Cattle on the Wetland

As part of the survey of the wetland conducted on Tuesday, we were discussing the best management of this habitat. Martin, an experienced freshwater and invertebrate ecologist, advised us that the best management for the area is grazing and cutting; following the same regime that we have over the past few years.

Grazing with cattle allows scrapes to develop in the sward as well as helping to control the growth of coarse grasses; this provides open space for seeds to germinate and promotes a diverse ground flora. As the cattle walk in the edges of ponds they create small, open areas of water surrounded by mosses and sedges, this creates ideal conditions for invertebrate life to flourish. This afternoon Duncan from Big Sheep Little Cow in Bedale delivered two Dexters to the wetland to help us manage this habitat over the next few months.