These films show the transformation of a field acquired by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and its nurturing as an extension of the raised mire at the adjacent Nichols Moss. The first stage involved the stripping of turf, the creation of bunds, and the planting of sphagnum moss. The second stage involved creating a fen habitat, and was further enhanced by the work of many volunteers helping to embed plants across the site.
A feature of the latest drones that is fantastic for recording habitat restoration work is the ability to programme in a “mission”, which then can be flown an unlimited number of times. When it is time to edit it is then possible to merge footage from before, during and after restoration work to show clearly how the landscape has been transformed, as in the film above. Alternatively a splitscreen affect can be used to show the before and after simultaneously., which can be seen in the clips below.
The effect is at its best in the long term, when returning to sites after they have been completely settled and reinvigorated.
