Three cattle from Grove Farm, Stitchcombe are taking their summer holidays at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve. The 3 young steers, 2 Herefords and one Shorthorn were born last spring. They will carry out conservation grazing munching through the dominant vegetation for around two months.
Anna Forbes from ARK(Action for the River Kennet) told Marlborough.news, “It’s nice to have the cattle back again. Children and grown-ups alike enjoy seeing them there. We are seeing the benefits of having the cattle summer grazing at Stonebridge. There is a better bio-diversity of plant life, a richer mix of wild grasses. This in turn creates a richer mix of insect and animal life.”
ARK request that visitors to the reserve do not approach the cattle or try to feed them. Dogs should be on leads throughout the reserve. Not only can dogs disturb the cattle, but during the bird nesting season (March to August) a dog bounding through the grasses on the river margins can harm wildlife. The Reserve has ground nesting birds and a breeding population of the endangered water vole. Dogs can kill vulnerable fledglings and water vole.
ARK volunteers will be observing the cattle daily but if you see anything untoward please contact the number on the signs posted in the reserve.
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