Knepp Estate’s Birdlife Soars Thanks to Rewilding

Quick Smiles:

• Knepp Estate’s breeding bird population rose by 916% over 18 years
• Home to over a dozen nationally threatened bird species, including 1% of British nightingales
• Species diversity boosted for butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies

The Knepp Estate in West Sussex has transformed into one of Britain’s most biodiverse areas through dedicated rewilding, welcoming an incredible increase in breeding birds from 55 individuals across 22 species in 2007 to 559 individuals of 51 species in 2025.

Over a dozen bird species now flourishing at Knepp are threatened nationally, and the estate shelters 1% of the entire British nightingale population, offering rare wildlife sightings and hope for conservationists.

Owners Charlie Burrell and Isabella Tree shifted from struggling agriculture to wild restoration in 2000, with their efforts creating a thriving sanctuary for native megafauna and the rare European barbastelle bat.

“Taking our hands off the wheel,” Isabella Tree said, describing the project’s success as nature was allowed to recover freely.

Legendary birds such as turtle doves, peregrine falcons, and Britain’s five owl species have made the estate their home, joining 87 male purple emperor butterflies recorded in a single summer.

The restoration of the River Adur and surrounding wetlands has supported endangered plants, water insects, amphibians, and rare fish, enriching the local ecosystem.

By embracing rewilding, the estate now sustains itself through eco-friendly ventures like wild meat, camping, guided tours, and workshops, while biodiversity continues to blossom.

In 2025, an impressive count of 283 purple emperor butterflies was recorded on a single day, with dragonflies and damselflies showing a remarkable 871% increase since 2005.

Visitors often share tales of spotting white-tailed eagles, beavers, and storks interacting along the meandering River Adur—a testament to thriving wildlife at Knepp.

This remarkable transformation demonstrates how even modest landholdings, when restored to wild habitats, can make a meaningful contribution to nature’s revival.

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