Rare breeds help improve meadow

Longhorn cattle grazing on the meadow at Wardley
Longhorn cattle grazing on the meadow at Wardley

Gateshead Council is using rare breed animals to help restore a wildflower meadow to its former glory and encourage the return of wildlife.

This winter grazing rare breed Hebridean sheep and longhorn cattle from Bill Quay Community Farm have been used to help put the magic back into a wildflower meadow at Wardley.

Nearly all of the wild flower meadows in Britain have been lost over the last 80 years due to development, intensive agriculture and forestry. This is already changing in Wardley thanks to Bill Quay Farm’s furry friends.

Livestock grazing allows wild flowers to prosper, benefitting a wide range of insects and other animals. This form of management has encouraged breeding skylarks to return to the site.

The improvements to the Wardley meadow play a significant part in the implementation of the Durham Biodiversity Action Plan, which Gateshead Council has supported for many years as part of the Durham Biodiversity Partnership. The action plan exists to help threatened species and habitats and one part of this involves the restoration of flower rich grasslands.

Gateshead Council cabinet member for the environment, councillor Martin Gannon said: "It is always sad to see natural habitats destroyed and it is estimated that a staggering 95 per cent of this country’s flower rich meadows have been lost since the 1930s. As a member of the Durham Biodiversity Action Partnership we are committed to reversing the decline in species and habitats.

"It is brilliant news that skylarks can once again be heard singing over the meadow at Wardley and in time I hope that a number of important species will also benefit from the improved management of the site."

The site has not only been significantly improved for wildlife in recent months, but for visitors too - as well as enjoying the spectacle of rare animal breeds, they are now also benefitting from new footpaths and the planting of native hedgerows.

Gateshead Council’s countryside volunteer rangers have also helped to improve existing footpaths across the site and removed hundreds of metres of old derelict post and wire fencing.

The Council is in seeking funding to deliver additional environmental improvements to further enhance the site for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

The meadow at Wardley is ten hectares, which is the equivalent of more than 12 football pitches. It borders Pelaw Quarry Pond and can be accessed via the Bowes railway path, a popular route for walkers and cyclists.