The Bucklebury Estate has introduced a herd of Belted Galloway cattle to carry out vital conservation grazing of restored heathland and wood pasture on Bucklebury Common – the largest area of rare lowland heathland remaining in the North Wessex Downs.
The heathland restoration and conservation grazing project is part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape ‘Partnerships for Nature’ programme, funded by DEFRA’s Species Survival Fund. The programme is restoring and enhancing a range of important habitats for rare and vulnerable species throughout the protected landscape. The project at Bucklebury Common covers 266 hectares of wood pasture, previously restored heathland and newly created heathland. It is expected to lead to a significant increase in a wide range of species, including heathland birds, reptiles, bats, and butterflies.
Cattle grazing on Bucklebury Common using a GPS ‘NoFence’ collar system
Ten heifers have spent the last six weeks settling in and learning the ‘NoFence’ collar system – an innovative GPS based system which allows for fenceless grazing. Members of the public can see the live location of the cattle using a QR code, enabling them to either avoid or seek out the cows.
The Common would originally have been grazed by wild herbivores and was then grazed by cattle. But since cattle grazing stopped after the Second World War the heath became overgrown with invasive birch, willow and bracken. These invasive plants have been cut back, allowing the rich flora that was once characteristic of our heathlands to recover.
Image: Belted Galloway cattle at Bucklebury Common with ‘NoFence’ collars, Alex Cruickshank
Heathland restoration
The Common would originally have been grazed by wild herbivores and was then grazed by cattle. But since cattle grazing stopped after the Second World War the heath became overgrown with invasive birch, willow and bracken. These invasive plants have been cut back, allowing the rich flora that was once characteristic of our heathlands to recover.
The cattle will be hugely beneficial to maintain and enhance these restored habitats. They will graze the Common in rotation, and trample down dense areas of bracken and other invasive plants. This gives the heather and other dwarf shrubs the chance to thrive, creating a rich habitat for diverse species.
Support from volunteers is an important part of the project, helping to check on the livestock and carrying out surveys and physical tasks.
Samantha Kerr, Ranger at Bucklebury Common says;
“I am really pleased with the progress we have made on this project. The heathland is recovering already, with seeds that have lain dormant for more than 80 years regrowing in the areas we have cleared. The cattle are a critical part of the project. Their unique grazing, trampling and dunging behaviours will complement the mechanical work on site, strengthening the resilience of the Common whilst benefitting rare and vulnerable species. The Partnership for Nature programme has played a significant role in restoring this traditional practice and has created the potential for Bucklebury Common to continue going from strength to strength.”
Image: Cattle on Bucklebury Common, Alex Cruickshank
Heathland and wood pasture important for rare species
Partnerships for Nature project coordinator at the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Tony Currivan says;
“There is very little heathland remaining in the North Wessex Downs, so this project is critically important for rare heathland and wood pasture species, including Woodlarks, the Dartford Warbler, Nightjars and Adders. The project has more than doubled the area of lowland heath on the Common from 33 to 66 hectares. The team at Bucklebury have worked incredibly hard to deliver the project over a short time scale and it’s fantastic to see the results – which will have an impact not only now but for generations to come.”
Image: Heather regrowing on Bucklebury Common, Samantha Kerr
Find Out More
Find out more about the other projects in our Partnerships for Nature programme here, and more about Bucklebury Common here.
The Partnerships for Nature programme is funded by Defra’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
