Directory

Access tools

News

20 Jun 00

RARE CALVES PROTECT POOLE'S WILDLIFE

A small herd of rare cattle are helping to protect valuable heathland and wildlife at one of Poole's new Local Nature Reserves.

Funded by English Nature, the British white cows named Corrine and Bolero, are grazing on wet heathland at Corfe Hills South and have produced 2 calves since moving to the site.

The grazing animals help to reduce scrub by nibbling young trees as well as breaking up and browsing the large grassy tussocks (Molinia). This helps to improve the diversity of heathland plants whilst allowing the heath to retain its open character and rich mix of local wildlife.

Owner and local grazier, David Maloney, said: "A female calf was born two weeks ago and the second was born last week. We don't have names for them yet but we are looking for something suitably unique!"

With around only 1000 of these distinctive white cattle left in the UK, the cows are a minority breed recognised by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Clive Whitbourn, Countryside Warden, Borough of Poole, said: "Corrine, Bolero and the calves are proving to be a popular addition to the new Local Nature Reserve, especially with children from the local schools who visit the site to learn about their local environment.....But we would ask visitors not to feed the cattle as this will stop them from doing a very effective job!"

The Corfe Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is one of a number of sites to receive recognition and protection from the Borough of Poole as a Local Nature Reserve. Other newly declared Local Nature Reserves in Poole include Turlin Moor and Hatch Pond.

Poole holds some of the UK's most precious heathland which provides an ideal habitat for rare species like the Dartford Warbler, Sand Lizard, Smooth Snake and Marsh Gentian. By reintroducing grazing, the heathland can be managed in a more environmentally and sustainable way.

-ends-

Editor's notes:
Turlin Moor, Hatch Pond and Corfe Hills were designated Local Nature Reserves on 30 May 2000.

Heathland is a semi-natural habitat created by man over 4000 years ago by local people clearing trees to provide grazing for their livestock. Cattle grazing locally started to disappear in the post war years and could be lost in less than 30 years if left unmanaged.

The hooves of cattle also help to bring seeds to the surface which would otherwise not be able to germinate such as the Bog Asphodel, an uncommon yellow flowered wet heathland plant.

The grazing is taking place at Corfe Hills South SSSI, accessible from either Fairview Drive or Birkdale Rd Broadstone.

Clive Whitbourn, Countryside Warden, tel: (01202) 261336