Rare sheep grazing trial hopes to boost wildlife

Ten rare sheep are being used as part of a council's first conservation grazing trial to try and enhance biodiversity and support nature recovery.

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has teamed up with Sutton Valence Parish Council and a local shepherd to introduce the Portland sheep to a two-and-a-half-acre site in Sutton Valence, Kent.

The trial offers a natural, sustainable alternative to traditional mowing, reducing costs and promoting ecological benefits, according to MBC.

Rachel Rodwell, cabinet member for climate transition and nature recovery, said: "This trial is a fantastic example of working with nature rather than against it."

She added: "By using Portland sheep, we're not only protecting young trees, but also creating habitats for insects, birds and wildflowers.

"We hope this inspires others to explore similar nature-based solutions."

The council said Portland sheep were "hardy and well-suited to rough terrain, tackling thistles and coarse grasses that conventional mowing struggles to manage".

It added that the sheep's grazing helped prevent meadow growth from overwhelming young trees, giving them the best chance to thrive.

The sheep's dung also supports insect populations, which in turn provides food for birds, and their wool can be used by birds for nesting material, the council added.

It said by introducing sheep during the autumn and winter when the trees were dormant, the meadow could flourish in spring and summer without the need for "intensive mowing regimes".

"Traditional mowing of the site would require strimming due to closely planted trees, costing significantly more than a ride-on mower," the council added.

In 2022, more than 2,000 native trees were planted on the parish council-owned land and residents said they had seen a surge in wildlife since.

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