Flowery home for rare calf

The flower-filled meadows of an East Dorset nature reserve are just the place for a new calf and her mum. A rare breed Shetland calf was born this month at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Bugdens Meadow reserve, just one day after the four cows arrived to graze the flower-rich meadows.

Why are Shetlands so special?

Shetlands, which are full size unlike Shetland ponies, are a hardy breed that thrives on poor pasture, making them ideal for conservation grazing. They are currently on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s ‘at risk’ list as numbers have reduced due to intensive farming.Dorset Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers from the local community have been working for a year on restoration of Bugdens Meadow, a 6 acre Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the centre of Verwood.

As a fine example of rare unimproved neutral grassland, it contains a high diversity of plants, including early marsh and common spotted orchids, and is a good site for butterflies. Work has included clearing large areas of the encroaching scrub that was shading out the once open meadow, and erecting fencing to allow for the return of grazing after a gap of over 15 years.

How do the Shetlands benefit the wildlife?

Noel Bergin, from Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “The return of grazing animals to this site is a milestone for the reserve. Shetlands are good at clearing scrub and cutting grasses, providing the ideal conditions for meadow flowers next season. The cattle have taken to Bugdens Meadow and the birth of our latest calf as soon as they arrived has to be a good omen!”

Noel added: “We hope local people enjoy seeing the cattle on the meadow, but please do not feed or approach them now that there is a calf with them. They are well supplied with both food and drink and checked daily.”

Please contact Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01202 692033 if you would like to help with volunteer work parties or with checking the cattle at Bugdens Meadow.

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Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Noel Bergin at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01202 692033.
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About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Dorset Wildlife Trust was founded in 1961 to protect the wildlife and natural habitats of the county and now has over 25,000 members and manages over 40 nature reserves. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve.

The largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues. It leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.