November 2024
A herd of Ancient Cattle of Wales owned by our Vice-Chair, Helen Upson, recently appeared in the media thanks to their role in improving the habitat for the endangered Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) at the RSPB’s Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, near Machynlleth. Helen uses her herd for conservation grazing, where the animals are used to graze at scales and densities that allow landscapes to become more varied and biodiverse, and to protect some specialist animals, birds and insects. In the case of the Pied Flycatchers, their numbers had declined by 59% between 1997 and 2022, but they have now stabilised at RSPB Ynys-hir since the Pori Bach herd have been there. This is especially noticeable in woodlands grazed by the cattle.
The Cambrian Times took up the story on 6th November 2024.
BBC Radio Wales Breakfast also interviewed the Reserve site manager, David Anning, on the 8th of November. (Listen here until 6th December, starting at 50:40)
(Picture: Helen Upson)