#30DaysWild No. 18. Today’s wildness was to spend a few moments with the cows. Agricultural rather than wild, you might think, but they are doing a valuable conservation job for us at Wheatland Farm.
Their munching is helping us boost plant biodiversity across Lower Newland Moor (the field with the Wheatland Farm wind turbine). This spring we were pleased to find bog stitchwort here as well as lots of cuckoo flower (and attendant orange tip butterflies). Soon, birdsfoot trefoil will be in bloom, and that’s important for several butterflies, including the common blues and dingy skippers, spotted at Wheatland Farm for the first time in 2019.
The cows are pretty friendly, if you stand still. The darkest one in particular will come and head butt you for a rub between the ears. Having arrived back in May, they’ll be here most of the summer, so if you’re staying at the lodges, be sure to drop by and chew the cud with the cows!
#30DaysWild Previously
This time last year: Caterpillars take over at the pond – sawfly larvae were munching the irises. They’re back again this year. But then so are the irises.
This time in 2017: A Zen Moment on one of North Devon’s lovely beaches.