And on the right... Dexters

Soon after the Hebridean sheep, other conservation grazers arrived - four very small, black cows and their calves. These are Dexters and are particularly suitable for grazing the grassy areas along the sides of the reservoir.

They are being raised organically which will ensure that the cow pats they produce are particularly attractive to insects. And the insects will, of course be particularly attractive to birds.

Martyn says that the long-term aim is to create the right sort of habitat to establish Yellow Wagtails as a breeding species on the reserve. The Dexters will "puddle" the edge of the water and help to keep the grass short during the winter - ideal for grazing wildfowl such as Wigeon.

Initially the cattle "did the business" in the area around the Anglian Water Visitor Centre and by March 2002 their presence was already making a difference: a Green Woodpecker was seen turning over the cow pats in front of the visitor centre and the area they grazed attracted Fieldfares, Redwings and Stonechats. When the animals were moved to a new area just to the north it was very noticeable that the Stonechats moved with them.

The calves grew fast and put on weight well - particularly Brian the learner bull, pictured left.

Welcome Rambo

More Hebridean sheep, including Rambo a young ram, arrived in the autumn of 2002. They were brought from the Fineshade Flock, where they had been grazing the Forestry Commission woodlands. The picture on the right shows them tucking in to the lush grass alongside Lagoon I soon after their arrival.

There were 22 Hebrideans on the reserve (before they began lambing in 2003!)

New year arrival

A totally unexpected arrival in January 2003 was a tiny Dexter calf - yes mother, Ella, is black and he was ginger! The calf, a male, was born just as reporter, Ben Jackson, from Radio Leicester was visiting to make a broadcast about the conservation grazing. As a result, the local radio ran a competition to find a suitable name for the new arrival. "Russet" was chosen from over 80 entries.

The new arrival proves that, nine months before, Brian the young bull was already doing what comes naturally!

By the beginning of July 4 young calves had arrived,

What a load of....!

A welcome arrival on the reserve in August 2003 was a prize-winning pedigree bull, joining the small herd of Dexter cattle that were grazing the edges of the lagoons.

At first his presence was resented by Russet and Brian, the young bull calves but, after a lively hour or two, a pecking order was established.

Grazing on in 2006

The pictures below were taken in May 2006. The Dexter herd and the habitat continue to thrive - and they look very scenic too!