britain especially in areas which are intensively farmed. In the uplands of the Northeast Pennines for example many species have declined due to overgrazing. One of the main aims of the Trust is to acquire suitable farmland, manage it more sympathetically and to add to the diversity of wildlife by providing safety, cover and areas of good feeding. For example one of the most characteristic animals of the English landscape is the attractive and mysterious Brown Hare, subject of so much legend and folklore.

Thousands of hares are shot annually and this is one of the major reasons for the decline of this attractive mammal. Philip Wayre's Wildlife Trust sees the conservation of the Brown Hare as one of its major objectives. Hares are found on the Trust's first wildlife reserve at Lintzgarth Fell and have increased in numbers since Philip Wayre originally purchased the farm. Birds, especially Skylarks, are numerous on this reserve and their numbers too have climbed since all grazing by cattle and sheep was discontinued during the months of April. May and June. Other species to benefit have been the breeding waders including Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Snipe and Dunlin for which the reserve is particularly important. The number of male Black Grouse displaying each spring on a well established lek at Lintzgarth has more than doubled since the reserve was donated to the Trust 5 years ago. The Trust is anxious to acquire further farmland particularly in the uplands so that it can build on this initial success.