Tom Davis, Farm Manager at Mudchute, writes:
In late August, six ewes from the Mudchute flock spent a week taking part in a conservation grazing trial in Green Park. While they are far from the first woolly lawnmowers to the park, they do mark the return of sheep to the park for the first time since 1939.
Mudchute is proud to be a part of the project in partnership with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and The Royal
Parks. The grazing trial is an aspect of the Royal Parks “Mission: Invertebrate” project, funded with help from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Our sheep will be helping to manage the meadow for wildlife by grazing scrub and coarser grasses and vegetation, allowing other species to thrive and improving biodiversity of both flora and the many animal species living within these environments.
The six ewes represent four native breeds from the Mudchute flock: the Oxford Down, Whitefaced Woodland, Southdown and Manx Loaghtan. Unlike commercial breeds who rely on feed supplements, these native breeds thrive on a wide variety of grazing including tougher grass and will trample in the seed that has dropped from the wildflowers in the meadow.
You can find out more about our project partners by following the links above and read more about the project, with lots more photos, on the Mudchute blog!
