Grazing Trial Starts at Hazeley Heath

Hazeley Heath is one of the largest surviving remnants of endangered lowland heath in the north Hampshire. Due to the rarity and importance of its heath land plant and animal communities, the site is designated by Natural England as a Site of Special Scientific Interest . It is part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) due to its breeding population of the internationally protected Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Nightjar.

In 2007, after much public consultation, a management plan for Hazeley Heath was produced. One of the proposals was that a grazing trial should be established to evaluate whether or not grazing would be suitable in the future as a locally acceptable and sustainable approach to the management of the heath land. Grazing can have huge conservation benefits, and it is hoped that by putting cattle on the heath the desired mosaic of micro-habitats  essential for maintaining the richness and diversity of the flora and fauna can be achieved.

The trial, which has received funding from Natural England and the SITA Trust Enriching Nature project, will run over a five year period and will be managed by the Hart District Council Countryside team under direction from the Hazeley Heath steering group.

Temporary electric fencing was erected in April around the two trial plots, one in the north (in Mattingley parish) and one in the south (in Hartley Wintney parish). The two small herds of local cattle, which started grazing from mid-May, will be removed from the heath in September. Horse-friendly bridle gates have been installed at well used pathways into the grazing plot to provide continued public access.

Vandals Strike

Since the cattle have been put on to the heath the trial has been running smoothly. However, on Bank Holiday Monday the fencing was deliberately vandalised. This break in the fencing caused the cattle to escape from their grazing plot. Luckily the countryside team with the help of volunteers managed to lead the cattle safely back in to the area without any injury, however it could have been very different . Grazing trial ranger Lynda Bourchier had this to say:

“If the cattle are released from the grazing plot the consequences could potentially be very serious. There is a risk they may get on to the fast B3011 road and cause serious human injury, as well as potentially fatal harm to themselves. That is why this incident is being treated extremely seriously by the team and has been reported to the police as criminal damage. “

Hart’s Countryside Service has made an appeal to all users of the heath to be vigilant of anyone vandalising the electric fencing. If you see anything suspicious please call the ranger service immediately on 01252 623443 or alternatively call Hampshire Police directly.