Big Horns

These Long Horn Cattle are in the field which our garden backs on to. They have been put in the field to help with the management of the grassland in this important site. We went looking for them this afternoon as they were out of sight over the far side of the field and we wondered if they were still there. There are 8 of them and I was amazed at how enormous they were - and the horns were amazing. Fortunately they are very docile and seem well-adjusts to people wandering through their field.. Below is a little bit of information about the field which is part of the grade 2 listed Leasowes Park.

See more
Stennels Field
These wonderful areas of unimproved grassland are situated in the south of the park. The fields are classified as SINC sites (Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation) and are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Correct management of this site is very important or we may lose this valuable protection. The fields have not been 'improved' by drainage, ploughing, pesticides or fertilizers. This encourages unique flora and this type of habitat is rare in the region.

The SINC status was awarded due to the presence of ballerina or Pink Waxcaps, (Hygrocybe calyptriformis), which is often likened to a ballerina because of its similarity to a dancer's tutu. The waxcap, which is locally rare in the Midlands may be more common in the UK than anywhere else in the world. We therefore have a responsibility to look after it. These fields also have an historical interest as they have been grazed for over 200 years, and possibly for far longer.

LONGER HORNS