A HEARD of around 20 cattle have been released on Ronkswood Hill Meadows, as part of an annual conservation exercise by Worcester City Council.
The cattle are being allowed free rein on the local nature reserve, to help preserve grassland and wildflowers.
The scheme is designed to act as a natural and cost-effective way of keeping the grass short enough to allow the vast array of wildflowers in the area to get plenty of sunlight to grow and bring colour to the landscape.
The cattle, consisting of a range of breeds including British Blue, Hereford Cross and Angus Cross, will be there until the autumn.
Warwick Neale, Worcester City Council’s Green Spaces Manager, said: “The cattle will be grazing at Ronkswood Hill Meadows for around six months to manage the grassland, protect the landscape and promote good conditions for wildflowers and associated wildlife to thrive.
“This also maintains some of the traditional benefits of natural stewardship of the land.”
The meadows are home to a wide range of wildflowers including black knapweed, cowslips and bird’s-foot-trefoil, but if grass grows too high these flowers will not flourish.
The cattle will play a pivotal role in boosting the flora, as well as producing other benefits including an increase in butterflies and improvements to the natural soil environment.
The City Council has put up signs on Newtown Road and Tolladine Road to warn walkers and dog-owners to take a little extra care and keep dogs on leads when cattle are nearby.
Warwick added: “The sudden re-appearance of cattle may take a few people by surprise, but the animals will be too busy chewing the cud to take notice of any passers-by.”
