Lively calves have fun on our reserves

7:20pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

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FOR many years, cattle have formed part of the management of many of the district's nature reserves. Their tireless consumption of the plant on the reserves contributes to the reserves' biological diversity.

On the heathlands, they break up grassy swards with their hooves, allowing the seeds of heaths and other heathland herbs the space and micro climates they need to flourish. This also provides the conditions many of the heathland invertebrates require. Their grazing and browsing insures taller plants are kept in check and the low growing woody plants like heather are not overshadowed by these. Out on the wetlands they carry out a similar function but they also rid these sites of the notorious nationwide pest of wetlands, Himalayan balsam.

I also feel that the cattle add a real boost to the appeal of visiting the reserves as unlike many kept animals, these cattle are living in a very natural way. The area of land each animal has to explore is quite large and composed of quite a mix of habitats, with woodland and scrub frequently breaking up the more open areas. This allows the cattle to pick shady places to sleep or even sunny spots to sunbathe, something you can quite frequently see them enjoying.

There is also a fair variety of different plants allowing the animals to choose different foods. When they have done their job in any one field they are moved on to another area. In many cases this is a simple matter of walking through one gate into the next but on some of the smaller sites this will involve a little human intervention and a short ride in the back of a cattle trailer. The cattle also live in small family units with mother and daughters often staying together. The cattle also give birth out on the nature reserves.

When a calf is first born, it rather unsteadily gets to its feet with mum often trying to help with encouraging nudges. The rest of the herd is never far away and they always show great interest in the new arrival. I have witnessed a few births now and thankfully all have gone well and they have all been real tear jerking moments as mum and calf start to bond. Then there comes the worrying bit from our point of view, as the calves usually go to ground, disappearing for long periods of time in amongst the dense vegetation, meaning you will need to have patience if you want to check all is still well.

After a few days, the calf can then be regularly found next to mum unless of course it ends up sharing its field with other young. When there have been a few calves born in the herd, the youngsters seem to stick together and can be seen playing and even resting as a little group.

I can remember when one calf was born in a field where there were three other young already a few weeks old there. As soon as the calf managed to unsteadily wobble to its feet it was immediately surrounded by the others who wanted to play.

They soon got a hefty shove from mum and looked on in bewilderment. But after a few days before this new youngster was eagerly joining in with the games of its slightly older herd mates.

This year, we seem to have more calves than any previous years with young now frolicking around in Hurcott pastures SSSI, Wilden Lane SSSI and the Rifle Range SSSI.