Goat grazing To Maintain Heathland on Esher Common

Surrey Wildlife Trust and Elmbridge are working together on a conservation grazing project that will involve using a small herd of goats to maintain and increase the biodiversity of natural heathland on an area of Esher common. The Esher Common SSSI (site of special scientific interest) restoration and management plan was approved by Elmbridge in 2005 to restore 22 hectares of common back to heathland. As part of the management plan, it was agreed to carry out trial grazing to see how effective it would be to maintain heathland. A small area of Esher Common has been selected for this trial and temporary fencing will be erected to protect and confine the goats. 15 male goats will arrive this month and stay for the summer, grazing in a small paddock on the south side of Esher common. Whilst it's not true that goats eat anything, they do browse woody plants such as shrubs and trees; stripping the bark and eating the leaves. They will keep the birch, pine, gorse, willow and other invasive scrub under control, helping to restore and maintain the rare and precious habitat for wildlife on the common. Jo Saunders, ranger for Surrey Wildlife Trust, says that grazing with goats is an excellent alternative to cutting scrub by machine. Goats can selectively browse woody vegetation; leaving more sensitive plants unharmed and creating a wonderful mosaic of micro-habitats. We're really pleased that the team at Esher Common have decided to use goats to help with their heath restoration. Hamish White, Elmbridge countryside officer, said, “We look forward to working in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust on this exciting project. We believe this trial project will help us with our heath and restoration programme by controlling the scrub in this area. There are many benefits using goats for grazing as they are able to access land which we cannot control with machinery and help provide niche habitats for plants and animals. In the long term it will allow us to create a diverse habitat which is needed for the wildlife that relies on Esher Common”. If you are interested in becoming a goat 'looker', that is helping to keep an eye on the goats, or would like more information please contact Elmbridge's countryside team on 01372 474582.