Some of the famous North Norfolk Bagot goats have headed south to continue their valuable conservation and habitat-management work.
The 15 billies have been sent on a long-term loan to heathland near Thetford, on land looked after by Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
The loan follows the sale of a group of billies to Suffolk Wildlife Trust last year.
Cllr Sarah Butikofer, Leader of North Norfolk District Council, said: “We’re delighted that the wildlife trusts see the same potential benefits as we do.
The goats are a cost-effective way of managing vegetation and vulnerable habitats, and they act as a draw for tourists, too.”
John Milton, Head of Nature Reserves at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: “We are grateful to North Norfolk District Council for loaning us the 15 Bagot goats.
“For some time we have wanted to experiment with grazing by goats to deal with bramble and gorse, which are a particular issue on some areas in the Brecks restored to grass heath from forestry.”
NNDC’s herd of goats spend the summer on Cromer cliff, where they have provided a cheap and easy way to keep the undergrowth under control. Nine nannies and three nanny kids are currently grazing at Salthouse Heath, getting ready for their next shift back at the seaside later this year, and the herd is expected to welcome some new kids in the next few days.
The Bagot is a rare breed, so the council and the wildlife trusts are playing a key role in securing the breed’s future.
North Norfolk District Council’s Chairman has invited Norfolk Wildlife Trust to be his Charity of the Year, with money raised supporting conservation grazing and family learning.
Dr Clive Stockton has a personal life-long association with nature and wished to support a charity that specifically works to conserve the fragile habitats of Norfolk and raise awareness of the importance of wildlife.
Funds raised by NNDC will be used in two key areas of NWT’s work across Norfolk: to support conservation grazing with rare native breeds and to extend engagement with young children in Sure Start centres.
Conservation grazing with native breed cattle, sheep and ponies protects important areas for wildlife. Without regular grazing, many of our rare and fragile habitats and the species they support would be at risk of being overwhelmed by more dominant plants. NNDC has already shown its own commitment to conservation grazing through the establishment of its Bagot goat herd, 15 of which are on long-term loan to NWT in the Brecks.
It’s official: North Norfolk continues to have some of the best beaches in the country.
The beaches in Cromer, East Runton, Mundesley, Sea Palling, Sheringham and West Runton have all been awarded prestigious Blue Flags for another year – and that means the 45-mile North Norfolk coastline is home to half of all the Blue Flag beaches in the east of England.
The awards are given out only to those beaches that have the highest quality of water, facilities, environmental education and management, with superb levels of cleanliness and safety. It means the hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors who visit North Norfolk’s beaches each year can be sure they are enjoying top-notch destinations.
North Norfolk is the only district in the county that has been awarded any Blue Flags this year.
Councillor Margaret Stone, Chairman Norfolk County Council and Councillor Judy Leggett, Chairman Broadland District Council and children from Fairhaven Primary School visited Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham on Friday, April 5, to plant a new bed of primula denticulata, the drumstick primula, to mark English Tourism Week.
Louise Rout, Manager, Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden said: “The new primulas border will enhance our wonderful collection of primulas, which are at their best during the second of May. I would like to thank the Chairman of Norfolk County Council and the Chairman of Broadland District Council, along with the children from Fairhaven Primary School for helping us celebrate English Tourism Week. The new primula border will enhance our wonderful collection of primulas, which are at their best during the second of May.
The number of kids born as part of North Norfolk District Council’s Bagot goat-breeding programme has hit a final tally of 12.
The dozen baby animals are all doing well and are enjoying life with their new friends as the herd prepares for another busy summer of habitat management.
The goats have also become a tourist attraction, and the 12 baby Bagots are sure to prove a hit with the public when they head to Cromer later this year.
The latest additions to the popular herd were a bit wobbly on their feet to start with but the adorable kids are now settling well into Norfolk life, and they will be the stars of a forthcoming slot on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today programme.