Sheep have returned to graze on London’s Hampstead Heath for the first time since the 1950s.
The flock of five Norfolk Horn and Oxford Down ewes will roam the anthill site on the Heath’s Extension from 8am to 7pm each day until Monday.
The rare breed sheep, which will be stabled locally overnight, are on loan from Mudchute City Farm on the Isle of Dogs in east London as part of conservation efforts.
Sheep were a familiar sight on the Heath up until the 1950s and the organisers hope their return will help control scrub, encourage plant diversity, and create valuable habitats for wildlife.
Grazing livestock tend to leave some growth, due to selective feeding and social habits, creating a patchworks of microhabitats that encourage biodiversity.
They also control the scrub in a much slower, less aggressive way than large-scale mowers, giving wildlife more time to move to other areas within their habitat.
The project is being run by the City of London Corporation in partnership with the Heath & Hampstead Society, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and Heath Hands.
Chair of the City Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, Alderman and Sheriff Gregory Jones, said: ‘The return of grazing sheep is a nod to Hampstead Heath’s rich heritage, while providing real benefits for biodiversity.
‘These farmyard favourites help maintain a healthy mosaic of habitats without the need for heavy machinery that could damage these sensitive ecosystems, and by nibbling around the anthills they also help provide a natural food source for green woodpeckers.
‘As a reminder, we ask visitors to keep dogs under effective control around the grazing area to ensure the safety and welfare of these animals.’
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