Home / Environment / Belted Galloway Herd Grazes Berkshire Common to Restore Rare Heathland
Belted Galloway Herd Grazes Berkshire Common to Restore Rare Heathland
29 Oct
Summary
- Cattle return to Bucklebury Common in Berkshire after 80+ years
- Herd of 10 Belted Galloway wear GPS collars to track their movements
- Grazing helps trample down bracken and invasive plants, allowing heather and shrubs to grow
In a significant conservation effort, a herd of 10 Belted Galloway cattle has returned to graze Bucklebury Common in Berkshire, England, for the first time in over 80 years. The 266-hectare (657-acre) common, located northeast of Thatcham, is now home to the roaming herd, which is wearing GPS collars to allow their movements to be tracked without the need for fences.
The cattle's grazing and wandering across the common are expected to have a transformative effect on the local ecosystem. By trampling down dense areas of bracken and invasive plants, the heifers will create space for heather and dwarf shrubs to grow, boosting the numbers of heathland birds, reptiles, bats, and butterflies that rely on this rare habitat.
Visitors to Bucklebury Common are encouraged to give the Belted Galloway herd plenty of space and keep their dogs on a lead. The cattle's location can be tracked via a QR code, allowing the public to follow their progress as they work to restore the area's unique heathland.
