In April 2023, Jamie Smith, North East Suffolk Warden, and the North East Suffolk team of staff and volunteers, installed a new cattle corral at Hen Reedbeds Nature Reserve. 

This new and robust enclosure, made of sturdy peeled chestnut, will play a key role in keeping the conservation grazing cattle together in one place, thereby maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of husbandry and welfare tasks.

Conservation grazing is a key element of the management of the nature reserve at Hen Reedbeds. The cattle’s grazing behaviour creates ‘lawns’ of short vegetation and structure in the marshes that benefit increased populations of visiting snipe and plant species such as cuckoo flower and marsh marigold; species which form a significant part of the ecosystem of the western part of the marshes.

Grazing parts of the marshes promotes the balance and health of the wider reserve for wildlife and also means visitors can enjoy a wealth of wildlife sightings and sounds.

Jamie says, “Cattle corrals form an important part of reserve infrastructure, having safe areas to carry out livestock husbandry are essential during the grazing months. Conservation grazing enables a wonderful display of flora across the marshes and is vital going forward to keep the habitat in optimal condition for years to come.”

We would like to thank the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) very much for their generous funding of the corral.