Camping and Wildlife: Coexisting in Harmony

At Castle Wild Camp, we see daily proof that people and wildlife can share the same space without conflict. In fact, our monitoring suggests that when human presence is low-density and sensitive to the environment, wildlife can not only tolerate us - it can thrive alongside us.

This balance may echo the way humans once lived as hunter-gatherers, moving through landscapes without dominating them, coexisting with wild species in a shared habitat.

Observations from Castle Wild Camp

Our wildlife recordings show that birds continue to nest around our camping glades, with nest numbers increasing in the scrubby areas between pitches. These thickets of bramble, hawthorn, and young trees offer perfect shelter and feeding opportunities. It’s possible that the gentle presence of people, moving through the site, even offers a measure of protection, perhaps discouraging some predators from approaching active nests.

We've recorded bullfinch, whitethroat, and blackcap (amongst many others) all successfully nesting right next to camping glades, with young birds fledging and thriving despite nearby campers. One of our most memorable examples came in Bullfinch Glade, where a stoat made its den. The adults and young continued to hunt and play even when campers were present. We built a simple protective barrier around the den to ensure they had privacy and safety, and got on with life as if humans weren’t there.

Bigger challenges for wildlife

From our perspective, the main threats to wildlife are broader changes to the countryside that have happened in the last 50 years. These include:

• Increased agricultural intensity - Larger, monoculture fields with less space for wildlife.

• Repeated spraying of chemicals - Reducing insect populations that birds, bats, and other species rely on for food.

• Widespread habitat loss - Removal of ponds, hedgerows, and unmanaged field corners that once provided crucial shelter and feeding areas. (for example, in England it’s estimated that half of ponds and hundreds of thousands of kilometres of hedgerows have been lost in the past century - erasing habitats that supported a wide range of species.

A hopeful model

Our experience suggests that, when done with care, tourism and wildlife do not need to be in conflict. By keeping camping numbers low, protecting scrub and woodland edges, avoiding artificial lighting, and leaving wild spaces untouched, we are creating a site where visitors can enjoy nature and wildlife can continue to flourish.

We're a small example, but it offers hope: with thoughtful management, people and nature can thrive together.