Nottinghamshire cattle forest grazing project marks 20th anniversary

By grazing the cattle help to maintain the environment

A grazing project using rare cattle to help maintain wildlife diversity is marking 20 years since it began.

A total of 72 English Longhorns come from the Thoresby Estate to Sherwood Forest and Budby South in Nottinghamshire since 2004.

The first groups began their annual change of scene on Tuesday, and their low-intensity grazing would help keep down bracken and weeds.

Site manager Paul Cook says the cows enjoy their work.

Mr Cook, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), added: "When they first come on site they're so excited.

"They've been spending the winter in the farmyard, and they can't wait to get back out into the forest and onto the heath.

"It's quite funny and a real joy to see them being freed into the forest."

The cattle are loaned from the Thoresby Estate

Mr Cook, who began working with the project soon after its beginning, said the English Longhorn was chosen because it was "quite a hardy breed" and due to their rarity.

With the animals "randomly grazing" a large area, he says they help maintain the terrain in a more natural way, reducing the need for machinery.

"The cows are doing an absolutely cracking job across both the reserves," he said.

"It's just a natural progression to bring these rare animals back in."

The RSPB is recruiting volunteer lookers to help keep an eye on the cows as they carry out their grazing to ensure none get lost.