Native or Non-Native? A Wild Perspective from Castle Wild Camp

When we talk about nature in Britain, the phrase “non-native species” often comes with a warning sign. From invasive plants that swamp ponds to mammals that reshape whole landscapes, it’s easy to assume that anything “non-native” are always a problem. But, at Castle Wild Camp, we like to take a broader view. After all, the story of wildlife in Britain is a story of constant change, movement, and adaptation.

Take the little owl, for instance. These charismatic, bobbing, bright-eyed birds are not native to Britain at all. They were introduced from continental Europe in the 19th century. Unlike other introductions, they haven’t pushed out native species or caused havoc in the food web. Instead, they’ve quietly slotted into farmland and woodland edges, becoming a familiar sight perched on posts and barn roofs. For many of us, little owls now feel as though they truly belong.

On the flip side, there are species whose arrival can cause big problems. Crassula, an aquatic plant often sold for garden ponds, is one of them. Once it escapes into the wild, it forms dense mats that smother waterways, blocking out light and oxygen for native plants and animals. Its spread can transform ponds from vibrant, diverse ecosystems into monocultures. These kinds of introductions remind us that not everything integrates smoothly.

But there’s also a middle ground. Take a look at the photo at the top of this blog: buddleia flowering in one of our fields. Buddleia (or “butterfly bush”) isn’t native to the UK, but its summer blooms are a magnet for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It’s hard not to admire the spectacle when dozens of peacocks, red admirals, and tortoiseshells are jostling for nectar. Yes, buddleia can be invasive in some places, especially on urban brownfield sites, but we're content that it's filling a niche and giving a feast to insects.

So where does that leave us? We believe it’s about balance. Nature has never been static. Species have always shifted and spread, whether by their own wings, drifting seeds, or - more recently - through human hands. Some of those changes are destructive, some are neutral, and some bring unexpected beauty. Rather than blanket rules, we try to look at each species, each situation, and ask: does this enrich the ecosystem here, or does it take away from it?

At Castle Wild Camp, we live alongside both native and non-native species, aiming to nurture diversity and resilience. Sometimes that means tackling invasive species like crassula when they threaten whole habitats. Other times it means letting buddleia bloom for the butterflies. It means celebrating little owls for the characters they’ve become in our fields and hedgerows.

The wild world is full of nuance, and part of the joy of rewilding is learning to hold that complexity. Nature rarely gives us simple answers, just layers of connection, change, and surprise.