#151: Eycott Hill – Landscape in recovery

...in which we open Series 2 of Countrystride by exploring Eycott Hill in the northeast corner of the Lake District National Park – a landscape in recovery. In the company of Kevin Scott, Northern Reserves Manager at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, we learn about the reserve's extraordinary transformation – from near-monocultural sheep pasture to a thriving upland patchwork of wildflower meadows, species-rich acid grassland, marshes and mires.

Setting out from the hay meadows – in late summer bloom – we question whether traditional management techniques might be augmented for wildlife by swapping the mower for cattle. Pausing at a badger sett and heather stands – that bloomed again when sheep made way for Belties – we learn about the hill's unusual geology, and how that has shaped its diverse range of habitats.

Summiting the lowly Birkett of Eycott Hill, we marvel at the 270 degree panorama, get soaked in an unforecast shower, then get reflective, considering whether the concept of the shifting baseline is still relevant in conservation, why the economics of traditional sheep farming no longer work, and why 'rewilding' is a term Kevin avoids. We close by reflecting on what the transformation of the hill can teach us about approaches to land management elsewhere in the Lakes.

• More about Eycott Hill from CWT: cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/eycott-hill

View from the summit of Eycott Hill.

Mark on the summit of Eycott Hill with our guest for the day, Kevin Scott, Northern Reserves Manager for Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT).

Galloway Cattle, Carrock Fell beyond.

The ling, or heather. Switching grazing regimes has helped it flourish.

Beautiful Grass-of-parnassus – a.k.a Bog-star – is the county flower of Cumbria.

Approaching shower - driving up the Vale of Keswick.

Lone tree.