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Sussex Wildlife Trust: Out, standing in their field.

April 1st, 2019
You can keep your tropical rainforests and your underwater reefs, for me chalk downland is the world’s number one natural wonder. This rare habitat supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife and it’s right on our doorstep.
For sheep, life is like one long festival. They’re either stood crowded together in a muddy field in the rain or running around in the sun trying to find the best grass.  Next time you’re walking around Lewes town centre look up at Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Malling Down nature reserve and you’ll see my woolly colleagues living the good life. But don’t be fooled. They’re actually hard at work on the most important construction job in Sussex; making perfect chalk downland.

You can keep your tropical rainforests and your underwater reefs, for me chalk downland is the world’s number one natural wonder. This rare habitat supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife and it’s right on our doorstep.

Paradoxically, wildlife-rich chalk downland is a man-made creation (well, credit where credit’s due – a sheep-made creation). Since around 800 AD sheep grazing has created and maintained our county’s iconic downland landscape. The short, sheep-nibbled turf is perfect for Adonis blue butterflies, burnt orchids and a multitude of other wonderful wildlife. But, like rainforests and reefs, it’s under threat; one of the main issues being neglect. Turn your back on downland and it mutates into long grass, brambles and thorn bushes and the butterflies and orchids vanish under the cold shadows.

Sheep are our best defence against this prickly invasion. Every bite and every hoof print creates downland with an ideal varied structure – impossible to create by uniform mowing. We have various rare sheep breeds in our grazing army stationed near Lewes at Southerham: Hebrideans, Wiltshire Horns, Southdowns, but my favourite sheep, baa none, are the Herdwicks.

Like all heroes, the Herdwick’s origins are shrouded in mystery. Some folk say they came to Britain with marauding Vikings. There’s some that say that the Herdwicks swam ashore after escaping the sinking Spanish Armada. Their ancestral home is the Lake District – it’s claimed that 95% of the world’s Herdwicks live within 15 miles of Coniston.

They’re tough sheep; hard grazin’ hell-raisers who are at home in harsh, hilly landscapes. If you like your sheep white and fluffy then you’ve come to the wrong field. Herdwicks are born black and develop white heads and legs as they mature. Their grey, wiry wool has an insulating undercoat – perfect attire for English hilltops. Feeding amongst thorns and thickets can leave their coats looking torn and tatty but this isn’t a cause for concern, just proof that they’re hard at work. For Herdwicks, grazing is a passion - not a fashion show.
www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk

By Michael Blencowe: Learning & Engagement Officer, Sussex Wildlife Trust.
herdwick sheep at Levin Down©Sussex Wildlife Trust.
herdwicks at Levin©Mark Monk-Terry
Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Sussex Wildlife Trust is an independent registered charity caring for wildlife and habitats throughout Sussex. Founded in 1961, we have worked with local people for over half a century to make Sussex richer in wildlife.
We rely on the support of our members to help protect our rich natural heritage. Please consider supporting our work. As a member you will be invited to join Michael Blencowe on our regular wildlife walks and also enjoy free events, discounts on wildlife courses, Wildlife magazine and our guide book, Discovering Wildlife in Sussex. It’s easy to join online at: www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/join or T: 01273 497532.


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