Have you ever seen a cow grazing on a sand dune? Here’s why it’s happening in Merseyside

It may be a strange sight but the cows and sheep help bring balance to “one of Britain’s most important areas for nature conservation”.
By Petra Kendall-Raynor
Published 9th Dec 2021, 12:10 BST
Belted Galloway cow on Ainsdale’s sand dunes. Image: John Dempsey Belted Galloway cow on Ainsdale’s sand dunes. Image: John Dempsey
Belted Galloway cow on Ainsdale’s sand dunes. Image: John Dempsey

Sefton’s sand dunes are set to become home to some special visitors once again this winter as it is transformed into a grazing area for rare-breed cows and sheep.

Every year, animals are brought to the local nature reserves in Ainsdale by Sefton Council to help control vegetation growth and encourage diverse plant species to grow.

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The varied plants help rare species in the dunes such as natterjack toads, sand lizards and Northern dune tiger beetles to thrive.

Which animals will be arriving in Ainsdale?

This year, Herdwick sheep from Cumbria alongside Belted Galloway cattle from neighbouring Lancashire have been moved on to the reserve.

The animals will graze there until early spring 2022.

Herdwick sheep on Ainsdale reserve. Image: John Dempsey Herdwick sheep on Ainsdale reserve. Image: John Dempsey
Herdwick sheep on Ainsdale reserve. Image: John Dempsey

Green Sefton is urging people to act responsibly if they spot the grazing animals and dog walkers are reminded that pets should be kept on a lead within the fenced areas.

Why do we need cows in the sand dunes?

Gordon White, Countryside Officer for Green Sefton, said:“These grazing animals are an essential tool in the management of Sefton’s scientifically important sand dunes.

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“Not only do they help us to improve the condition of the sand dune habitats, but they really help to optimise the potential of Sefton’s important natural assets.”

Councillor Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Sefton’s coastline is one of Britain’s most important areas for nature conservation and has the highest level of protection under UK law as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its flora and fauna.

“Ongoing initiatives like this really help to enhance these important coastal ecological systems and also ensures that we are playing our part in mitigating the impact of climate change on our coast.”

Green Sefton officers managing a controlled burn of scrub.Green Sefton officers managing a controlled burn of scrub.
Green Sefton officers managing a controlled burn of scrub.

Other conservation work on Sefton’s sand dunes

Areas of scrub are cut down throughout the winter by Green Sefton rangers, with the help of volunteer groups. The stumps are then removed or burned in a controlled environment, only when weather conditions permit.

The Dynamic Dunescapes programme also continues to tackle areas of invasive non-native species at the Sefton coast, such as Japanese Rose, Japanese Knotweed and Sea Buckthorn.

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