Cattle have been introduced to Bouldnor Forest nature reserve near Yarmouth as part of an ambitious to restore 8 hectares of heathland in the West Wight.
The arrival of livestock marks a milestone in Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s plan to increase the Island’s total heathland by 50%.
Heathland is one of the Island’s rarest habitats. This open habitat is a product of scrub clearance and grazing – however recent years have seen heathland taken over by scrub and trees. Grazing with cows or sheep is an effective way to keep scrub and trees at bay, allowing unique heathland species to flourish instead.
Trust staff have been working hard over the past year preparing the site for their new arrivals – including erecting fencing, installing a water supply and creating access points for visitors.
Wildlife set to benefit from the restoration include plant species such as Pale dogviolet, Cyperus sedge, Ling and Bell heather, as well as unusual birds like Dartford warbler and Nightjar.
The initial restoration work was funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund. The West Wight Heathland Restoration Project was a joint initiative between the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the West Wight Landscape Partnership, the National Trust and the Forestry Commission.
Featured photograph: Jamie Marsh/HIOWWT