News

NEW SHEEP HOUSING BENEFITS STOCK, HEATHER AND WILDLIFE IN CUMBRIA

6th February 2001

2000 acres of heather moorland are set to benefit from a major reduction in grazing pressure during winter months due to a new sheep housing system at Crossgill Farm on the Garrigill Estate, Cumbria. The shed has been 40% grant aided by the Northern Upland Moorland Regeneration Project (NUMRP) with the remaining capital input from Mr Jake Morley, estate owner and Moorland Association Committee Member.

Heather moorland is one of the most threatened habitats in Europe and 75% of the remaining resource is found in Britain. It is internationally important for supporting a raft of wildlife and, in particular, rare ground nesting birds such as the golden plover and merlin, which rely on the heather for food and cover. When too many sheep are left to graze on heather moorland over the winter months the plant suffers extreme damage that can cause it to die off.

Said Jake Morley, “ The estate includes some of the highest and most exposed areas in The Pennines, parts of which often become snow covered. In the past the sheep have been forced to concentrate on a lower area of the moor to graze while snow lies too deep on the top. With winter pressure off the hill, the heather habitat will soon improve for grouse, upland nesting birds and sheep. In time, increased revenue from grouse shooting may enable us to employ another full time gamekeeper.”

Being able to house 500 sheep inside during the worst of this weather will improve the health and welfare of the ewes and may also improve the rate of lamb survival by up to 6%. This will benefit the economics of the farm and make feeding much easier for the farmer.”

Said Kath Milnes of English Nature’s Cumbria Team, “ Garrigill Estate forms part of Moorhouse and Cross Fell Site of Special Scientific Interest, an area of national and international importance for both its upland vegetation and the moorland birds that these habitats support. The land managed by the estate supports a wide range of upland breeding birds, including significant numbers of the rare and declining Black Grouse, which has its English stronghold in the North Pennines. Reducing the grazing pressure on the moorland will allow the heather to regenerate and enhance the condition of the habitats present.”
Said Philip Bull, Manger of the Northern Upland Moorland Regeneration Project, “The sheep building at Crossgill Farm is part of a wider reaching 10 year management plan drawn up for Garrigill which includes stock fencing, heather re-seeding, small scale shrubby woodland planting and improved access onto the moor for farming and sporting activities. In Cumbria we have offered technical support and funding for six other estate plans securing the future of over 23,400 acres of heather moorland in the region while protecting farm incomes.”