By John Maxen, Friends of Sunbury Park
At some point during May, it is likely that the cows will be returning to Sunbury Park to spend the summer chewing the cud and keep-ing the grass short, thus removing the need for mechanical cutting. Following the publication of a new management plan in early 2020, a more flexible and scientific approach has been introduced to their management. The main difference is that there are fewer cows (nine in 2021 vs more than thirteen previously) which seems to be about the right number to prevent overgrazing, they are also introduced a little later in the year and removed later than in previous years. The results of these changes are not always quick to appear, but it is often said these days that to maximise biodiversity, correct long term management is key, and that, together with the support of Spelthorne Borough Council, is what the Friends of Sunbury Park are striving to do.
What are the implications of these chang-es? Fewer cows reduce the possibility of overgrazing therefore reducing stress to the grassland. By introducing the cows later, it provides additional time for the Spring wild flowers to set seed and propa-gate, thus increasing the seed bank for the following year. Removing the cows later in the Autumn, when the weather is likely to be wetter, allows for open soil patches to be created as the cow’s hooves tramp the ground and, in addition, their method of grazing tends to rip up the sward. The creation of these open areas allow for an-nuals such as Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus sp.) to colonise. This parasitic plant in turn weakens the stronger grasses and allows less competitive wild flowers to colonise. Fungi are also able to spread more easily as their fruiting bodies with spores appear at this time.
Although The Friends, together with oth-ers, such as The Tree Wardens, as well as Spelthorne Council work hard to improve biodiversity across Sunbury Park, Orchard Meadow, and Hawke Park, we should not forget that our parks are already blessed with an abundance of wildlife. Anybody who has purchased any one of our three booklets, Birds, Wild flowers, and Grasses and just published, Butterflies, will be aware that a walk around any of our green spaces will pro-duce an immense variety that nature has to offer.
As you walk around any of our wonderful green spaces, perhaps with one of our book-lets searching for, or looking to identify a plant or bird, keep an eye out for anything unusual and let us know via The Friends of Sunbury Park Facebook site.
