Galloway cattle have returned to Thursley NNR. They arrived yesterday (3rd July) and will be on the NNR until August. They will then have a break during August and return in September.
The Photos below shows the 9 steers chomping away at the ground cover, which improves the lowland heath habitat for plants and animals alike.
The map above shows the area in which the cattle can roam. To summarise their compartment starts beyond (South) of the main and pine island boardwalks, runs over Shrike hill, it then runs past the dragonfly sculpture to the main bridleway which runs east west.
As well as improving the habitat, when the cattle find their water sources, there are three main ones, they will create further lower ground enlarging the ponds which is ideal for dragon and damsel flies and other aquatic plants. Removing the top growth has a big benefit for the many sundews on the common, which thrive in the wetter areas.
This year, for the first time, the cattle are fitted with GPS trackers and 2G collars. This enables staff from Natural England(NE and Surrey wildlife trust (SWT) to monitor the herds location remotely. It also establishes the boundary of their compartment, which the cattle learn through audible prompts, which is followed by a small electrical stimulus from the collar. This stimulus is approximately 4x lower than would be the case for an electric fence and it is administered by the collar. Rather than be to their sensitive nose, ears or face which is the case with an electric cattle fence. Since the compartment is set in an App, the staff can modify the compartment to add or subtract areas to ensure the cattle’s welfare. In terms of welfare, staff receive alerts if one or more steers, move outside of the compartment. They also get an alert if a steer has not moved for more than 4 hours.
As well as the NE and SWT staff, there are a further 12 volunteers, who will monitor the cattle’s welfare daily. The name for this role is “Lookering” and the volunteers are “Lookerers” two great words for scrabble.
The boundary of the cattle compartment is clearly marked on signage around its edge, where paths cross the compartment. You will see two signs one for walkers and cyclists and another for horse riders. It includes a QR code which will give you more information.
The NE staff or the volunteers maybe seen “Off PIste” from time to time, if the need arises. Ideally, they will stay on the paths also, but the must check that they can see and check each steer in turn. The volunteers will be wearing high vis or FOTC blue shirts.
If you have concerns over a steer, please call the SWT emergency number and a member of staff will respond. Please call 07817 769672.
The compartment this year will be quite close to the pine island boardwalk. This will give visitors a great opportunity to see the steers. They wont both you if you don’t bother them. But if they are close, do not approach them closely, they weigh 500Kg and do not like being touched. There is further guidance on the signage as you enter the compartment.
If you have any further question please please follow this link – https://www.surreywildlifetrust.org/blog/will-kelsey/no-fence-no-problem or contact FOTC admin and we will seek to answer as best we can.
Friends of Thursley Common NNR 