In a scene more reminiscent of a heated protest than a peaceful nature reserve, Middle wick Ranges in Colchester has become the center of a fierce battle over the fate of its rare grasslands and the skylarks that call it home. The controversy erupted after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) authorized mowing of the 76-hectare site, sparking outrage among conservationists.
Martin Pugh, an ecologist with the Essex Wildlife Trust and a member of the Save the Wick campaign, confronted a tractor driver mowing the grassland on July 1. His attempt to halt the mowing led to a physical altercation with a security guard, captured on video, where Pugh was allegedly assaulted. The footage, which shows Pugh being chased and threatened, has since gone viral, fueling public anger.
The MoD plans to sell Middlewick Ranges for housing development, despite ongoing campaigns to preserve the site, known locally as the Wick. The area is a rare example of acid grassland, home to 20 bird species on the conservation concern list, including nightingales, as well as protected bats and nearly 1,500 invertebrates.
Conservation groups, including Buglife and Butterfly Conservation, have petitioned Natural England to designate the site as a special scientific interest area. They argue that mowing during the skylark breeding season, which runs from April to August, is particularly harmful.
The MoD defends the mowing, citing wildfire risks during dry summer months. They claim that 63% of the land will remain green open space. However, Pugh and other campaigners argue that mowing during this critical breeding period has dire consequences for ground-nesting birds. Despite assurances from the police that no wildlife crime had occurred, Pugh witnessed a skylark hovering over the tractors, a sight he found distressing.
As the internal investigation by Landmarc, the MoD contractor, continues, the debate over Middle-wick Ranges highlights the tension between development and conservation. The outcome will determine whether this unique habitat is preserved or transformed into yet another housing estate.