Cattle grazing to ‘safeguard future’ of Ditchling wildlife

Later this month, livestock will be back at Ditchling Common Country Park following a successful season last year.

The park’s rare grassland habitat has resulted from grazing by commoners’ livestock over the centuries.

Grazing in recent years has shown favourable results in improving the wildlife value of the park, which is a designated site of special scientific interest.

Signs will be in place informing visitors of the grazing and requesting dog owners to keep their pet under close control in the areas where livestock are present.

Areas of the common will be grazed in rotation, with large areas left livestock-free to allow for visitors who don’t feel confident walking in areas where the animals are present.

The animals keep bracken and scrub down by grazing, improving the environment for wildlife, including the rare species which inhabit the park.