Walk & Talk: Conservation Grazing at Darnaway Forest, Moray Estates
Member Rates
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Moray Estates recently introduced a small herd of hardy cattle – Highlanders and one Shetland cow – to graze select areas of the Darnaway Forest within the Special Protection Area for capercaillie. The grazing and dunging of small areas improves ground flora and habitat for the endangered capercaillie, as well as delivering numerous other benefits for wildlife. Every cow has a GPS-linked collar, which keeps them within a specified area that is defined on a linked app. This creates a ‘virtual field’ which avoids the need for fencing. The collars also allow the cattle to be tracked.
The Walk & Talk will include:
- Going to see the cows in Darnaway Forest
- Visiting the previous location(s) of the cows so participants can see the impact
- Discussing the implications for forestry, deer culling etc. Benefits for other land management activities
- Viewing the app and how it works on a phone or tablet
- Discussing how the project could be expanded on other estates, for example to improve habitat for black grouse and other upland birds
- Discussing the predator control and diversionary feeding projects which benefit capercaillie within a commercially managed woodland
Event programme
| 10:00-10:30 | Meet at the Moray Estates Office. Registration/tea and coffee. |
| 10:30-13:00 | Walk in Darnaway Forest to see the cattle. Various stops to look at the habitat, discuss the impact on other land management activities. |
| 13:00 | Return to cars; depart. |
This event is free of charge to SLE Members, but booking is essential through the SLE website.
Address and directions
Moray Estates Office, Berryley, Forres IV36 2ST
What3words
puff.snoozing.oath – location of Moray Estates Office
Google pin: Moray Estates Office
Additional event information: This event will take place outdoors so please bring suitable clothing and footwear.