BORDEN POST (UK) 27 February 08 Cattle help rare toads
Highland cattle are helping to conserve the habitat of one of the country's endangered species, the natterjack toad.
The cattle are being used to graze back scrub and young trees growing in an area of Longmoor which is ideally suited as habitat for the rare amphibian.
East Hampshire District Council has given a £1,000 grant to The Herpetological Conservation Trust, the UK’s leading amphibian and reptile conservation charity, to help clear birch and willow scrub and make a pond.
“Now that we have cleared areas of scrub, the cattle play a vital role by grazing land around the pond to keep it in an ideal state for the natterjack,” said John Buckley, the trust’s amphibian conservation officer.
Councillor Judy Onslow, the council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said she was pleased the council couldhelp the trust because it was important to conserve an environment that enabled an endangered species to survive.
The HCT has a licence to manage some 100 hectares of land at Longmoor and works in close cooperation with Defence Estates in conserving the area, including through the grazing of cattle.
The natterjack – which features as part of East Hampshire council’s coat of arms – is threatened by habitat loss, usually caused by changes in management such as the reduction in grazing. It is also suffering from competition frommore populous amphibian species.
Heathland, because of its open sunny aspect and sandy soil, is a particularly warm habitat. As well as being important for the natterjack toad and reptiles, it also supports many other rare plants and animals, including insects and spiders. The most important remaining heaths are in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey and West Sussex.
Cattle help rare toads