[I]f you have a herd of sheep and goats that need some grazing land, then Cumbria Wildlife Trust would like to hear from you!
The Trust is looking for sheep and goats (and possibly Shetland ponies) to graze grassland and woodland at their nature reserve at Clints Quarry near Egremont. The available grazing area is approximately 3.6 hectares or just under 9 acres.
Kevin Scott, Northern Reserves Officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, explains why: “Clints Quarry (which was formerly part of the steel-making industry) is an amazing nature reserve, with a fascinating geological and industrial history. It’s been left to nature for many years and attracts some wonderful wildlife. In the summer there’s an abundance of wildflowers, and they draw some beautiful butterflies, including the orange-tip and common blue. However unless the grasslands are grazed regularly, dense scrubland takes over and these species aren’t able to flourish.”
Kevin goes on to explain why conservation grazing is the key for nature reserves such as Clints Quarry, with its species-rich grasslands: “Grazing is often the most effective and sustainable way to maintain these habitats and the huge variety of plants and animals they support. Livestock grazing has a less instantaneous impact than burning or cutting, so allows less-mobile wildlife to thrive. The grazing animals can also access areas that machinery can’t. This can be a win-win situation, as grazing helps us to manage this important nature reserve as well as providing good quality forage for livestock.”
If you think you can help Kevin with conservation grazing at Clints Quarry Nature Reserve, contact him on 01228 829575 or via email at [email protected]
