Shepherding on the Stiperstones
Summary:
Stiperstones common lies wholly within the Stipertones National Nature Reserve, an upland ridge where grazing can help manage the vegetation (taking out saplings and control of shrub) to maintain a mosaic of habitat including heath, acid grassland and mire. A shepherding trial took place over two years, allowing for stock movement to less grazed areas and contact with the general public around the issue with loose dogs on stock and wildlife. The first year the shepherd observed where the sheep grazed. In the second year he set out to actively move the sheep around the hill to areas less visited by the two flocks. Turn out timings, the type of stock turned out, vegetation, terrain and the weather, and in particular the drought conditions in the second year, all influenced the success of the trial. Sheep can be successfully moved around the hill, but many factors have to play their part for it to be effective.
Aims and objectives:
to trial and investigate the benefits of introducing shepherding on the Stiperstones
comparing stock distribution before and after shepherding by creating a baseline of natural stock movement
in year 2 move grazing animals around the hill so as to encourage grazing on areas rarely reached
raise awareness of the issues around off-lead dogs
challenge non complying dog owners.
What did we do?
In partnership with Natural England, the site owner, we employed a shepherd to first observe and then actively move the stock to less frequented areas. The common is grazed by two families whose sheep flocks are hefted close to their home farms but who graze considerable areas of the total nature reserve. Armed with information from year one on natural (un-shepherded) grazing behaviour, sheep were moved by the shepherd to specific areas in year two.
Our shepherd, being on the hill frequently, engaged visitors and challenged a (very limited) number of dog owners whose dogs could be under closer control.
Issues and opportunities
The main limiting factors were the lack of sheep (late turn out from both graziers in year two and less sheep than expected) and the extreme heat resulting in watering holes drying up in areas we had wanted to push sheep to. For welfare reasons and the fact that sheep simply wont stay where there is no water, active shepherding was not as effective as we had hoped.
Lessons learned and key findings
Operations in year two were hampered by the timing of sheep being turned out onto the hill. And when they did arrive they were only a quarter of what was expected. With these timings and numbers a paid for shepherding service wouldn’t be financially viable.
Sheep grazed near their home farm after turn out for many weeks before venturing further afield. Closing off paddocks adjoining the hill would encourage the sheep to roam to seek out forage and not linger (and graze mainly) there.
Both graziers turned out mostly lowland sheep breeds as opposed to the hardier hill breeds which graze the Longmynd of the Clee hills. Changing to a hardier breed, suited to the harsh conditions and able to thrive on poorer grazing, may be a good option to extend the grazing season.
Shepherding ewes with twins in difficult (steep and overgrown) terrain was troublesome and had to be abandoned for welfare reasons (separating ewes and lambs and mismothering). If sheep are to be pushed to under grazed areas we suggest ewes with twins are not turned out onto the hill.
Both graziers turned out cattle who did a good job on managing the vegetation but they too have limitations as to where they can go and vegetation paths cut through thick shrub and gorse may improve flow around the site for both cattle and sheep.
Water supply is a limited factor in drought conditions, in this case making one side of the hill a dead zone as natural watering holes completely dried up. An alternative water supply should be pursued for that part of the hill to ensure water is available at all times.
Further Information
Read a full illustrated report of this two year trial.