Die Wiederverwilderung ist mit einem dramatischen Anstieg der Vogelzahlen in ganz Schottland verbunden

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Rewilding projects across Scotland are delivering dramatic gains for wildlife, especially birds and pollinators, according to new research.

The survey, which examined sites within the Northwoods Rewilding Network and was co-ordinated by the charity SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, found that areas undergoing rewilding supported far greater biodiversity than neighbouring land managed conventionally.

Across surveyed sites, suitable habitat for birds increased more than fivefold, while numbers of bumblebees and butterflies rose by more than tenfold. Separate analysis suggested the network’s landscapes now support an estimated 2.5 million pollinating insects.

# Birds on the rise in rewilded areas

The Northwoods network, established in 2021, links more than 100 landholdings across Scotland and has attracted £4.2 million in local investment. The new research compared rewilded and non-rewilded areas at 11 sites, with specialist ecologists conducting repeated surveys during spring and summer.

Bird surveys were carried out at five sites, while butterflies and bumblebees were monitored at a further six locations. Surveyors walked more than 120 km of transects, recording some 1,000 pairs of breeding birds and more than 3,000 observations of pollinating insects.

According to Dr Ross Macleod of Liverpool John Moores University, who analysed the results, the difference between the two types of habitat was striking.

„The results are astonishingly clear,“ he said. „On rewilded land, biodiversity surged across the board, with the number of bird species up 261% and their breeding territories up by 546%. For pollinators, the variety of bumblebee and butterfly species more than doubled, their abundance increased over tenfold.“

 

# Restoration pays off

Researchers also recorded higher numbers of species of conservation concern in rewilded areas. Birds including Spotted Flycatcher, Common Cuckoo and Eurasian Woodcock were found relatively frequently on Northwoods sites, contrasting with wider national declines.

The network promotes the restoration of native habitats and natural ecological processes across a variety of landscapes. Projects range from allowing native woodland to regenerate naturally to increasing wildflower diversity within pastureland.

Many participating landholdings combine nature recovery with commercial activity. At Comrie Croft in Perthshire, a former livestock farm and conifer plantation has been transformed into a regenerative farm and ecotourism destination that now attracts 50,000 visitors each year while supporting significantly more wildlife.

Northwoods Rewilding Officer Aidan Maccormick said the results provide strong evidence that the approach can deliver measurable ecological benefits. 

He commented: „These results show us that rewilding not only works but is extremely effective. Having more native habitats and natural processes leads to higher biodiversity, while also supporting businesses such as farming, tourism and recreation.“